Frequently Asked Questions
Here are our most asked questions for you convenience.
Who should I call if I have questions about the construction or service at my house?
Your primary contact is Duvanco Homes’ head office at 613-966-4499.
Can I visit the house during construction?
Unfortunately, no. For safety and insurance reasons this is not allowed. You will have an opportunity to visit the home with our site super prior to installation of the drywall, and again with our inspector prior to closing.
There does not seem to be any progress on the construction of our house lately. Why?
Construction progress is affected by factors such as permit availability, trade schedules, material delivery, and weather. There may be times when progress appears to be at a standstill, and other times when a lot of progress is made very quickly.
When can I pave my driveway?
The backfill around the house needs time to settle. It is best to wait for close to a year before paving in order to avoid future settlement problems. Normally, driveway paving begins in the month of June each year and finishes by October.
When will the outside be painted?
Normally, exterior painting begins in late May. It may take some time for the exterior paint to be complete on all homes that were built during the winter.
Where do I get my house keys?
Typically keys will be available from the builder on closing day after 1:00 p.m.
Where is my garage door opener?
Garage door openers are usually left in the house on the island of your home. The warranty and operations will be left on-site as well.
Can I schedule movers, phone connection, appliances etc. for closing day?
We recommend that you do not. The closing process and key transfer normally happen on the afternoon of closing day. It may save you time and money to schedule these things a day or more later.
Where do I pick up my mail?
Canada Post will provide this information on its website or by calling 1—613—968—8506, ext. 2100.
I just moved in and the repairs from my Pre-Delivery List are not complete. When will they be rectified?
Depending on the time between your Pre-Delivery date and your closing date, repairs may be in progress. A representative from the Duvanco Homes office will contact you to set up appointments for the outstanding items. If parts need to be ordered, they may take several weeks to arrive. Follow-up repairs will be added to your 30-Day Form.
I just moved in and noticed some items need to be fixed right away. They are not on my Pre-Delivery List. Who do I call?
Unless they are of an emergency nature, we would prefer to wait until you submit your 30-day list.
If I want to hire a Private Home Inspector, whom should I get?
Selecting a home inspector is an important decision. We suggest you select someone registered with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors who is trained and carries proper insurance. The OAHI sets qualification requirements, regulates its members and grants the “Registered Home Inspector” designation to qualified inspectors. Registered members of the OAHI have achieved the highest standard of training, education, and expertise in the home inspection industry. A list of qualified home inspectors is on their website at www.oahi.com.
Where can I get a set of plans or blueprints for my house?
Duvanco Homes does not provide working drawings or house plans. If you require this type of information, plans are available for your viewing at the sales office.
Why are there no survey pegs on my lot?
Survey markings may no longer be visible after the lot is graded and landscaped. Please do not use wooden stakes as evidence of lot lines. A survey certificate, included in your Sales Agreement, may be helpful. Alternatively, a surveyor can accurately mark out your lot lines.
Can I personalize my new home?
Absolutely. In addition to choosing a floor plan and exterior finishes, there are a number of upgrade options available. You will personalize your home’s interior by choosing your flooring, cabinets, countertops, interior doors, plumbing fixtures, and more. Our in-house designer will provide her expertise to assist you during the selection process.
Will I get help during the building process?
The answer is yes. We will explain the entire building process clearly – who is responsible for what, timeframes, construction milestones, the Pre Delivery Inspection, what’s needed on closing.
Can I provide my own building materials?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many homeowners wish to shop for “Sale” items such as plumbing, fireplaces, flooring etc. Builder-quality items are higher quality than items purchased at box stores. Warranties are directly affected; for example, if a kitchen faucet supplied by the homeowner leaks, causing cabinet and flooring damage because of a faulty fixture, neither the Builder nor Tarion will provide any warranty.
Can I view my home during construction?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many homeowners wish to shop for “Sale” items such as plumbing, fireplaces, flooring etc. Builder-quality items are higher quality than items purchased at box stores. Warranties are directly affected; for example, if a kitchen faucet supplied by the homeowner leaks, causing cabinet and flooring damage because of a faulty fixture, neither the Builder nor Tarion will provide any warranty.
Is my new home warrantied?
Your new home is protected by the Tarion Warranty and Duvanco Homes Inc. Refer to your homeowner’s manual and the Tarion Homeowners Information Package to learn more about your homeowner warranties.
What kind of after sales service do you offer?
The customer experience does not stop when you move into your new home, we still want to hear from you to make sure everything is going smoothly. Steve Claxton is our on staff person dedicated to customer service and has a high level of commitment to quality of work and customer satisfaction. You will get a real person when you call our office, a person you already know – not a 1-800 number!