Real Ontario custom-home guidance — planning, budgeting, materials, and what to do next. Choose your path below or jump straight to a call.
Featured Guides
The most popular Ontario building resources on this site — costs, systems, rebates, and code references. (Always confirm final requirements with your local building department.)
Costs & Building Systems
Real-world cost drivers, what affects pricing the most, and how to budget without surprises.
GuideICF pricing, what’s included, and where it can pay you back (comfort + durability + efficiency).
ICFCost breakdowns, best-use cases, and what impacts the final number (slab vs framed floors).
SystemsA plain-English overview of options, pros/cons, and how people choose the right setup.
OverviewWhat geothermal really costs, what changes the price, and when it makes sense in Ontario.
EnergyA practical project-style guide for rebuilds, lifts, and foundation upgrades in Ontario conditions.
ProjectTools & Calculators
Quick estimate tool for Ontario rebates — a good starting point before you finalize numbers.
CalculatorHow HST applies, what’s confusing, and a calculator to help you sanity-check the math.
CalculatorA focused guide + calculator for first-time buyers navigating rebates and paperwork.
RebatesA fast ballpark tool to estimate a build — helpful before you send plans for a real quote.
ToolDownloadable spreadsheet to organize costs and compare quotes apples-to-apples.
DownloadStep-by-step overview of the process and common mistakes (get legal advice for your case).
LegalCode & Reference PDFs
These PDFs are popular, but building codes change. Use them as references and always confirm current requirements for your municipality.
A quick reference many homeowners start with before planning a deck project.
PDFCommonly referenced OBC section for plumbing/systems (verify current edition).
OBC PDFSeptic / on-site sewage systems references (always verify with your local authority).
OBC PDFThe well-known Ontario energy-efficiency standard reference (check latest version).
SB-12HVAC/ventilation references used by many builders and homeowners as a starting point.
OBC PDFHousing and small buildings references (verify the latest official edition).
OBC PDFBuilding near Georgian Bay?
If your project is within about 90 minutes of Tiny Township and you’re considering ICF and radiant heat, you can start here and we’ll guide you to the right next step.
Ontario Build Playbook
Keep swiping — there’s lots more →
Ontario Home Building Calculators
Quick, practical tools to help you plan your build, compare options, and avoid “budget surprises” before you spend money on drawings, permits, or upgrades.
Custom Home Building Calculator (Ontario)
Get a realistic budget range based on size, style, and finish level.
Open calculator →ICF Cost Calculator
Estimate ICF wall cost from wall area, height, openings, and thickness.
Open calculator →Concrete Footings & Slab Calculator
Calculate concrete volume (m³) for footings, frost walls, and slabs.
Open calculator →Footings Cost Calculator
Turn footing dimensions into a budget range with waste and delivery factors.
Open calculator →New Home HST Calculator (Ontario)
Estimate HST and potential rebates so you don’t get blindsided at closing.
Open calculator →ICF vs Stick-Frame Calculator
Compare upfront cost vs long-term savings, comfort, and durability.
Open calculator →Start Here (If You Don’t Want to Waste Money)
If you’re planning a build or renovation in Ontario, these are the pages that answer 80% of the questions I hear every week — and they’ll save you from the “oops, we forgot that” costs.
Planning & Budgeting — the “don’t-go-broke” basics
Before you fall in love with a floor plan, get the budget reality check, the permit reality check, and the site-work reality check. (Your wallet will send you a thank-you card.)
Ontario Building Code — Part 7 (Housing)
What inspectors actually look at (and the stuff that bites you later if you ignore it).
Deck Code Cheat Sheet
Footings, spans, guards, stairs — the common fails that cause rework.
Custom Home Builders (Georgian Bay)
If you’re building up here, you’ve got different soils, wind, frost, and logistics.
Talk to a Builder (No Sales Pitch)
Send your lot, rough size, and what you’re trying to build — I’ll tell you what to watch for.