Custom Home Resources

BC’s “2-5-10” home warranty insurance is mandatory for new homes built by a Licensed Residential Builder, and it covers specific construction defects for set periods: 2 years (materials and labour), 5 years (building envelope), and 10 years (structural defects). It’s real protection, but it’s not a blanket promise that “everything is covered,” and it’s not…

If your lot is inside a Nanaimo Development Permit Area (DPA), you may need a Development Permit before you can get your building permit. The smart move is to confirm that early, because DPA rules can change your drawings, your required reports, and your schedule. If you want a builder-led plan that accounts for permits…

Site servicing is everything that makes your lot buildable and livable: water, sanitary sewer or septic, stormwater management, power, communications, and legal driveway access. The surprise is rarely “do services exist.” The surprise is depth, grade, capacity, and who has to sign off before you can backfill and move on. If you want this figured…

WorkSafeBC coverage is not “builder admin.” It’s part of how you control risk on a custom home site. If a contractor you hire is not registered or not in good standing, WorkSafeBC warns you could be held responsible for premiums, and even jointly liable for unpaid premiums during the period they worked for you. That’s…

Licensed trades matter because they reduce risk. Not “marketing risk.” Real risk: failed inspections, hidden defects behind finished walls, water damage, safety issues, and warranty problems that show up when it’s too late to fix cheaply. Here’s the builder-side truth: on a custom home, the trades are the build. If the wrong people show up,…

If you are building a new custom home on central Vancouver Island today, you are already in BC Energy Step Code territory. Step Code sets performance targets for how efficient and airtight your home must be, and your city or regional district decides which “Step” you have to hit when you apply for a building…

Short answer: often, yes. If your lot has steep slopes, unknown or soft soils, historic fill, is close to water, or sits in a Development Permit Area, the City may require a geotechnical report before issuing your building permit. The report identifies hazards, recommends mitigation, and confirms the land can be used safely for a…

If you’re building a new custom home inside Nanaimo city limits, you will need a Residential Building Permit for New Construction. Depending on your lot, you may also need a Development Permit before the City issues your building permit. Driveway access and utility service approvals are handled with the permit package. The City requires proof…

If you’re planning a custom home on Vancouver Island, here’s the short answer: the BC Building Code sets the minimum rules for safety, energy, and durability, and your city or regional inspectors enforce them at each stage before you get occupancy. We plan your build to the correct Step Code target, coordinate permits, schedule inspections,…