Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmark Home Builders Ltd. a registered builder in the Province of Ontario?
Yes, every builder in the Province of Ontario must be registered with Tarion Warranty Corporation (formally the Ontario New Home Warranty Program). Richmark has received an “Excellent” rating for the last five years from the Ontario New Home Warranty Program with regard to after sales customer service. Every new home built by Richmark will be enrolled with the Tarion Warranty Corporation.

Does Richmark build only their existing plans or will they design and build a one of kind custom home?
Richmark is a custom builder. We have plans available from homes that we have built in the past for customers to review and we will certainly design and build a one of a kind custom home. Richmark will build the home either on one of its lots or on a lot owned by the customers.

Does is cost more to build a one of a kind custom home?
That is a hard question to answer given that one of a kind custom homes are usually designed and built to a higher specification level than a standard Richmark home. The best way to answer this question is by saying that if the specifications were the same and the size of the homes the same (i.e. same number of bathrooms, same number of garages, same square footage ) the price to build the home would be the same. If the specifications, size and features were increased or decreased the price would reflect the changes made. Richmark is accustomed to building custom homes and therefore does not charge a premium for this service.

Will Richmark modify or customize one of their existing floor plans?
At Richmark, we do not typically build the same plan twice. We strongly encourage our customers to modify or customize a plan to suit their needs and lifestyle. Specifications are reviewed and revised if required. Sketches showing the changes will be prepared and a price for the changes will be provided. Once the changes are finalized and a contract signed, detailed building plans will be completed and again reviewed with the customers prior to construction commencing.

Does Richmark build only on its lots or will they build on a customer’s own lot?
Richmark will build on either one of its own lots throughout the Ottawa area or we will build on a lot that you presently own or are about to purchase. If you have a lot you like that is not owned by Richmark we will also be happy to review the lot with you to tell you if we have any concerns that might affect construction or the pricing of the future home on the lot.

How long does it take to build a new home?
Generally speaking it takes five to six months from the signing of a firm agreement to build a new home. More complex and larger homes could even take longer. The actual construction time is approximately four months on an average sized home, with the first month or two taken up in getting the building plans finalized and in getting the necessary municipal approvals. We will always let customers know right from the beginning as to when the closing date will be and if any unexpected delays, such as a lengthy period of bad weather, occur during the construction process, purchasers will be advised as soon as possible and potentially a new closing date established.

Can I make changes once construction has started?
Generally speaking yes, but that depends solely on the change contemplated. Minor changes can usually be accommodated with the construction schedule, but if a major change is requested, the construction schedule and the eventual closing date may need to be revised. At Richmark we will always entertain changes and we will be happy to give you a price to do the required change. At the time of pricing and the signing of the change order, we will advise our customers if the meeting of the closing date is an issue. We strongly encourage our customers to finalize the plans prior to the actual start of construction but we also realize that sometimes the best ideas only come when you can actually see the house being built.

When do we make all of our selections for the colours and finishes for the home?
Once the contract is signed, and the building plans finalized, you will be given a list of Richmark’s suppliers to visit to make your selections. These suppliers will require you to make an appointment with the specified representative so that you can go over your selections with the individual who is familiar with your plan and the individual specifications for your home. We strongly encourage that all selections be made as quickly as possible to ensure that the construction schedule does not get delayed because of a missing selection.

If after sales service is required on our home, can this work be done in the evenings or on weekends?
As a general rule, all after sales service is done between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Richmark will always try to accommodate our customers’ busy schedules but our trades generally only work between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If service work is required, the individual trade will be provided with the contact numbers for the homeowner and will contact the homeowner directly. It will be the responsibility of the homeowner to schedule a time directly with the individual trade.