Whether it’s a custom home or a new cottage in the South Georgian Bay area, your dream begins with the right location and the right builder. At DeCarli Contractors, creating the home or cottage you envision is as important to us as it is to you. With decades of experience and a strong track record of satisfied local and GTA customers, rest assured that we can build a true reflection of your vision, on time and on budget.
It’s our pleasure to guide you through each step of the process.
Communicating your vision
The journey begins with the house or cottage you have in your mind’s eye. Whether you’re planning an ultra-modern lakeside cottage or a post-and-beam log home nestled in the woods, we start by gathering your ideas. If you have plans in hand, all the better!
Expressing your vision will help us tailor every aspect of your home to suit. During this initial phase, we draw on our knowledge of local zoning laws and building regulations to ensure that what you imagine is something that we can execute.
Once we get a good sense of your needs, we will build out a high-level estimate so that you can understand the costs involved. As a general contractor, we take on all aspects of the build, from permitting to handing over the keys. We often take on the responsibility of landscaping, driveway finishing, pool and tennis court building, building decks and out-buildings, piers, docks, and more.
Fixed-price quotation
As your vision takes shape, we can engage our in-house interior design firm, Rêve, or you might have your own. If your build requires an architect, we have our go-to firms. Once the plan is close to complete, we will create a more in-depth estimate so that you can get closer to the final numbers. Assuming that this estimate meets with your approval, we will then produce a detailed quotation. This typically involves 300 to 400 line items: everything involved in your build, from permits to driveway paving to flagstones and light fixtures. Assuming that there are no changes made along the way, this is the price you will pay.
Most builders end with an estimate; they do not provide a fixed-price quotation. You may have heard horror stories of custom home or cottage builds going well beyond estimated cost. This is stressful and can be financially difficult for the customer, not to mention unprofessional on the part of the builder. It happens more often than not, and it’s because an estimate is simply an educated guess. Costing, as opposed to estimating, takes time and effort but the end result is numbers that you can count on.
Planning, Permits & Timing
After refining your design and costing the work, we move into the planning phase, where meticulous attention is paid to drafting and obtaining the necessary permits. Our deep understanding of the regulatory landscape in Midland and the South Georgian Bay area, and our familiarity with local building departments, allows us to most efficiently navigate this complex process.
For the building schedule, we will propose a realistic timeline. As with our fixed-price quotation, we aim to keep our promises. We would rather that you have the pleasant surprise of walking into your new home ahead of schedule than weeks or months late. Major factors in building timelines include permitting, seasonality (winter!) and materials availability. Rest assured that once we begin your build, we will be there every workday until it is complete, on time.
Construction & Finishing
With a clear plan, timeline and budget in place, construction begins. Our skilled carpenters and tradespeople will bring your plans to life, adhering to the highest build standards. We will keep you up to date on progress weekly, or more often if you desire. We invite you to visit your build site regularly for a walk-through, or we can update you by telephone or video call. Should you have any questions, we always pick up the phone.
As construction nears completion, we focus on the finishing touches and detailed work for which DeCarli has earned a reputation. We finish kitchens, bathrooms and other house features meticulously, as well as the landscaping that will perfectly complement your new home’s setting. A final walkthrough will ensure that every detail meets your expectations before we hand you the keys to your new home.
Post-Build Support
Our commitment to you doesn’t end once you settle in. A full inspection after one year and ongoing support is standard. We want to make sure that your home remains a source of pride and joy.
Our Commitment to You
Choosing DeCarli Contractors means partnering with a team dedicated to precision, integrity, and personalized service. Building a custom cottage or home in Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay Townships, Georgian Bay and Severn Townships should be a creative and enjoyable–and above all else, predictable–experience. We do our best to make it so.
