Contact us for details	Frequently Asked Questions
Many questions come to mind when thinking of having your dream home built. The following is a list of some some of the questions we are asked most often. Contact us if you have questions that are not covered here.

1.	Are all of your homes custom designs?
		Our homes range from architect's designs to CAD drawings (computer assisted designs) to book plans. Ultimately, each house is customized to suit your individual needs.
2.	We don't know what we want our new home to look like. Can you help us? Do you have plans that we can either choose from or use as a base to create our own design?
		We have many plans to review. We also offer an in-house design service to translate your ideas and develop them into a design that can be built.
3.	What if we like the plans for a house you have already built? Can you duplicate it for us?
		This would depend on the design that you have chosen. If there are no copyright issues, we would be able to re-build a design.
4.	Do you have suggestions on how we can plan our dream home? Will you work with us on this or do we need to come to you with a good idea of what we want?
		We will work closely with you right from the initial idea stage through to blueprints and to the completion of the construction.
5.	We have a pretty good idea of what we want - where do we go from here? What do you need from us to get started? How do we get the idea from our heads onto paper?
		We will meet with you to discuss your plan ideas and goals as well as to review budget, material, and site details. We will log all of the available information and ideas you have and create a draft plan. From here we make the desired changes, come up with an approved final draft, and have the blueprints printed. Usually this requires a minimum of two meetings, depending on how much detail your idea contains.
6.	Do we need to have detailed ideas about what we want upfront? Can you work with us if we just have a vague idea of what we want?
		The most important upfront information is a design basis, room requirements, and a budget. It is in your best interest to establish a budget for your project. This ensures we are on the same wavelength. This does not have to be a final figure but it is of utmost importance to know where your budget goals are.
7.	How much will our home cost? What are the factors involved in estimating the cost?
		This is the most frequently asked question and the most difficult to answer. Each house is different. Many factors enter into the cost equation - size, design, roof line, number of stories, exterior finishing, flooring, number of washrooms, site preparation - just to name a few. Until we have an idea of what you're looking for, it is almost impossible to guess what your home might cost.
8.	If we can't afford our dream home, can you work with us on ways to lower the cost?
		By all means. Many things can be done to reduce costs such as: refining a design, sizing down, recommending areas where dollars should be spent such as good quality windows, energy efficient heating and insulation, etc.
9.	We have land but no building permits, foundation, well, hydro, etc. Do we have to look after this ourselves or do you arrange this for us? Is there anything we need to do with the land before you can start building our home?
		We will obtain all the necessary permits, including Ontario New Home Warranty registration. Each lot may have specific work required to prepare it for construction (i.e. driveway access, site clearing, and hydro availability). We will do as much as you wish or simply consult with you to help you do it.
10.	Are your homes complete packages? Will our home be ready to move into when you're done? Do you finish the home inside and out - siding, shingles, windows, doors, landscaping, electrical, plumbing, fixtures, cupboards, etc.?
		Most of our homes are "turn key" packages, meaning the house is completely finished and you move in. We detail our contracts to include what you want from flooring allowances to mirror or cabinet allowances. We even install your light fixtures if you like.
11.	Do you arrange for all services (i.e., electrician, plumber, landscaping), or do we have to contact other professionals ourselves?
		We look after this for you. We have excellent sub-trades who work with us. You do not need to worry about anything. You deal directly with us on all aspects of the construction, which keeps things simple and avoids confusion.
12.	What landscaping services (gardens, trees, full grown trees, ponds, etc.) do you offer?
		We work closely with a landscape architect who will sub-contract your landscaping needs - from stone walkways and ponds to trees, flowers, or sod.
13.	How long will it take to build our home?
		Depending on the complexity and size of your house, usually between 3-6 months.
14.	What if we want the exterior finished, but want to do the interior on our own? Can we have our home only partially finished?
		One of the advantages of custom construction is the flexibility you can achieve. We are able to finish or not finish exactly what you want - perhaps you want to paint, we simply remove painting from the contract and you look after that. We have built shells for completion later, left decks for the next year, or finished a garage at a later date.
15.	What if we want a guest house, boat house, or garage? Can you do this as well?
		We have designed and constructed many accessory buildings. This can be done at the same time as your house, or as a completely separate project later on.
16.	If we want a cottage, do we have a choice of seasonal or year-round? Can we start with seasonal and hire you later to make it year-round?
		Yes, we can build a seasonal cottage. It can be left as seasonal or you may choose to winterize it at a later date.
17.	If someone in my family is physically challenged, can you build a house to meet those needs (wheelchair ramps, extra wide hallways and doorways to accommodate a wheelchair, special railings in the tub, etc)?
		We are experienced in building for physical challenges and can assist with the design features or modifications to make the access easy and comfortable (i.e. light switch height, hall width, washroom fixtures and support).
18.	If we want to put an addition on our existing home, can you help us to design something that will blend in and look like it's part of the home?
		We will visit the site, assess your needs from the information you give us, and recommend a design to complement the existing structure. A successful renovation is not noticeable.
19.	If we have an older home and want to completely renovate it, can you work with us on what we can reasonably expect to achieve?
		With property being less available, more and more people want to renovate, rejuvenate or re-model an existing structure. We can determine if it is more practical to demolish and start fresh or where to begin with the re-modeling. We can assess the integrity of the building's foundation and frame and adapt the load-bearing wall with beams and supports to meet your needs.
20.	Do you build decks and docks? Can these be incorporated into the plans for our new home? Can these be done as an add on at a later date?
		We do build decks in conjunction with house construction. Docks are a specialized field and we would recommend another trade to assist you.
21.	What is R-2000?
		Country Side Homes Inc. is an R-2000 certified builder. R-2000 standards set criteria for how a home performs, rather than how it is built. Homes built to R-2000 standards have lower energy costs, guarantee you clean indoor air, and use environmentally friendly materials and products.