We support our customers based on the level of involvement with which they feel most comfortable. Some customers will actually build the house themselves, others will act as general contractor and hire individual trades, while yet others hire a general contractor to manage the entire project for them. The Linwood package works well in every case, and Hughes Building Systems is ready to assist the customer at whatever level they require.

The general process involves:

Lot Purchase
Home Design Choice
Selection of Builder and Sub-Trades
Budget Finalization
Financing
Obtaining Permits
Home Construction
Finishing Touches
Landscaping

1. Lot Purchase: Before you buy your lot, make sure that there are no major obstacles in obtaining permits for septic, power and water. Linwood representatives will usually visit your site to help you check out all the factors that will affect your home design decision. If you have not already purchased a lot, we can assist you in finding and evaluating potential sites.

2. Home Design Choice: Linwood has developed a number of plan books showing examples of different styles of homes to stimulate the imagination and help conceptualize the vision. However, because this is a true custom home, so you are encouraged to design exactly what you want. We are trained to help you with the design details and guide the process to a successful end.

Once your design is finalized, you are given a firm price quote for a home package which will enable you to proceed to the lock-up stage. At this stage, a contract is signed and the package price guaranteed for three months. Within two weeks of contract signature, you will receive a set of large-scale preliminary drawings showing elevations and floor plans. You can use them to make revisions which are incorporated into final construction blueprints. You may still change these blueprints once again if necessary to fine-tune your design at no extra charge.

The final set of blueprints are highly detailed and will enable you to obtain planning approvals and then proceed to construct your home.

3. Selection of Builder and Sub-Trades: Builders are an important part of your team. You will need a qualified builder and a variety of sub-trades to ensure that construction quality levels are met. General contractors should be licensed and bonded to do business in your area. Make sure the quotes are realistic and that references are available on the individuals or companies concerned. The lowest price quote may not necessarily be the best. Pick people that you relate to and think can help you achieve the best result.

Hughes Building Systems and Linwood can often assist in the selection process by providing you with names of contractors who have previously built Linwood homes and have been recommended by others. If needed, we can also help you locate sub-trades in your area.

4. Budget Finalization: The Linwood package provides you with all materials required to finish your home to the lock-up stage with the exception of the actual concrete foundations. The design costs, including construction blueprints, are also fixed as part of this package price.

The budget will consist of:

Linwood Home Package
Site Preparation and Foundation
Framing Costs and Paint/Stain
Drywall and Insulation
Electrical/Plumbing/Heating
Interior Finishing
Landscaping

Linwood has developed a detailed House Construction Cost Worksheet based on the construction of thousands of homes. Hughes Building Systems will be pleased to assist you in using this worksheet to develop a realistic and comprehensive budget for building and finishing your dream home.

5. Financing: If needed, Hughes Building Systems will be able to introduce you to financial professionals who are fully familiar with the construction of Linwood homes. Lenders often give priority treatment to our customers because of the proven high resale value of the homes.

Feel free to discuss your needs with us and we will try to match your requirements with the right financing package.

Once you have your budget finalized you will know where you stand. The budget and Linwood plan are submitted to the lender together with relevant financial information. Approvals can be as fast as 24 hours due to the familiarity of lenders with Linwood products. We try to make this process as easy as possible for you.

6. Obtaining Permits: Permit requirements vary considerably depending on the local planning authorities. They may include septic, utilities, drainage and energy compliance as well as the actual construction permit. Often, engineering approval is also required.

Hughes Building Systems will work with you and your builder to ensure all necessary approvals are obtained before your home package goes into actual production.

7. Home Construction: The whole home construction process begins with site preparation. This includes the installation of the driveway, bringing services such as water and power to the immediate vicinity of the actual site of the building, the layout of the septic field if required, and preparing drainage lines.

The next step is to excavate for the foundations of the home. These may be simple concrete footings or a foundation wall. Quite often there will be a walk-out or regular basement involved and concrete floors will also be poured at this time.

Once foundations are in place the Linwood home package can arrive on site. The package consists of all the building materials needed to construct the shell of the home to the lock-up stage.

The next step is construction of the shell. The selected contractor begins with framing the house. The package comes with a detailed Construction Manual and access to the Linwood factory for advice. When this framing is finished, the roof will be on, windows in place, siding finished and exterior doors installed.

The next step in your home construction is completing the interior. This will involve a variety of specialized sub-trades such as plumbing, flooring, insulation, and painting, just to name a few. Each individual contractor should be clear about your expectations and use of materials before commencing work.

8. Finishing Touches: The right finishing touches can make a major difference to your home. The right interior design, type of moulding and flooring, and style of cabinetry and interior doors can truly enhance the appeal of the home.

Ask about our new homeowner interior product planning and selection guide.

9. Lanscaping: This often takes place over an extended period of time as trees, shrubs, flowers and lawn grow in. There are a variety of creative things you can do. It is often worthwhile to make use of a landscaping professional to give you some layout ideas before you start work. You can do a little or a lot, it's completely up to you.

The last step is moving in and enjoying your new home!