After we survived the coldest and the longest winter in recent history, we’re all glad that it’s finally finished, and there is relief from bitter temperatures and the high cost of heating our homes. The awful news in Ontario is…
Having a custom home built for your next property is a significant investment in time and expense, so it’s important that you have it designed to specifications that fit not only your lifestyle but on-going needs too. If you’ve never…
As the busiest homebuying season of the year gets under way, potential buyers are poised to get off the sidelines and enter the market. According to Chase’s national survey “Insights: From the Mind of the Homebuyer”, potential home buyers say…
Ontario custom-home financing guide Construction Financing in Ontario: Progress Draw Mortgages, Cash Flow and Cost Overruns Financing a custom home is not the same as obtaining a mortgage on a completed house. The lender releases money in stages, while the…
Flying Cars or No Flying Cars, the Future Needs Energy Efficient Homes Our planet will be a very different place in the coming years. By 2050, Earth will be home to another 3 billion people, of which 70% will live…
With energy and utility costs expecting to rise in the next few years, investing in environmentally friendly products can help you save energy, water—and perhaps most importantly, money. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of products that…
Home Automation – What’s Next? While it was something, once seen, in science fiction movies and futuristic films, home automation (also known as SMART homes) are becoming an increasing trend as technology makes a greater push into society. With an increasing…
Deciding to hire a custom home builder in Toronto is a major investment of time and energy. After all, you’re entrusting a company to design, create and build a home specifically tailored to your wants and needs – it shouldn’t…
🧰 Builder Checklist • Lot Buying Septic System Ontario: What You Need To Know Before Purchasing a Building Lot in Ontario If your lot doesn’t have municipal sewer, your septic system isn’t a “we’ll figure it out later” item. It’s…
The builder who offers the biggest house for the lowest cost has most likely compromised quality at every step of the construction process. The problems manifest later. Faulty foundations, moisture intrusion, and shoddy framing are often at the root of…
Ontario insulation guide • Builder’s view Closed Cell vs Open Cell Foam Insulation: Which One Belongs in Your Ontario Home? Both products are called spray foam, but they do not behave the same in a basement, attic, rim joist, garage,…
Looking to relocate to a peaceful, scenic area away from city living? If this sounds appealing, consider Tiny Township as your new location. Tiny Township is located on the peninsula that separates Severn Sound and Nottawasaga Bay at the south end…
Many people in Ontario will buy a home or a piece of land at some point in their life. This is one of the biggest decisions anyone makes. It entails spending a lot of money and for decades making payments…
Here at ICFhome.ca, we love a good plumbing joke. Plumbing is the only game where a good flush beats a full house every time! So, every year we compile a list of some of our favorite bits of plumbing related…
Ontario – gas fireplaces 2026 costs New CO alarm rules Gas Fireplace Guide for Ontario Homes: Costs, Safety, Efficiency, and Venting A gas fireplace can be a fantastic upgrade in an Ontario home – real warmth, instant ambiance, and none…
You did not take me seriously when I told you to watch the humidity in your new home! I am really mad! In the recent month, I received 3 phone calls from my last year’s clients about their homes. The…
“How To Build A Home Without Going Broke” Whether you’re hiring a Builder, or a General Contractor, using a Construction Consultant or managing your job as an Owner-Builder, you can use the resources presented to you here to get the…
Welcome to your brand new ICFhome.ca dream house. Model: Ravenswood – For virtual tour and the price click here! This is the perfect three bedroom, two bathrooms, single level home design, offering 1839 square feet of luxurious living space. For…
Most builders, especially mass production builders, build to the Ontario Building Code standards only; meaning that they build to the minimum acceptable standards, equating to more profits for them. In Supplementary Standard SB-12 Energy Efficiency For Housing, March 15, 2013, update, you can…
Ontario | 2026 Strength | warmth | waterproofing | cost Honest trade-offs Part of: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) in Ontario – the complete guide ICF Foundation Pros and Cons (Ontario 2026) If you are searching ICF foundation pros and cons,…
Current trends indicate that, in 2015, new homes will be smaller, greener and more casual. At the end of 2014, NAHB Research Centre conducted a survey online in two phases. The first phase used screening questions to identify recent home…
Open-cell vs closed-cell Air sealing matters Moisture and code reality Not always the best buy Spray Foam Insulation: The Straight Story on Cost, Code, Moisture, Air Sealing, and Where It Actually Makes Sense Spray foam insulation gets talked about like…
Deck Design Requires A Careful Consideration A deck is a popular home improvement that not only adds to the value of your home but provides a focal point for enjoying the outdoors. You’ll want to consider carefully the design elements…
Whether you’re building a home or a multi-level commercial structure, you can’t beat the rewards of building with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). ICFs provide a lightweight, high-strength alternative to using conventional wood frame construction. What are insulated concrete forms? Insulated…
So now you’ve selected a competent builder. But you may ask, “Do I have to like the guy? If he has a good reputation as a builder, does it really matter if I like him?” Yes, it matters. Don’t sign…
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