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03Feb
2022
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West Coast Dreaming

West Coast Dreaming

With the frigid temperatures making an appearance here in Alberta, we can’t help but dream of spring and warmer days! I’m sure we are not alone in having the constant thought of “Why do I live here again?” when the windchill dips below -30. Especially when we hear from our satellite office in Victoria, B.C and they are experiencing positive temperatures and spring weather.

While we love Alberta, we can’t help but envy the beauty of Victoria. Not just for its warmer temperatures and early blooms. Victoria and its surrounding communities, such as Saanich or Langford, are an ideal location to build your custom home. With cityscapes, breathtaking ocean views, and picturesque mountains; there is no denying that Vancouver Island boasts some of the best scenery out there. What more could you ask for to build your dream home?

With an array of landscapes around Victoria, your custom home should take advantage of the opportunities presented by your property.  Boss Design Ltd. prides itself in the details. We dedicate the time to examine your Lot, assess the overall neighbourhood, and ensure we are designing a custom home that exceeds expectations.

Pinehurst at Bear Mountain is just one of many spectacular Victoria area locations. With a number of custom home designs on the go for this location, we have prioritized capturing the natural landscape with the placement of large windows in key rooms and accommodating each design to its specific lot. A custom home fit for island life!

We’re delighted to share three of our recent projects completed for our B.C clientele. Let us know which one you would choose!

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07Jan
2022
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NAIT Scholarship

Boss Design and NAIT

Boss Design is once again partnering with the NAIT Architectural Technology program, awarding the students with the highest academic achievement in Residential Construction & Design with the Boss Design Scholarship. Since its inception is 2016, this scholarship has been able to assist many students.

As a design firm, 10 out of the current 11 designers working at Boss Design are NAIT Alumni themselves. When Jeremy and Brett were NAIT students, there was not much course content devoted to residential design work. We know the value and expertise NAIT offers, and seeing that there was a gap, they wanted to find a way to foster the growth and knowledge of all Architectural Technology students to follow.

Every year, Jeremy and Brett make a presentation to current Architectural Technology and Interior Design students. We’re always excited to share the calibre of work Boss Design has to offer its clientele, as well as give up and coming designers the opportunity to envision what they are capable of.

Boss Design continues to be a huge asset to the Residential Design elective course, and we are proud to partner with NAIT and its instructors.

Best of luck to all current NAIT students, and to all future students looking to enter into the field of Architectural Design!

02Dec
2021
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Boss Design is giving back

Boss Design is partnering with WIN house this year for our annual Christmas charity.

WIN House provides a safe place and emergency services for women and children fleeing gender-based abuse. As a safe haven for victims, they connect and equip individuals with the support and hope they need to overcome an abusive situation.

They are in dire need of Household starter kits right now. Everything from utensils to baking sheets, cups, plates, coffee makers, and everything you might need to fill a new home. Most of these women are starting out with nothing. Due to the on-going pandemic, all items need to be brand new, or gift cards to grocery, gas, and toy stores are also gladly accepted. 

Our goal this year is to put together 25 hampers to be able to help out as many as possible. If you are looking for a great cause to support this year please look into the WIN house. If you would like to donate any items to add to the hampers that Boss Design is putting together please contact us and we can give you some more information.

Happy Holidays

03Dec
2020
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STEPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR CUSTOM DREAM HOME

Step 4: STEPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR CUSTOM DREAM HOME

You’ve set your budget, selected your design team, and soul search and scoured the internet to create your wish list. Now it’s time to start formulating those ideas into a set of plans. 

Your design team will sit down with you and begin to spatially plan the areas of your custom home, and determine the best layout. We will also take an in-depth look at your building site. If you’re building on an acreage, you’ll want to take advantage of the beautiful views with picturesque windows. If you’re building the city, we need to take setbacks and city bylaw requirements into consideration; which restricts us to the building pocket in which we are allowed to build in. We also take note of existing trees, powerpoles, or fixed structures that need to be accommodated in the design. Other homes and structures in the area are also assessed and how they may affect the placement of certain rooms and windows in your home. Depending on the neighbourhood you select, Architectural Controls will also need to be consulted. This is a separate company in charge of making sure the integrity of homes being built all meet the same standard. Mandating the exterior architectural styling of the homes use approved materials and colours, as well as the minimum and maximum square footages of the homes that can be built in relationship to the adjacent dwellings. 

Current building codes are also followed, to ensure your custom home is compliant and meets those requirements from the start. Some people may prefer to use a stock plan purchased online, however unless that home was designed specifically for the area you plan to build with up to date building code; you are likely to run into extra costs to bring your plans to appropriate building standards.

We also consider resale value. Even if you never plan on leaving your new custom home, the future is unpredictable. We may ask you questions about potential life changes. And while we want to personalize your custom home to your lifestyle and wishlist, we recommend staying away from too many unique requests that could deter potential buyers in the future. 

This may seem like an abundance of information to consider, however this is where choosing an experienced and qualified team helps. We tackle these components everyday, and are able to look at all of the information and simplify it into a beautiful plan, tailored to you.

CUSTOM HOME DESIGN PROCESS

Preliminary Drawings

After gathering all of the pertinent information, and we’ve gone over your wishlist and budget; the magic can begin. Preliminary Design. Your architectural technologist will sit down with all of this information, and begin creating your home. As designers, we try our best to create your vision, but we must also bring efficiency into the equation. Perfect placement of hallways, windows, entrances…etc. This stage of the process takes time, and as your designers we work hard to create your perfect, custom design that works for you. Once complete, your plans are sent off to you for review. 

Your preliminary plans show the overall footprint of your custom home; interior walls, window and door placements, proposed kitchen and bathroom layouts. 

Typically, it takes two or more renditions to create prime efficiency, and a personalized layout that works for you. Next, we start on the front elevation. Then from here, once we receive your approval, we proceed to working drawings.

working Drawings or construction drawings

Working drawings are a complete set of plans that can be used for accurate tendering for building permits and construction. These plans are meticulously detailed and complex, and take time to complete. We note all dimensions, windows and door sizes, notes for beams and structures involved for construction. We also complete your remaining elevations, along with a building section and roof plan. 

In order to eliminate any confusion during the build process, we are sure to note any specific areas that may require more extensive detailing. We produce accurate plans, each going through a two stage review process to eliminate any errors or discrepancies before leaving our office. It is at this stage, or before, that a plot plan must be completed, either by you or we can send it on your behalf.

3d rendering

Our 3D rendering team are visual artists, bringing the lines on the paper to life. We apply different finishes, materials, and colour palettes to truly represent what your custom home will look like once built on the exterior and interior. Our clients find that the extra investment has saved them time and money down the line and exceeded their expectations.

PERMITS

Depending on the location you plan on building, you will need to go through the permitting process. Each municipality and county has their own terms and guidelines prior to submission. Engineered drawings will be required for certain details within your home. As well as, energy reports may also be required. Both completed by a third party company. We have a list of trusted firms we recommend to our clientele, as this is not something we can complete in our office. However, we are happy to assist coordinate. You will also need to have your floor and roof layouts completed by an appropriate manufacturer.

A plot plan or site plan in a separate document that gets completed through a third party company. This will show your overall lot, grading heights, as well as your home outline. For most cases we will complete the working drawings and then send the most accurate set of plans to get a plot plan completed. We may send it off sooner if we are concerned with the size of the house on the lot, if there are any grading issues that need to be addressed early on, or if we are trying to expedite the design process. 

step 1: budget
step 2: team
step 3: wish list
13Nov
2020
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Find Your Dream Custom Home Design Team

Step 2: Find Your Dream Custom Home Design Team

Once you have determined your budget, it is time to start interviewing Architectural Designers, Interior Designers, and Builders. It is important to seek out options and take an honest look at costs and expertise. It is about finding the best value, which is often not about the cheapest price. Selecting a good quality team is what will help make the process run smoothly.

Architectural Team

Do I need an Architect or and Architectural Technologist?

Many do not realize that Architects & Architectural Technologists go through similar training. While both professions revolve around home and building design, there remain some skills that necessitate hiring one over the other. 

Buildings used for public assembly such as churches, community halls, schools, and Motels/Hotels that exceed allowable area exemptions of 300-500 square meters; and residential buildings with an occupancy of five dwellings or more requires a registered Architect. 

An Architectural Technologist can be sourced to design single family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes or quadruplexes.

What does an Architectural Technologist do?

An Architectural Technologist is responsible for translating design concepts into drawings and specifications. They can work alongside Architects or independently; depending on the overall scope of the design. They are experienced in working with up to date building codes and following bylaws.

So which one should you go with?

The majority of homes are designed by Architectural Technologists. Some truly unique projects or extravagantly large homes may require the services of an Architect. This is dependent on the scope and size of the design, and it’s best to speak with both to see where your home might fit best. 

At Boss Design we are an experienced firm of Architectural Technologists. We work as a team, bouncing ideas off of each other, bringing multiple perspectives and ideas; in turn yielding more ideas leading to a better design for our clients. All of our designs go through a two step review process to ensure accuracy before plans are released for permits and construction. 

Interior Design

Interior Designers are professionally trained in space planning in residential and commercial builds. If you crave beautifully crafted spaces, their skillset goes beyond the charm; most have received training in Architecture, Design, Construction, Building Codes, and Sustainability. 

Including an Interior Designer as part of your design team, will not only elevate your design but they are there to assist you in creating spaces in your home to fit your personality and carry a level of detail throughout your home to create a cohesive aesthetic. 

Working with your budget and lifestyle, a skilled Interior Designer will balance the details while still keeping their eye on the big picture. 

Some designers will be involved throughout the design process with your Architectural Designer, allowing for a more cohesive process and only one set of plans to follow. and more cost effective down the line. At Boss Design, we offer Interior Design packages dependent on the level of service you’re looking for. We are there for consultation, if you require simple direction and advice; or we can assist in picking out finishes and materials, and work closely with your builder to ensure your vision is translated into your home as expected.

Selecting a Builder

Choosing the right builder to construct your home is as important as selecting the correct home design. Construction is a lengthy process, often taking up to a year or more to complete. Satisfaction with the final product  depends on selecting a builder you’re comfortable with and who has the qualifications to get the job done right and on budget. They will also be responsible for future warranty work, so this relationship needs to be one you are comfortable with. 

There are thousands of builders to choose from in North America. Each with their own unique specializations and market focus. Research the builders in your area through various methods such as the internet, friends and family, home builder associations, new home warranty programs and especially the builder’s former clients. Boss Design  works with a various group of builders we recommend. You can always contact the city/county they work in and ask the permitting and inspection divisions about their reputation. This should provide you with a clear understanding of who they are, the quality of the houses they build, and the after sale service that they offer. 

The construction or renovation of a home is a complex process. A builder will combine the expertise of up to 40 different skilled trades, and numerous product suppliers. While constructing your home, careful planning must ensure that the home meets or exceeds the context of the building code, development permits and inspections. When sitting down with a builder for the first time, ask a lot of questions.

Here is a list of some common questions that you can bring with you to ask:

How long has the company been in business? 

How are the builder fees calculated? 

How many homes do you build a year? 

Is building homes your full time profession? 

What type and size of home do you typically build? 

What is your after-sale service policy? 

How would a typical service issue be resolved? 

How do they handle change orders and associated costs?

What is the payment schedule during the build?

Can you provide a list of your former clients for references?

Who are the trades that will be working on my home? 

Are they affiliated with the new home warranty program?

When selecting a builder, choose the one you feel most comfortable with. A builder who is reputable, reliable and an effective communicator will often be a safe choice. The builder should view the satisfaction of the client as the main priority, if issues arise or changes need to occur during the build. 

A good builder will never make promises he cannot deliver. 

Completing dates, final pricing and payment schedules should always be put in writing. Builders warranty and after sale service programs should be clearly explained and noted in the contract. These programs can range in length and complexity, and should be included into the cost of the construction. A reputable builder will have an equally reputable warranty and service program.  

The costs of construction will vary between builders. Every builder has different rates and includes different things in their final price. Some will include large allowances for items such as finishing, flooring, lighting, appliances, cabinetry, landscaping…etc. If the final prices are above or below the allowances for an item, the clients will pay the difference or have it credited back to them. Other builders won’t provide a build price to a potential client until they have gone through the process of selecting all of the items they would like in their home. The builder will add all of these items together and add a percentage for their management fee and the final price is determined. 

Be apprehensive of a builder with a dramatically lower price when compared to the competition. They might not be honest about the costs involved to build the house, or their quality may be suspect. They may also require more money during the process of the build if they have understated the costs initially. However, don’t choose the builder with the highest price either unless their reputation with previous customers is impeccable. 

Designers, Contractors, and clients do not change their personality or communication style on a per project basis. It is imperative to have a rapport with the members of your design team. It cannot be overstated, you must feel a connection to ensure a positive working relationship throughout the entire process.

Step 3: Wish List 

Step 4: Custom Home Design

Step 1: Budget

20Nov
2020
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Building Your Custom Home Wish list

Step 3: Building Your Custom Home Wish list

Once you have determined your budget, and have begun narrowing down builders and design firms, the fun part begins. The Wish List. All of your wants, needs, and dreams you want to incorporate into your new custom dream home; and really decide what matters the most to you and your family and what you must have in your custom home.

type of custom home

What type of custom home are you looking for? Bungalow, Two Storey? Would you like a walkout basement? If you are renovating, what are you envisioning for the final structure of the home. Are you thinking that adding a second story would make your home function better, or would an addition off the front or back be more useful? These are some of the big questions you need to ask yourself.

Two stories are most popular amongst young families looking for a lot of living space at minimal cost. It is less expensive to build upwards than to increase the size of the main floor. Two stories tend to be less expensive per developed square foot than bungalows, and are popular and abundant in neighbourhoods with more affordable price ranges. 

Another reason young families love two stories, the general design allows the children’s bedrooms to be placed in close proximity to the master bedroom, in turn containing children’s toys and clutter to the upstairs, away from the primary entertaining spaces of the main floor. 

Bungalows are most popular with empty nesters and those with older children. With the lack of a second floor, there is no need for load bearing walls which allows for the opportunity for an open concept design and raised or vaulted ceilings. Bungalows are often found in more expensive areas, where lot sizes are larger and can accommodate a larger main floor footprint. 

If the slope of the land is great enough, a walkout basement may be possible. These are popular because they provide homeowners with attractive living spaces at ground level beneath the main floor. Walkouts can also give the appearance of 2 or 3 storey on the walkout side, and add a great deal of value to a home for a modest amount of expenditure. 

You also need to take a look at the approx sq.ft. that you are looking at building (this number may also be decided based on your budget as to how big we can go). If you are buying a lot that comes with some restrictions, you may have a specific size range that we need to build in. If you are building on a lot that has no size restrictions make sure to really evaluate the spaces and what you are able to manage now and in the future if this is your forever home.

Style of Home

What style of custom home appeals to you most? Are you really into a modern structure or do you like more of a traditional home style? Does a rustic mountain home sound like something that suits your personality? Are you loving the all white modern farmhouse look? There are so many different options out there to choose from. Checking online resources like Instagram, Pinterest and Houzz are a great and simple way to see a lot of different homes in a short period of time. One fun way to see what appeals to you most is to go for a drive. Drive through different neighbourhoods and areas where you live or would like to live. If you see a house that you like, snap a quick picture. You can make a day out of it and have fun exploring new areas and home styles.

How the home will function

Coming up with a wish list also helps designers really see where the focus and heart of the custom home resides, and what is truly important to you. This knowledge allows us as designers to create your custom home and focus the budget into areas that are most important to you. For example, for some the kitchen and living areas are incredibly important. Large dining spaces, or kitchen islands where everyone can gather. If you enjoy entertaining, or if you have a large family that you need to accommodate with extra bedrooms. Or something as simple as wishing to walk in your front door, and having a place to put your keys on the left hand side. It’s all in the details. 

A great and easy way to start your wishlist is through online resources, such as Pinterest and Houzz  . You can create your own inspiration boards, adding notes to each image to reference what you love about each, and save all your ideas to share with your design team.

We have a spreadsheet available for download on our website as well if you prefer putting pen to paper. We thrive on detail and specifics, so we recommend going into as much detail as possible. Your design team will sit down with you and review the areas of your custom home, and also offer up suggestions to ensure efficiency and creative pathways for the spaces within your custom home.
It is worth noting, that as you are coming up with this list you should also consider the resale value. If very unique, overly personal options are selected, expect objections from potential buyers in the future. Even if you do not plan on selling, we still recommend keeping this in mind; the future is very unpredictable.

have fun! 

step 4: CUSTOM HOME DESIGN 
step 1: budget
step 2: team
Wish List
13Nov
2020
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How To Create A Budget For Your Custom Home Design

STEP 1: How To Create A Budget For Your Custom Home Design

Are you planning to build a custom new home, and unsure of where to start? The process can be overwhelming, but it is one of those most exciting experiences as well! We have created a guide to help you along this journey.

This step-by-step guide takes you through the complex process of designing and building your custom dream home.

 

STEP 1: CREATING A BUDGET FOR YOUR PROJECT

Before you make any other decisions, it is critical that you determine what your budget is. When it comes to design, there is nothing worse than going through the process and falling in love with a design only to find out it is out of reach. We have the knowledge and skill to focus on the elements that matter the most to you. This process does not come without stressors, but your designer and builder are there to support you, and ensure you receive the best design to fit your budget and wish list.

FIND A MORTGAGE LENDER

The first step should always be determining what you can afford, either through your bank or a private mortgage broker. Your mortgage lender will need to see your tax returns, sources of income, and any savings account statements. If you get approved for a large loan, it may or may not be in your best interest to borrow the full amount. It is also wise to take your income stability and the strength of the housing market into consideration

THE 25% RULE

The quickest way to estimate your budget is the 25% rule. Take your total take home pay, including all sources of income and calculate 25% of that. Your total mortgage payment each month, plus other expenses such as your property taxes, home insurance, utilities…etc. should be less than this amount.

EXPENSES BEYOND THE MORTGAGE

Getting pre-approved for your mortgage is important, but it is only one of many considerations. People often overlook proposed yearly property taxes. The size of the home, and the neighbourhood both influence the property tax values. Generally speaking, the larger the home the more expensive the property taxes will be. You will also need to consider home insurance, utilities, and maintenance costs. Also take any other debts you may be carrying into consideration. Ideally, your monthly debt costs each month should be below 40% of your take home pay.

FINDING YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Real estate values vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, city to city, and county to county. If you have your heart set on a particular neighbourhood, we suggest doing some research on the average costs of homes in the area, and the average cost per square foot. You can also find out the average lot price, and what the minimum square footage required to build in the neighbourhood is. This will also help you determine if the home you want to build fits within your budget.

Being honest and letting your builder and designer know this number helps us to make sure we are designing within reason and to make sure you get the best design. We have the knowledge and skill to be able to “cut” costs in areas of the design where it’s not as important and really put the focus and dollars into the areas that matter most to you.

step 2: team
step 3: wish list
step 4: custom home design
19Mar
2020
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Choosing a Residential Designer to Create Your Dream Home

Home Designing and building a home can be one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. The world of home design can be difficult to navigate and seem overwhelming at times. That’s why choosing a knowledgeable designer is key. At Boss Design, designing dream homes is all about the details. It takes commitment to the whole project, not just to one portion of the work.
It’s this philosophy that founder and principal designer, Jeremy Walter, has followed since the beginning.

Walter attended the Architectural Technology program at NAIT and then went on to work at an architectural firm. However, Walter soon realized that commercial and industrial design wasn’t the path he wanted to take. Home is where the heart is. Walter joined a local boutique home builder and found his calling in residential design.

For more than a decade, Walter and his team have been working with clients to make their dream homes a reality.

“We have built ourselves solely on referrals because of our quality of work, our integrity and our passion to design a home clients are proud of. Nothing leaves this office that isn’t something I would design and build for my family,” says Walter.

Walter adds that there’s a lot of emotion involved in designing a home for someone. No project is the same and that’s always exciting. Boss Design offers everything from design, drafting and 3D renderings to construction management, value engineering and marketing materials.

What sets Boss Design apart?
Walter and most of his senior staff have all designed their homes and continue to enjoy living in them today.

“A home designer should have knowledge of the market, attention to detail and proven expertise in their field. Every foot of development in a design directly affects the overall cost to build a home. One mistake can cost thousands of dollars, but taking the time to plan can also save thousands of dollars,” says Walter.

Walter and his team have a proven track record of success in home design, and recently took home the CHBA Edmonton award in the Provides Service to a Builder category. Boss has also shared awards with local builders who have won local, provincial and national awards for the projects Boss has designed.

3D technology for home design
The ability to see every aspect of a home before its built is a fundamental step. Boss Design was one of the early adopters of this industry game changer. The technology gives designers the ability to 3D render any house, on any angle, at any time of the day. Designers can create renderings of the inside and outside of a home with the exact finishes, before the home has even started to be built. This creates a clear vision for clients.

With technology comes great responsibility Many people can draw a house plan on paper, but this technology can showcase the smallest details in a home. And its these details that can be the most important. What some clients may like on paper, they don’t like once they see a rendering. With this 3D technology, changes can be made to a plan quickly, and new concepts and ideas can be fully explored.

3D technology for home design
The ability to see every aspect of a home before its built is a fundamental step. Boss Design was one of the early adopters of this industry game changer. The technology gives designers the ability to 3D render any house, on any angle, at any time of the day. Designers can create renderings of the inside and outside of a home with the exact finishes, before the home has even started to be built. This creates a clear vision for clients.

With technology comes great responsibility Many people can draw a house plan on paper, but this technology can showcase the smallest details in a home. And its these details that can be the most important. What some clients may like on paper, they don’t like once they see a rendering. With this 3D technology, changes can be made to a plan quickly, and new concepts and ideas can be fully explored.

Designing for success
Whether you have decided to design and build your first home, or the retirement home you’ve always wanted, Boss Design can guide you from start to finish.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure our clients have the information they need to complete the design and construction of their dream home,” adds Walter. “We believe in creating lasting relationships with our clients and pride ourselves on designing a home you can be proud of.”

21Mar
2017
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Big Boss Win!

Boss Design attended the CHBA Edmonton Region Awards of Excellence, with a nomination in the Provides Service Directly to a Builder/Renovator category.

Boss Design has been very fortunate to collaborate and provide designs for several projects and clients that have gone on to win Regional, Provincial, and National CHBA Awards. At this years CHBA Edmonton Region Awards of Excellence, held at the Shaw Conference Center, we had the opportunity to enter our own category. We were so lucky to not only be named a finalist, but to go on and win the award for Provides Service Directly to a Builder/Renovator!

After 11 years of hard work, we are so appreciative to be recognized by our peers in the industry, and want to thank all of our amazing builder and private clients for helping us reach this point as a company. We also want to thank our wonderful team for the hard work and detail they put into each plan that comes through our door.

We also wanted to extend a huge congratulations to two of our long standing clients, who also took home a win at the CHBA. Alair Homes Edmonton & Bengel Custom Homes won for Best Renovation $200,000 to $500,00 and Best Single Family $600,000 to $800,000.

06May
2016
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CHBA WIN!!!

Whole house $200,000 – $500,000 ALAIR HOMES design by BOSS DESIGN.

Thank you Canadian Home Builder’s Association for this recognition and honour!

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