Guides for people building a house

Written for owner-builders, first-time builders and the merely curious. Grouped by what you are trying to work out.

How it works Energy and code Planning and budget Difficult sites Choosing a plan

How the system works

What a panelized package actually is, how the wall performs, and how it compares with the alternatives.

SmartWall® compared with SIPsWhere each wins, and why the cavity matters R-value vs effective R-valueWhy the number on the bag is not the number you get Plumbing and wiring in the systemHow services run through a panelized wall How panels are manufacturedInside the production process The advantages of a kit homeWhat panelized construction changes about a build Manufactured vs modular vs panelizedThree legal categories, three sets of rules

Energy and code

Meeting Step Code, reaching net zero or passive house standards, and what that asks of the envelope.

Passive house and high performance homesWhat the standard requires and what it costs Meeting the BC Energy Step CodeWhich wall depth gets you to which step Five elements of a sustainable homeWhere the gains actually come from Our commitment to building greenMaterials, waste and efficiency Why prefab reduces wasteWhat happens to offcuts in a factory SmartWall test data and calculatorMeasured performance, and your own numbers

Planning and budget

Getting from an idea to a costed plan, including the parts people underestimate.

The BC owner-builder examWhat it covers and how to prepare Construction timeline, design to move-inWhat happens when, and how long each stage takes Canadian incentives and rebatesPrograms worth checking before you build Seven cost-saving design decisionsChoices that lower cost without lowering quality How to get startedThe first steps before you talk to anyone What a custom home costsPackage versus site costs, explained

Difficult sites and seasons

Remote lots, island properties, off-grid builds and getting work done in a short season.

Building in a remote locationLogistics, access and what to plan for Building through winterWhat is possible and what should wait Designing for aging in placeAccessible layouts that do not look institutional How delivery worksRoad, rail and ocean freight to any site

Choosing a plan

Working out what size, style and layout actually suits your lot and your life.

Summer cottage plansWhat makes a cottage plan work Choosing the right floor planQuestions to answer before you fall for one Popular home styles explainedWhat defines each architectural style Current design trendsWhat people are asking for now Timber frame accentsCosmetic, hybrid or fully structural Browse all house plansNine collections, filter by bedrooms and size

Looking for something else

Completed builds and project updates live under current projects. Company news, events and where to find us in person are under news and events. Careers are on the about page. And if you have a question this section does not answer, a Build Specialist will answer it directly.

The Inspirational Gallery BookPhotographs of completed packages from across Canada, the US and overseas. Get the book

Reading only gets you so far.

Tell a Build Specialist about your lot and what you have in mind. Design, estimating and engineering are included, so the conversation costs you nothing but time.

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