Process
Avvio Fine Homes implements a proven design-build delivery model to create your dream custom home in Toronto and the GTA. With our 6-Point Ironclad Guarantee, you’ll never have to worry about delays or subpar work. Backed by building science, your home will always be built with high performance in mind – on time and within your budget.
Should You Consult With an Architect or Builder First?
Architects and house designers are a critical part of the custom-building process. But they may not be the best first step:
- Because most architects know more about academic architecture than practical building
- Because many architects prioritize design over cost to build
- Because some architects are more interested in impressing their peers or rounding out their portfolio than delivering your needs and preferences
The problem is, without a deep understanding of practical construction, an architect will often design a home that takes too long and costs too much to build. That’s why 80% of designs never get built. Especially when you can often get the same (or even better) result faster and for a lower cost.
So instead of going directly to an architect, get in touch with our team.
Through our design build model, we take a more holistic approach to:
- Understand your vision, refine your ideas and suggest alternative (optimal) options
- Design your home as a system – from the start. Planned and modelled to achieve high performance and energy certification while ensuring safety in construction
- Embed building science to achieve exceptional quality
- Ensure your home is multigenerational or a multiplex, if needed
- Be the single source of responsibility that can see the entire process through
- Help you get more for your money
- Get a faster result for a lower cost
- Avoid communication gaps and delays
Whether you have seen an architect or not, we invite you to get in touch so we can help you avoid expensive mistakes
and get off to the best start possible in building your dream home.
Our Simplified Design-Build Process
We believe in transparent, open communication throughout each step of your custom home building journey.
Here’s our simplified, Design Build process:
Step 1
Discovery Call
This informal introduction helps you get off to the best start by answering your immediate questions and providing specific suggestions relating to your land, type of house you want, budget, and preferences in floorplan, features, energy efficiency, and finishes. We will also point out potential pitfalls to watch out for. And give you tips to help you enjoy your building experience. This call is free and without obligation. It’s our way of sharing our 10+ years of experience and knowledge leading similar projects, to help you get the exact custom home you want.
Step 2
Project Assessment & Solutions Presentation
With your permission, we will assess your site to get a feel for the property and identify any potential obstacles and recommend strategies to optimize your design for natural light and suitability for solar power, views, and privacy. We will review your project in more detail, showing you the benefits – and our process – for delivering high performance homes with energy certifications. And we will outline next steps and your investment including due diligence services, surveying, architectural designs, high performance optimization, energy modelling and solar design for Net Zero New Homes.
Step 3
Dream Design Development
Having formed a connection, we will help you clarify and refine your architectural design ideas. If you’re still putting your ideas together, we’ll help you prioritize your preferences for floor plans and the exterior and start discussing finishes, so you have greater clarity in your decisions.
Step 4
Concept Design Completion
This is where your ideas really start to take shape with a formal design and a colour rendering of the exterior so you can see what it will look like to come home. Our Designer will transfer your vision to paper so you can get a feel for the floorplan (including the general flow and sizing of each room). For Net Zero New Homes, the design is optimized and energy modelled, and a preliminary solar design is prepared. And we engage relevant professionals to carry out due diligence steps.
Step 5
High-Performance Optimization and Design Finalization
Using Modelling by government approved third-party building science expert energy advisors, we will optimize your Concept Design for maximum energy efficiency to achieve Net Zero or Energy Star certification. This is where we combine art and building science to create a design that is elegantly functional, supremely comfortable, and measurably energy efficient. We will finalize your architectural plans with structural and other engineering, and HVAC and solar design specifications. With your confirmation, we will apply and obtain all permits.
Step 6
Interior Design Development
Now it’s time to go shopping. Our interior designer will help you choose your selections. And don’t worry — with our Selection System, you’ll find this intuitive and fun.
Step 7
Site Preparation And Building Agreement
We will get the site prepared by disconnecting utilities and complete a site survey, designated substances remediation, and tree removal and protection.
We also present and agree on the fixed price quotation and contract. The design is our baby, and we will know the ins and outs of it best since we created all the details, resulting in a more accurate estimate and fixed price quotation. And we will schedule all trades in preparation for a smooth, enjoyable building experience.
Step 8
Construction
Once we have prepared by obtaining necessary insurance and making safety plans, it’s time to pick up our tools beginning with final site preparation and soil testing.
Then we start with demolition, shoring, excavation, footings and foundation, wood framing with structural steel and exterior insulation, roofing and windows. With our proven planning process you’ll be amazed how quickly things come together.
Next comes rough-in’s for plumbing, ducting for heating and air conditioning, and electrical. While exterior cladding is being installed, we are working inside to insulate and install drywall and plaster.
At this time we perform our first blower door test to show where the leakage is, so we can air seal it immediately. Our finishing then begins with tile flooring, interior finish carpentry, painting, hardwood and millwork with counter tops being installed. Then back outside for landscaping and exterior finishing. A final push inside with plumbing and lighting fixtures, shower glass and mirrors, and appliances.
Once the house is completed, a final blower door test is conducted (and EnerGuide rating is calculated) by an approved energy advisor to independently verify the performance, air tightness and energy consumption of your home. Make no mistake, you’ll feel part of this entire journey as you follow every step through our Building Management Platform.
Step 9
Move In
It’s time to introduce you to your new home. Together, we will take a magnifying glass to every detail, checking for the slightest imperfection. If anything needs adjusting, we will rectify it immediately. We will give everything a final clean before giving you your Handbook (including all your warranties and tips for caring for your home), Energy Certification Letters and labels, and keys. And continue to support you as you enjoy your home for many years including answering any questions.
What Our Clients Say
Over the past 10+ years we’ve had the privilege of helping discerning Greater Toronto families get the luxurious, functional, energy-efficient home they’ve always wanted. Here’s what some of them say about their experience with our team:
Start Your Home Building Journey – On Time and On Budget
You’ve seen how our proven design-build process has delivered for our many delighted clients. Now we invite you to see how we may be able to help you too.
Book a Free Discovery Session where we’ll answer your questions, share our passion, and help you clarify and refine the vision you have for your new home. We’ll also show you how we can help to bring your vision to life in the exact high-performance home you want – on time and on budget.
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