Victoria, BC Homeowners Fall Maintenance List Cont’d (missed part 1 of our Homeowners Fall Maintenance Checklist?) 5. Clean your gutters This is such a simple step and one you can mostly do on your own. If you don’t have the proper ladders and equipment we urge you to call a professional instead of trying anything unsafe or procrastinating until you end up with problems. Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks, ice damming, and ruin your gutters. 6. Assess your roof If you have traditional shingles look for wear and tear, missing or broken shingles. Also inspect the flashing around the vents and stacks and ensure there aren’t any leaks. If you have metal roofing it’s unlikely you have any leaks but have a look at all attachment points and repair… Read more »

Fall is in full effect here in Victoria. The trees have pretty well shed all of their leaves which means you’ve probably spent a few hours raking them up. Outside of raking leaves, there are a few things to make sure your home is ready for winter. Turn off outdoor hoses   You might think that it doesn’t get cold enough in Victoria to turn off all your outdoor faucets and disconnect the hoses, but when temperatures dip below freezing it can turn into a serious mess. Frozen water expands and contracts as it freezes and thaws and that can cause pipes to burst, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Custom home builders in Victoria usually install shutoffs to outdoor faucets. Blow out your sprinkler system If you’re lucky… Read more »

Building a custom home can be a massive undertaking and many people try to do interior design on their own. Here are 4 reasons to put that Do-It-Yourself attitude aside for this project. 1. They will help keep contractors true to design. A designer can make sure things are being done as it was decided on paper. This saves you from having to deal with any hassles. A designer can be your best advocate, for getting things done just the way you want them. 2. They’re experienced in the industry This has two implications. The first being they already know the ins and outs of the process, and how to communicate properly with a contractor. A designer will also know people in the industry and this can be a major… Read more »

What’s The Best Type of Heating System For My New Custom Home? The leaves are falling from the trees, the days are growing shorter, and the first of our seasonal West Coast storms has already moved across the South Island. There’s no question that Autumn has arrived in Victoria, which means the colder temperatures of winter won’t be far behind.   Building a custom home in our wet coastal climate requires smart decision-making when it comes to choosing your in-home heating source. With so many heating options available, LIDA Homes would like to take you through the pros and cons of some of the more common types of heating systems to help you make the best decision for your home. Choosing the most suitable heating system for your new home… Read more »

After going through the process of building a custom home in Victoria BC, you’ll want to take these necessary steps to protect your investment and your family. Roof If you have shingles make sure you check for loose shingles or any signs of wear and tear. This is especially true if you live in a well-treed area, as trees can wreak havoc on a roof. If you have a metal roof check for signs that it has loosened off. Attic Insulation If your roof doesn’t have proper insulation a nasty thing called ice damming can happen if we get some ice or snow. This is when the heat from your house escapes into the ice and snow sitting immediately on top of your roof. It then melts and has nowhere… Read more »

6 Benefits of Building a New Custom Home There are many reasons to build a custom home in Victoria BC rather than buying an existing home. Although it takes longer than just buying a home, the benefits are well worth it. Here are six benefits on building a new custom home. 1 – Newer Products are Healthier Gone are the days when toxic chemicals are allowed in home construction. Things like formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, fungicides and heavy metals are still present in older homes but custom home builders in Victoria choose healthier options. 2 – Customize to your lifestyle and taste You’re in the driver seat and are in control of pretty much everything, from floor plans, finishes, paint, hardware not to mention neighbourhood. Instead of settling for someone… Read more »

If you are reading this blog post then you most likely have decided that you want to build a custom home. Fantastic! But where is your dream home going to be located? We wanted to help you figure that out by providing you tips on choosing the right Victoria BC neighbourhood. Before you read the rest of this blog post, you might want to read our blog post on the top three areas you can build in Victoria BC. If you still aren’t sure what neighbourhood you want to build in, read on and we hope to make the decision a little easier for you. Make a List of Your Neighbour Wants and Needs Is it really important for you to be a quick walk to work or is a… Read more »

Find Success and Peace of Mind by Following Our 5-Step Process Building a home in Victoria can be both a rewarding and stressful event in your life. However, with proper planning and realistic expectations, you can smooth out the process nicely. Here are some great steps to consider when building a new house. 1. Determine Wants and Needs The first to any project, especially building a house is establishing the most important items on your list. What are your wants and needs. Fully understanding the difference between the two are fundamentals of being able to make good decisions regarding your custom home building. 2. Sticking to a Budget A couple of tricks of the trade are to remember to include the building fees, property tax, purchase of the land, construction… Read more »

Save Time and Money by Hiring a Home Building Company Have you spent too much precious time endlessly looking at properties with a real estate agent and haven’t found that wow factor you’re looking for? A new home should feel exciting and a fresh canvas to decorate that will showcase your style and taste. This is why a custom built home might be your best option. Here are some reasons. Why Hire A Custom Builder? The biggest advantage of hiring a custom house building company in Victoria is getting exactly the home you dream of just the way you want it. Starting with the floor plan customized to fit your lifestyle and personal preferences right down to the square footage and number of bedrooms. Hardwood floors, carpeting, kitchen cabinets, door… Read more »