Building FAQs
Your Custom Home Building Questions Answered
Building a luxury custom home in Kelowna involves many decisions and considerations. We’ve organized the most common questions into categories to help you find the information you need quickly and easily.
General FAQ’s
Are your homes truly custom or are they modified plans?
Every home is designed from scratch around your lifestyle, lot and vision. We don’t use template plans or modify existing designs. Your home is uniquely yours.
What makes Knowlton different from other builders?
Our integrated design-build approach means one team and one point of accountability. No finger-pointing between architects and builders. Plus our Concepts to Keys™ system eliminates the chaos most people experience.
Can you help us evaluate a lot before we buy?
Absolutely. Our Lot Readiness Check™ service evaluates zoning, environmental restrictions, services and building potential before you commit. This saves time and prevents costly surprises down the road.
How do I know if custom building is right for me?
Custom building makes sense if you have specific lifestyle needs, a unique lot, or a clear vision that existing homes can’t fulfill. It requires time investment and decision-making, but delivers a home perfectly tailored to how you live.
Getting Started
When should I start planning my custom home project?
Start planning 12-18 months before you want to move in. This allows time for lot acquisition, design development, permitting (3-6 months) and construction (12+ months). Early planning gives you time to refine your vision without rushing decisions.
Do I need to own land before contacting you?
Not necessarily. We can evaluate potential lots through our Lot Readiness Check™ before you purchase, which can save costly mistakes. Many clients benefit from our guidance during lot selection to ensure their vision is achievable.
How should I prepare before our first meeting?
Complete the Homeowner Prep Pack (HOPP) to clarify your vision and priorities. Gather inspiration images, think about your lifestyle needs and set a preliminary budget range. The more prepared you are, the more productive our initial consultation will be.
Process & Timeline
How long does the complete Concepts to Keys™ process take?
Typically 12-18 months total: Vision to Value (6 weeks), Plan to Permit (14 weeks), Build Ready (6 weeks), and Build to Keys (52 weeks). Timelines can vary based on project complexity and municipal approval processes.
When should I start planning my custom home project?
Start planning 12-18 months before you want to move in. This allows time for lot acquisition, design development, permitting and construction. Early planning also gives you time to refine your vision and budget without rushing decisions.
What happens if there are delays during construction?
We proactively manage timelines and communicate any potential delays immediately. Our integrated approach minimizes delays since we control both design and construction phases, unlike traditional separate architect-builder arrangements.
How long does the design-build process take?
Our design-build process takes 12-18 months from the initial vision session to keys in hand. This includes six months for design and permitting, plus 12 months for construction of your luxury custom home.
Cost & Investment
What do luxury custom homes typically cost in Kelowna?
Investment ranges from $800K to $2M+ depending on size, finishes and site complexity. We provide detailed budget clarity during our Vision to Value™ phase, so you know costs before making commitments.
How do you prevent budget overruns?
We build your budget alongside your design, with regular checkpoints and transparent change order processes. Our clients know costs before decisions are made, eliminating surprise expenses that plague traditional builds.
How accurate is your cost calculator?
Our calculator provides realistic budget ranges based on your inputs, but every project is unique. Use it as a starting point for conversations with our team, who can provide more precise estimates based on your specific vision and site conditions.
Still Have Questions?
Ready to get specific answers about your custom home project in the Okanagan?
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