Approval and paperwork
So we just found out that we got approved for a build mortgage! I have to say that I did have my doubts considering that we are both self employed, we have only been here 7 months, and I don't even have permanent residence status yet. Nevertheless, La Caisse Desjardins decided we had enough of a deposit and prospects that we were were worth the risk, also we already own the land which helps as well. The Caisse is some sort of Quebecois building society and seem sto have a much better understanding of the concept of building your own house than most banks.
In the mean time, the plans have been finalised as you can see above, and we are just waiting for the final blueprints to be delivered. I have booked a percolation test so that we can determine what kind of well and septic tank we need. We already know this as Tom and Mellissa live a few hundred feet away so chances are our requirements will be the same as theirs. However, the test is a requirement to get a building permit. Apparently, I need to book a back hoe whatever that is. I think it is some kind of digging device. Then we need a surveyor to draw up the implementation plan showing where on the land the house will sit. After that we can apply for a building permit and I can start clearing the trees with my new chain saw.
Of course, we still need to get quotes from earth contractors, well diggers, septic tank installers, foundation pourers, builders, dry wall hangers, plumbers, electricians etc. so I'm not sure we will get chance to start building the actual house until next Spring. There is a lot of building work going on already in these parts and outside building work can only carry on until about November or whenever it starts to seriously snow. We might do better to get everything ready for next Spring but we will see how it goes. Nothing seems to move particulalry fast around here, at least not compared to England anyway. Having said that, it may only take a few weeks to put the shell of the house up and get it weather proof. Wood goes up a lot faster than bricks and mortar.
In the mean time, the plans have been finalised as you can see above, and we are just waiting for the final blueprints to be delivered. I have booked a percolation test so that we can determine what kind of well and septic tank we need. We already know this as Tom and Mellissa live a few hundred feet away so chances are our requirements will be the same as theirs. However, the test is a requirement to get a building permit. Apparently, I need to book a back hoe whatever that is. I think it is some kind of digging device. Then we need a surveyor to draw up the implementation plan showing where on the land the house will sit. After that we can apply for a building permit and I can start clearing the trees with my new chain saw.
Of course, we still need to get quotes from earth contractors, well diggers, septic tank installers, foundation pourers, builders, dry wall hangers, plumbers, electricians etc. so I'm not sure we will get chance to start building the actual house until next Spring. There is a lot of building work going on already in these parts and outside building work can only carry on until about November or whenever it starts to seriously snow. We might do better to get everything ready for next Spring but we will see how it goes. Nothing seems to move particulalry fast around here, at least not compared to England anyway. Having said that, it may only take a few weeks to put the shell of the house up and get it weather proof. Wood goes up a lot faster than bricks and mortar.
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