A Langley Home Teardown

Tear Down and Build New

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As housing prices continue to rise in the Fraser Valley and the cost of land increases, there is growing interest among homeowners to tear down the home they currently live in and build a new home on the same land.  A common question when thinking about tearing down the home you currently live in – is this a good idea or not?

Identifying a Teardown

Older homes with structural issues, homes with outdated kitchens or limited bathrooms, and homes that incur increasingly high energy bills are often identified as homes to demolition.  Structural concerns can be expensive to repair and frequently these repairs do not add extensively to the value of the home were you to consider selling.  Whole house renovations involving changing room sizes, updating finishes, and adding more rooms can be expensive.  There are times when demolishing the home and building new may not be that much more than a renovation.

How Do I Decide Between a Renovation and a Teardown?

Sometimes the cost to repair an older home is just not worth it.  An abundance of mold, a damaged foundation, extensive rot in the structure – problems can lead to surprisingly expensive repair costs.  Unhealthy indoor air, hazardous older materials, wet basements. These concerns need to be addressed to ensure the home is safe to live in.

Does the home need new windows, updated electrical wiring, and a new roof?  Does the existing layout make sense for your family or would a renovation include extensive floorplan changes?  Demolishing the home and building new may be the best option if the cost of a renovation is high.

What Is the Cost to Tear down a Home?

Tearing down a home can vary in cost.  Prices can depend on the size of the home, the location of the site, and what hazardous materials are found in the home.

What Permits Do I Need?

Your local municipality will be able to determine what permits are needed for your specific home.  Every home is different and each municipality has its own requirements before a demolition can be done.

What is a Hazmat Report?

Worksafe BC will require a “Hazardous Materials” report before a teardown can begin.  This report will identify what hazardous materials are in the home.  Some materials may need to be removed prior to demolition.

How Much Will a Hazmat Report Cost?

Depending on the size and age of the home, a hazmat report can start at around $500.

How Long Will a Demolition Take?

A home can be torn down in just a few days once reports and permits are in place.

If you like your neighbours and want to keep your kids in the same school but find that your home just isn’t suitable for your changing needs, consider tearing down your home and building a new one.  I’m sure you have many questions and we’d like to help answer them.  Contact us today.  We are happy to chat!

Building a Carriage House

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A carriage house, also known as a coach house, is a second house located on a residential property.  As housing prices go up in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, including the Fraser Valley, building a carriage home can be a practical solution for accommodating college aged family members or aging parents.  Carriage houses are also a great way to bring in some residual rental income.

One of our current design projects is a carriage home.  This eco-friendly house will have plenty of storage, boutique style living quarters, and a generous workshop.  Our client is going to be installing a residential rainwater harvesting system as well.  We are excited to be designing this coach home!

We are also in the finishing stages of building an energy efficient coach house in the Fraser Valley.  This home is using solar, geo exchange, rainwater collection, and other energy saving technologies.

Are you thinking of adding a coach house to your existing property?  We are experienced in both the design and construction of these homes.  Call us today!

Sonbuilt Tradeshow Booth

Langley Spring Home Expo this Weekend!

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We are going to be in the Langley Spring Home Expo this coming weekend.  Here are the details!

Dates/Times:

Friday                    April 8   5pm to 9pm

Saturday              April 9   9:30am – 5:30pm

Sunday                 April 10  10am – 4pm

Location:              George Preston Rec Centre @ 20699 – 42nd Avenue, Langley

Cost:                      Free

 

Come out to see us and be sure to say “Hello!”

Sonbuilt Designs Homes

Designing Your Home

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Designing Your Home

While breaking ground is always an exciting day for a soon-to-be new homeowner, the planning that goes into the details for that day starts months before.  We spend a lot of time on the design phase of a new home.

We design and build homes.  We take into consideration your budget and will design you a home that fits within your budget.  As builder, we are very familiar with up-to-date costs to build.  It’s important to us that we design you a home with the spaces you need and can afford.

When we start design, careful consideration is put into the placement of the home on the lot.  What part of the land has the most daylight?  Where are the views?  How can we maximize on outdoor living spaces?

Flow and functionality are also a big part of planning your home.  Each area of the home should be useful and functional.  And suitable for you and your family.  Drawing, re-thinking and designing to come up with the best layout for your lifestyle.

We also put a lot of time into the materials and mechanics of your home before we get started.  By doing this early in the process, we can minimize questions and smoothly pull the pieces together as we build.

Planning your home is a team effort!

Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve your dream home!

Sonbuilt Home in Langley

A Happy Customer

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The best moments in the life of a custom home builder often take place when the keys are handed over to an excited, happy customer.  We had one of those moments this week.

We met our client over two years ago.  A fire had resulted in the loss of a home and a life.  Six weeks after this tragic event our client contacted us for the first time.  At our initial meeting we listened.  We listened a lot. It was difficult for us to comprehend the sadness our client was facing.   At times we really didn’t know what to say.  Sometimes saying “I’m really sorry” seems so inadequate.

Our client was determined to move forward.  Working through the insurance process wasn’t always easy and at times it was frustrating.  So many decisions to make.  Moving on can be a difficult road when a variety of emotions are tangled in the process.

Keeping busy, thinking about designing and building, and considering what a new home could look like proved to be a healer in this case.  And finally, almost a year and a half after starting the process, construction began!

It was a pleasure to build for this client!  The goal was to achieve an energy efficient rancher, complete with a finished walk out basement suite.   During the design phase we ensured many “aging-in-place” features were incorporated into the layout allowing our client to remain in this new home for many years to come.    This R-2000 custom home in Langley is ideally designed for anyone in the “empty nester” years who wish to remain busy entertaining friends, family, and active grandchildren.

To our client – you have been a joy to work for.  We admire your determination and perseverance.  Thank you for choosing Sonbuilt Custom Homes!  If you don’t mind, we’ll be stopping by sometimes to visit!

Welcome home!

Chilliwack Home Update

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Custom Design and Build in Chilliwack

The foundation is nearly complete on our Chilliwack custom home.  We’ve battled snow, intense wind, and all kinds of weather.  We are looking forward to spring!

We designed this home for a young family who desire to move to the country.  Play spaces, homework spaces, and family time spaces.  We’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this couple and their kids!

The Fraser Valley is known for spectacular views and scenery.  This property is surrounded by beauty.  Snow topped mountains, forest, and rolling hills.   We intentionally designed the home to ensure the scenery will be viewed from every possible angle.

This R-2000 home is also our first “Holmes Approved Home”.  A Mike Holmes Inspector will inspect the construction of the home at 4 different stages of construction.  We had our first inspection last week!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Fraser Valley Home & Garden Expo

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Stop by the Sonbuilt booth at the Fraser Valley Home & Garden show this weekend!

The show takes place in Abbotsford at Tradex.

Location:  Tradex in Abbotsford    Booth Numbers:  212, 213, 214
Hours:      Friday, Feb. 12         1pm – 9pm
Saturday, Feb. 13     10am – 6pm
Sunday, Feb. 14       10am – 4pm
Cost:        $7 (Cash only)   Parking:  $6

Tradex is located at 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford

Stop by and say ‘hi’!  See you at the show!

Sonbuilt Tradeshow Booth

Home Shows

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It’s that time of year again!  Home Shows!

Home Show season is just around the corner.  We’ll be in three shows this year so mark these upcoming dates on your calendar and we hope to see you at the show!

Fraser Valley Home & Garden Show      February 12 – 14

Location:  Tradex in Abbotsford    Booth Numbers:  212, 213, 214
Hours:      Friday, Feb. 12         1pm – 9pm
Saturday, Feb. 13     10am – 6pm
Sunday, Feb. 14       10am – 4pm
Cost:        $7 (Cash only)   Parking:  $6

BC Home & Garden Show      February 17 – 21

Location:  BC Place Stadium
Booth Number:  217  *Holmes Approved Homes Booth
We are excited to be a Holmes Approved Homes Builder!
Visit www.bchomeandgardenshow.com for show times and tickets info

Sonbuilt will be at the booth:
Thursday, Feb. 18        5pm – 9pm
Friday, Feb. 19             12pm – 9pm
Saturday, Feb. 20         10am – 9pm
Sunday, Feb. 21           10am – 6pm

Langley Spring Home Expo      April 8 – 10

Location:  George Preston Rec Centre  –  20699 42 Ave. Langley
Booth Numbers:  79, 80

Hours:      Friday, Apr. 8         5pm – 9pm
Saturday, Apr. 9     9:30am – 5:30pm
Sunday, Apr. 10     10am – 4pm
Cost:        Free
We will have both the Sonbuilt booth and the Holmes Approved Homes booth at the show at Tradex.  We will be using the Holmes Approved Homes booth at the BC  Home and Garden Show.  Details are still being confirmed for the Langley show.

Visit our website blog and Facebook page for updates.  See you at the show!

Conduit for Future Wiring

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Fishing a new cable or wire behind walls can be quite a process after a home is built.  It can be expensive too, especially if drywall repairs and fresh paint are involved.

We generally install several lengths of conduit in various locations during the construction of a new home.  Conduits can be buried in the ground, behind the drywall, or in the attic.

By installing conduit, you are free to change or upgrade wiring long after your home is done.

Conduit for future wiring
Conduit for future wiring

Defining a “Custom Home”

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We are often asked “What is the difference between a custom home and a spec home?”.

When someone builds a custom home, the future home owner has full control over the design of the home and what goes in it.  A spec home is typically built by a builder before the future buyer is involved.  In a spec home, the builder chooses the style and finishes in the home.

As a custom home builder, our customers are involved in the process of creating their new home from start to finish.  We both design and build.  No two homes are the same.  Each home we build is unique for each customer we work with.

If you are dreaming of your own home and wish to build one day, contact us today!

Visit this page for more information on the Sonbuilt design process.

 

We’d love to chat!