Single Family Home Construction

Design – In order to start the design process, Designers or Architects require a site survey by a licensed Land Surveyor who will provide drawings with specific technical detail about the site. The next stage of home construction is the design stage where Designers comply with national or local building codes to meet quality, safety and energy efficiency objectives. The code specifies various aspects of detail in order to meet those objectives. Although the code may be specific on various aspects, it also allows Designers to apply their creativity to achieve designs which are customized to clients’ needs. Designs can also be replicated to save design cost and time or to maintain consistency; it can also be varied to show various possibilities, depending on the needs of the Builder. The Designers prepare the drawings which typically cover site survey plan, plot plan, floor plan for each level and elevation drawings.

Approval – The Builder then submits the drawings to the city for approval along with application fees. The city’s Plan Checkers will then review the plans and provide comments which needs to be incorporated. The approval cycle varies depending on the city’s workload. Once all changes have been incorporated, the city provides approved drawings to the Builder to commence construction. At that stage, the Builder is required to pay a fee for the Building Permit to commence construction including a separate Demolition Permit if the existing home needs to be removed.

Construction – The Builder can commence the construction by demolishing the existing structure on site, if so required, before proceeding with the construction as per the approved plans. At specific stages of construction, the Builder is required to request for inspections by the City Inspector who will confirm compliance to the drawings and the building code. The City Inspector will either sign off on the inspection or comment on areas of non-compliance for the builder to rectify before proceeding to the next stage. The inspection will typically cover buildings, plumbing (including water, sewer, site services and gas) and electrical.

Final Occupation Permit – Once all inspections are completed with no outstanding issues, the Builder can apply for final building inspection to ensure all aspects of construction is completed. Upon completing all outstanding issues, the Builder will complete a trade list and relevant completion forms to the city to receive the Occupational Permit or Final Building Permit.