Our experts share their knowledge.
Why an Integrated Design Process is Important Looking back on the past 12 months, we’ve seen people with very different projects learn the same important lesson: consult with an experienced builder during (not after) designing your new home, renovation or addition. When you bring your designers together (architects, engineers, interior designers) along with your builder,…
While RS Homes primarily builds custom homes, from time to time we will build “on spec” – that is, for resale on the open market rather than designing to the needs of a specific client. In 2012, we purchased this 1960’s bungalow, on a 36 foot wide lot on Glengarry Avenue, in the Ledbury Park…
We have had the privilege of working with RS Homes on some wonderful projects.The most recent is a beautiful stately home inspired by French Chateau architecture. As is often the case with custom built homes, the client had a variety of items on their ‘wish list’. The unifying theme was the desire that the interior be infused with modern…
At RS Homes, we have a “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability – one that accounts for the environment, the economy, and people’s social well-being. For this reason, we were excited to find ourselves positioned next to Habitat for Humanity at the Interior Design Show earlier this year. An important conversation followed, on how RS…
It’s no secret that vacant land in Toronto is a scarce commodity. According to a report by economist Will Dunning, this has resulted in a supply shortage of 50,000 homes in the Metropolitan Toronto Area. This lack of supply has had a dramatic impact on prices, as evidenced by property values, with the average detached…
The internet has touched nearly every area of our lives – from our personal communications to shopping to the way we do business. It has even enhanced the way we design and build our custom homes. At RS Homes we use a cloud-based software to coordinate between our vendors, subcontractors and of course, our clients. This…
Tarion Warranties – Protection and Peace of Mind It’s the ultimate nightmare for someone building or renovating a home: Money paid, the work incomplete or of poor quality, and the contractor nowhere to be found. Sadly this situation is all too real. Luckily there is a way to protect yourself. A Tarion Warranty. What is…
Building a custom home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. At the same time, it is an complex and lengthy undertaking that can challenge even the most seasoned professionals. Here are four things you must do to prepare yourself for the journey: 1. Find a Builder You Can Trust: The single most important criteria when selecting…
Whether you’re renovating an existing property, or building a custom home from scratch, it is important to understand the basics of residential development. When you know more about the process, the stakeholders and the cost, you are able to make more informed your decisions, which will ultimately lead to a better end product. If you…
Trust is possibly the single most important criteria when selecting a builder. The peace of mind that comes from trust is far more valuable than any feature or finish you can put in your new home. But how do you know whether a builder is trustworthy? The answer is different for everyone. For some people…
RS Homes recently completed this 5000 square foot detached home on Edgevalley Drive in Etobicoke. We’re very proud of the design and craftsmanship that made the project possible. The exterior showcases a regal Indiana Limestone cladding, complete with precast concrete details, cedar shake shingles, and copper eaves, downspouts and awnings. The interior is finished with…
RS Homes recently completed this exterior remodel of a detached home in North York. The client contacted us in the Spring, seeking to improve their curb appeal in time for resale on Toronto’s hot summer market. RS Homes’ turnkey services included the architectural design, material sourcing, supply and construction labour. The building was enhanced with…
This month, RS Homes has proudly registered with EnerQuality as a prospective builder of ENERGY STAR® Qualified Homes. This means that, going forward, we will be offering our clients opportunities to reduce their operating costs and their environmental impact – through tighter building envelopes, efficient mechanical system design and reduced electricity consumption. Interested in building…
As you might expect, one of the first steps in planning your custom-built home is finding a suitable location. It’s an old saying among custom home builders in Toronto and real estate people, that the house on the hill so to speak is one of the more expensive homes in town. Of course that old…
Integration is essential to a successful renovation or new home build. Into the Unknown The process of renovating an existing home, or building a new custom home, can be complex and fraught with uncertainty, even for experienced homeowners. The challenges are often compounded if key stakeholders are dealt with individually, rather than as part of a unified team.…