Calgary Lot Selection: Things to Consider Before Buying a Lot

You may have heard of a small town in Alberta that sold lots for only $10. This small town made the news not long ago. While purchasing a lot for $10 might sound like a dream come true for many people, the truth is that most lots in Alberta are costly. So if you are planning on building a Calgary custom home, finding and purchasing the perfect lot is your first step. And the best part? It’s much simpler than it sounds.

To make the process easier for you, Riverview Custom Homes has compiled a short list of things to consider before purchasing a lot. Regardless of whether you wish to build your house the DIY way or hire a custom home builder in Calgary, lot acquisition is something that you will have to go through.

And it should begin by asking yourself a few questions:

Do I have kids? Or plan to have kids?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, then purchasing land in a neighbourhood that is both safe for kids and relatively close to a school is something you should consider. In addition, if you have kids (or plan to have kids), then a properly located home will make everyone’s lives much easier and more convenient.

What is the terrain like?

Ideally, you would purchase relatively flat land, but terrains come in all shapes and sizes. If the land you are interested in is located in an area especially prone to flooding in Calgary, consider where you would build your house and how its location could worsen (or help) the situation in the event of a flood.

How are the roads? How can I access the land?

This question is essential if the land that interests you is located outside the city. Is it near public transportation and/or a public road? Are you willing to commute every day to work? If yes, how long is too much? Of course, you might want to ask yourself dozens of other questions before purchasing land, but beginning with these will surely put you on the right path!

Lot Selection: Putting it all together

The proper lot selection will be based on your needs, wants, and lifestyle preferences. When you know what you want in a neighbourhood, and more notably, why it’s important to you, it becomes easier to make the right decision. At Riverview Custom Homes, we are an award-winning group of experienced architects and designers specializing in design concepts.

Our team’s custom-home knowledge base spans from contemporary to traditional. So, connect us today to see how we can help build your dream home.

Custom Home vs Production Home: Which is Best For You?

Building your dream home is one of the most exciting experiences of your life. From finding your plot of land to seeing your home rise to receiving the keys upon completion, it is a process riddled with ups and downs. And once you commit, a simple question must be answered.

Will you choose a custom home builder or a production home builder?

Both have advantages, but how do you know which option is best for you? Riverview Custom Homes is Calgary’s luxury custom home builder. As an award-winning group of experienced architects and designers, we want to help you understand the differences between custom and production homes, so you can decide which option is best for you.

Custom Home Benefits

A custom home is precisely what its name suggests, a home that is uniquely yours, fully customized to your needs, wants, and preferences. This one-of-a-kind home is constructed exclusively for you. Everything from the design to the location is all within your expression domain. And while the custom home builder may use blueprints produced by an expert home designer or architect, the final call for the house’s layout, size, and design is under your guidance.

While the most obvious advantage is the personal expression and customization aspect, many other benefits exist, such as:

Flexibility with your budget
Quality of materials
Customizable options
Design a home to match your lifestyle
Make your home eco-friendly
Greater sense of pride and satisfaction

Production Home Benefits

A production home uses a specific house design that has been repeated with many other homes. Production homes are commonly found in neighbourhoods that large-scale home builders constructed. Substantial land segments are branched and divided to simplify the construction process for production homes.

This home variation also has its own set of advantages, which include:

Energy efficient
Provides both home and land as a packaged deal
A range of house plans are available

Which is Best for You?

A custom home or production home, which is best for you? The answer to this question requires a little self-awareness. Do you want a home that is uniquely yours? One that matches your style, tastes, and preferences? If so, then a custom home will be the perfect fit. You will have complete control over everything from the type of tiles on your walkway to your doorknobs and flooring.

However, if you prefer a passive approach, where all those details are handled for you, then a production home is the best choice.

Your Trusted Custom Home Builder in Calgary

Both custom and production homes are excellent options. But if you want the home of your dreams to come to life with architectural brilliance and superior craftsmanship, consider Riverview Custom Homes for your project. We build luxury custom homes in Calgary with an award-winning team of highly skilled craftsmen, designers, and architects.

Let’s start your dream home today.

Best Custom Home Builders in Calgary: Riverview Custom Homes

Custom home builders come by the dozens in Calgary. Some are very good, while others – for numerous reasons – don’t quite have the luxury of claiming that distinction. But this may make you wonder; which custom home builders in Calgary are the best? Of course, “best” is subjective. A couple of terms you can use to replace the word “best” with, however, are qualified and experienced: Two qualities that separate good companies from exceptional ones.

And as it turns out, those are two qualities that the builders at Riverview Custom Homes have. So if you are planning on building a custom home in Calgary, you might consider hiring Riverview Custom Homes to take care of it. Here is what you would gain in the process:

1. Quality

We strive to offer nothing less than quality to our customers. Throughout the building process, we work with you to ensure you are satisfied with the results. After your home is built, we also take the time to address any problems and questions you might have. Our final goal is your ultimate satisfaction, and we won’t stop until you are completely satisfied with your new Calgary custom home.

We house a team of experienced designers, architects, and craftsmen. Moreover, each member adds their unique brand of sophistication to every project, creating a distinct piece of architectural brilliance that is uniquely yours.

2. Experience

At Riverview Custom Homes, we have experience and can prove it. Just view our portfolio or read the reviews people have written to get a feel for our level of expertise and craftsmanship. Our builders and architects have decades of combined experience planning and building beautiful, quality custom homes in Calgary.

The experience is evident in the fine craftsmanship of each project we accept. With proper material utilization and decor arrangement, we create the home you have always wanted.

3. Knowledge of Custom Homes

Custom homes require care and diligence from start to finish. Unlike production homes, they must be built from the ground up – starting with the planning process. Here at Riverview Custom Homes, we have constructed enough custom homes in Calgary to know how to deliver what you want. From modern to traditional homes, there is nothing we can’t build.

Our team possesses a deep body of knowledge regarding custom homes. This expertise not only allows us to understand the construction process, but your wants and needs as well.

Want Your Dream Home? Consider Riverview Custom Homes

Riverview Custom Homes is Calgary’s premier luxury custom home builder. And with numerous awards such as Single Family Home Builder of the Year (2018, 2020, and 2021) and a dedicated team of professionals, it’s easy to see how we’ve earned and maintained this designation.

The Do’s And Don’ts of Hiring Calgary Custom Home Builders

When finding reliable custom home builders in Calgary, there are many things to consider. After all, a project of this scope will have numerous moving parts contributing to the process and the end result. For this reason, you want a custom home builder that can handle all the details and remain on top of everything.

To help you find that ideal company, we have covered the dos and don’ts of hiring custom home builders in today’s blog post. So without further ado, let’s begin with the dos:

Do spend time researching your options

We can’t stress the importance of this enough. Research, research and research more! In Calgary, you will soon realize that many options are available. This can be good and bad. The more familiar you are with your options, the less likely something will go wrong along the way. Here is the most effective way to research custom home builders in Calgary.

1. Make a List

Create a list of all the custom home builders you can find. A quick Google search will reveal all the companies in the Calgary area (create a spreadsheet for organization if you feel so inclined).

2. Review Websites

Once you have your list, review each custom home builder’s website – one by one. Is it a professional site brimming with testimonials, affiliations, and other qualifications? Or does it look like a cut-and-dry, lacklustre site with no credentials to support the companies’ credibility?

3. Read Online Reviews

Of course, the first two steps are only half the battle. Every company puts its best foot forward on its website. The real test is with the online review sites. Does the company you’re researching have favourable customer feedback on other sites? If your prospective custom home builder checks all these boxes, it’s a green light to move forward.

Do ask questions

Asking questions ties in directly to the point above. The more questions you ask prospective builders, the more familiar you become with them. Don’t be shy – asking them for references is never a bad thing. Neither is asking them about their qualifications. All of these things can affect your decision drastically. So ensure that you do a thorough assessment; it can save you a lot of time (and money) in the long run.

Do remember that building a house is a HUGE investment

So treat it as such! And don’t forget that you are PAYING to receive services. You don’t have to work with people if you don’t want to work with them. It’s as simple as that. If you are unsure of a custom home builder (for any reason), move on. The time and money investment are too large for you to second guess your intuition.

Remembering what’s required to bring your dream home to life makes it easier to do what’s in your best interest without reservations.

Now regarding the don’t’s:

Don’t choose the first good builders you come across

No matter how stressed you are, hurrying through the process of finding custom home builders is never a good thing. As we said above, choose your options carefully and study them. A choice made hastily, especially involving a project of this stature, will likely be one you regret. For this reason, take your time, do your due diligence, and act when you’re ready.

Don’t go ahead without a plan

Planning everything is a huge part of building a home. Most of the time, it has to begin with the future homeowners. Before settling on a Calgary home builder, make sure you have planned everything well. Yes, we’re talking about your budget, but that’s not all! Don’t forget to, at the very least, know what kind of house you will be building before hiring people to build it.

This idea may seem like common sense. However, you’d be shocked at how often people act without any forethought regarding life-altering decisions such as this.

Are You Ready to Realize Your Dream Home?

Once you understand the best practices of hiring a Calgary custom home builder, it becomes easy to find the right one for you. At Riverview Custom Homes, we walk our clients through the entire custom home construction process. From finding the perfect plot of land to constructing the home itself to renovating your existing home, we are with you every step of the way.

So if you’re ready, contact us today to live your best life in the home of your dreams.

CUSTOM VS. SEMI-CUSTOM HOMES

So you want to build a custom home in Calgary. This is perfectly understandable. After all, Calgary has everything you could possibly want in a city. Everything from spacious communities and first-rate amenities, all the way to beautiful scenery and kind people. But here’s the question: Do you know what type of home you want to have built?

Riverview Custom Homes can help you figure it out. We are a team of custom home builders in Calgary that specializes in building stunning, high-quality, luxury homes. As such, we can help you determine which home variation is right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Custom Home vs Semi-Custom Home: What’s the Difference?

Building a home is difficult, no question. And the process of designing is easily one of the most difficult parts of all. If you are currently in the process of planning your home, you have to understand the differences between a custom home and a semi-custom one. And as your Calgary custom home builder, we here at Riverview Custome Homes are here to educate and inform.

To put it simply, a custom home is a completely original home that has never been built before. Everything from the floors to the layout is personalized to fit the needs and personality of the house’s future owner.

Semi-custom homes, on the other hand, are homes that allow people the freedom to personalize them… up to a certain point. While some features are pre-determined, others can be changed to fit a person’s preferences.

Advantages of Custom and Semi-Custom Homes

Each home variation has its advantages. As such, it’s important to be aware of them so you can make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the benefits associated with custom and semi-custom homes:

Custom Home Advantages

A custom home gives you full freedom and flexibility. You get to pick and choose everything from the layout to the lot location. This level of choice can be very refreshing as you can express yourself via your custom home to whatever degree you wish.

Additional advantages include:

Budget flexibility
Quality of materials
Full customization
Fit to match your lifestyle
More pride in the home
Control over the size of the home

Semi-Custom Home Advantages

Despite all of the advantages of custom homes, don’t rule out semi-custom homes, as they offer a lot of utility as well. Some of these advantages may not be obvious at first. But once you learn about them, it could easily sway your decision – depending on how committed you are to a custom home design.

Advantages of a semi-custom include:

Don’t have to design a home from scratch
Relieved of the burden of making all the hard choices
They are faster to build
More economical

Which Style of Home is Best For You?

So which is best? And more importantly… which one should you choose?

It all depends on your budget and whether or not you are ready to wait longer for your house to be built. If you have the energy, time and money to plan an entire house from the ground up (with the help of an architect, of course), then there is no reason for you not to go with a custom home.

You’ll absolutely revel in the freedom that it gives you. However, if you just can’t work your way around building a custom home, don’t sweat it too much either. Semi-custom homes offer a wonderful foundation upon which to build your home, and you’ll still have plenty of choices to make.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which home variation is best. Choosing a custom home or a semi-custom home is a matter of preference and circumstance. If your preference is to go for one over the other, and your budget allows it, then that’s the decision you should opt for.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are your custom luxury home builders in Calgary. We can create your dream home with the highest quality materials and architectural brilliance that will bring a new level of vibrancy into your home and life. Contact us today to learn more.

5 MYTHS ABOUT BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME

Many people dream of building a custom home. And it’s easy to see why: the range of control, the customization, and the lot choice – among many other things – all make custom homes an appealing alternative. However, there are many myths surrounding the topic of custom home construction.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are among the best custom home builders in Calgary. As such, we’ve heard all the fables. And that’s why we’re here to dispel the myths associated with custom home-building projects.

So keep reading to learn 5 myths about custom home projects that are based more on superstition than reality.

1. You Need to be a Professional Designer

As your trusted Calgary custom home builder, we want to assure you; you don’t need to plan and design every inch of your house on your own for your custom home project. Far from it. It’s fine to contribute however much you feel is necessary. So please don’t think that you need to have every morsel of your home planned and accounted for.

However, the more you do know what you want, the better. Our expert craftsmen can guide you through the process and ensure that the details are sorted. Moreover, our custom home builders can also create an architectural masterpiece for your home, even if you’re unsure of what you truly want at the moment.

2. Custom Homes Take a Long Time to Complete

Whether your home is custom or not, there are many variables to consider for the timeline of a home construction project. For this reason, you can’t control all of the factors that will play a role in the time it takes to complete. Poor weather conditions, budgeting issues, human error, etc, can all impact the timeline.

But even with these considerations, the time frame of a custom build isn’t that much different than that of other home construction projects. The primary reason a custom home might take a little more time is due to the feature selection and design process.

3. Building a Custom Home is Hard and Complex

This is really a matter of perspective. Sure, such a project does have its complexities, as does anything else of this magnitude. However, building a custom home can actually be a very rich, rewarding, and enjoyable experience! You get the full range of creative expression. Everything from the location and layout, all the way to the windows and light fixtures – you have dominion over almost every detail.

Additionally, at Riverview Custom Homes, we go above and beyond to ensure your experience is a pleasurable one. We work to simplify the process for you so you’re not bogged down by the overly complex details.

4. You’ll Go Over Budget

Understandably, one of the primary stressors of custom home building is money. But that doesn’t mean a custom home can’t be built within its allotted budget. And the best method to ensure this outcome is communication. Let your home builder/designer know right from the start what your budget is for each expenditure.

Talk with the team and work with them so that everyone is on the same page and there is no confusion in regard to budgeting. This will go a long way in keeping spending under control.

5. Builders Lack Communication Skills

Don’t let this myth keep you from your dream home. Painting each person in a group with the same brush is silly. The truth is there are plenty of builders with excellent communication skills. In fact, we here at Riverview Custom Homes take pride in the communication we demonstrate while on the job. It’s part of what makes us so efficient and respected.

And while there are certain builders out there who do lack this essential skill, there are plenty of others who use and practice it as a regular part of their day-to-day operations.

Final Thoughts

Many myths just don’t hold up when you look at the facts. And this is apparent when looking at the custom home builder myths. Recognize that with the right custom home builder, the myths that you’ve heard through the grapevine simply don’t apply.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we provide custom luxury accommodations with our expert team of designers, coordinators, and managers. Moreover, we’ve been presented with a myriad of awards that have cemented our prestige. These include the 2021 BILDCR Award by the Building Industry Land Development (BILD) Calgary Region awards. Additionally, we’ve also won three top awards in the categories for Best New Home as well.

So if you’re ready to actualize the dream home you’ve been envisioning, then contact us today to see how we can help.