JA CUSTOM HOMES

OUR BLOG

< VIEW ALL BLOGS

5 Things You Need to Know Before Building a Home in Collingwood

Published on
March 6, 2022

Itching to move in the Collingwood area but can’t find the perfect home? Then building a new one may be right for you! By building your home from the ground up, you can finally get that dream home you’ve always wanted, and stop wasting your time looking at ones that don’t quite fit the bill.


However, it’s not like you can just pick any old piece of land and start building - the process is a bit more complicated than that. To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are the 5 things you need to know before building a home in Collingwood.


1. The Total Cost

Before you get your heart set on a particular design for your new home, make sure you can afford it first. There’s an almost overwhelming number of costs involved with a custom home build, so make sure you take everything into consideration. For example, on top of the construction price, you also need to account for the following:


  • HST
  • Lot purchase and tax (if you don’t already own the land)
  • Hydro connection
  • Septic and well charges (if applicable)
  • Development charges
  • New appliances and furniture (if needed)


You don’t want to run out of money with your new home half-finished, so make sure you calculate your costs carefully.


2. The Right Land for the Job

One of the most important things to think about when choosing land for your custom home in Canada is this: can I live here during all 4 seasons? The winters may not be too terrible in Collingwood compared to some other places, but it’s still something to keep in mind.


It’s also possible that the land you’re looking at isn’t ideal for the type of house you want to build, so consider walking it with a builder to get their opinion.


3. The Potential Resale Value

You may not be planning on moving for a long time or even at all, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the potential resale value of your custom home. If you have too many upgrades and price yourself out of the neighbourhood, you may have a hard time enticing potential buyers. Try to keep your home within a reasonable price range to avoid losing money on a future sale.


4. Getting a Building Permit Can Take Time

You’ll need a building permit if you want to build a new house in Collingwood, and that process can take some time. Not only do you need to obtain a Zoning Certificate first, but you also need to submit accurate drawings of your new home that are in compliance with the Collingwood Zoning By-law and Building Code. These must be completed by a design professional, and submitted along with the permit application. You can learn more about the process here.


5. A Local Builder is Often Best

While an out-of-town builder could probably get the job done, there are certain benefits to going with a local company. For example, they should be familiar with the local rules and regulations surrounding building in Collingwood, so you won’t have to worry about any potential setbacks there. They will also often have relationships with local suppliers and other professionals you may want on your team, which could save you time and money in the long run.


If you’re looking for a builder familiar with the Collingwood area, contact JA Custom Homes. We look forward to working with you!