Can you believe we are only a week away from the 2017 Vancouver Fall Home Show? Our team has been gearing up for the show for the past couple months, but we shouldn't be the only ones getting ready! If you are shopping for a design-build team such as ours, keep in mind that not all firms are alike. Every company will have their own specialty or niche offering, so preliminary conversations like the one's you'll have at the show are key. Here are a few elements to keep in mind when talking to builders at the show:
Visiting a home show can be overwhelming when there are hundreds of booths competing for your attention. Take a look at the exhibitor list ahead of time and write down the companies you’d like to visit. Ask yourself these questions:
Knowing what you are looking to get out of the show will keep you focused. Take notes and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This will ensure a good record to refer back to once you are back home.
Choosing a company to take on a big project like a custom home or major renovation is a big decision. You will be working with this team for months, so make sure your communication styles are a good match.Ask them to describe their process. Will they be communicating with you in person and via phone regularly, or just over email? If you have a concern and need to get in touch, can they guarantee a window of time to get back to you? If the company answers no, or it doesn’t seem like communication is a priority for them, take that as a warning sign of how they may treat you during your project.Communication is one of the most important aspects of any large scale project. This is your home, so it is crucial that you are always on the same page as your builder.
You are trusting a builder with your home, something which is very personal. It’s important to vet any company you are considering which includes asking them about their history. Check out examples of their work and ask questions. Your builder should be proud and eager to tell you the story of each and every project.It's important to feel a connection with your builder, so be sure to also ask questions about the company and it's people. Every member of the Novell team will be taking a turn at our booth, so come by and meet us!The team you choose will be building your story, so have fun with it! No question or idea is too small. It's the builder's role to take your priorities and create something you'll love, so share whatever is on your mind.If you keep in mind the 3 elements of Goals, Communication and Story while talking with builders, the conversations should flow with ease. There is also a lot to experience at the show outside of visiting vendors. Check out any presentations or workshops that interest you (including from our own Laurel James) and take your time just browsing around. The show should feel like a treat, not a chore, so be sure to take time for yourself to explore everything the show has to offer.We'll see you at the 2017 Vancouver Fall Home Show!
Our Director, Laurel James sat down with Jennifer-Lee and Mike from the HAVAN Podcast, "Measure Twice, Cut Once" to discuss Multi Family Homes. With all the changes coming to the province this summer, it's one you won't want to miss.
In a bid to help fill the "missing middle" housing gap, the City of Vancouver has announced a new housing initiative, the Making HOME program. Design Build firms offer the breadth of service necessary to deliver this type of project from start to finish. A six dwelling property won't suffice for Vancouverites unless it is thoughtfully crafted, and meaningful to its inhabitants.
