Maple Homes : FAQ's

Design

Q : Can I change the look of the design?
A : We offer a number of different interior and exterior options to allow you to customize the look of your home. See options.

Q : Can I change the interior walls?
A : Yes, unless they are load-bearing walls. We have tried to anticipate structural issues by offering alternative floor plans for many individual designs.

Q : Can I flip the design?
A : Yes, all designs can be flipped or oriented to suit your building lot.

Q : Can I change the kitchen layout?
A : Yes, many customers want to use the wall space for a different configuration of cabinets, countertops and appliances. This is why we leave the interior finishing to the discretion of our customers.

Q : Will you build a completely custom design?
A : Generally, no. This is because all of our home packages are designed to be as cost efficient and user friendly as possible. This means we need to sell multiple units to get economy of scale. The only exception might be if we like your design enough to add it to our collection! If you really need a true custom home we suggest you try our associated company, Linwood Homes.

Q : Can I change the materials used?
A : Usually there is at least one alternative to the standard package. Asphalt shingles or metal roof? Cedar siding or Hardiplank? Sliding doors or French doors…..that sort of thing. Give us a call.

Price

Q : How much does each design cost?
A : We have a price list and specification sheet for each complete home package. This takes into account all the components required to build the home to the lock-up stage. All you have to do is ask the current price list.

Q : How much does a home cost per square foot?
A : This is a somewhat difficult question to answer directly as it depends on a number of variables.

Size of the home: Generally speaking the larger it is the cheaper it is to build per sq.ft. The reason is that kitchen and bathroom are significant components of the cost but this remains the same even with a bigger design. Therefore you can often average your costs down with more square footage.

Second floor: If the home contains a second floor this will add additional space with the same sized roof. This lowers the per square foot cost.

Interior Finishing: Interior finishing costs can vary dramatically depending on the intended use of the home. A home used year round with more sophisticated interiors can cost a lot more than a seasonal use cabin.

Foundations: The shape and scale of the foundations and excavations will affect the cost. Adding a daylight basement will generally add square footage at the cheapest possible cost. On solid rock this is not an option.

Our package prices range from $ 30 per sq.ft. to $ 50 per sq.ft. You will appreciate it is hard to give more accurate figures without more detailed information.

Q : What does the price include?
A : The price includes the complete package contents outlined in Package Details. Essentially it contains everything you need to build the home to the 'lock-up stage'. Plus we have additional ‘options' available to go a little further. We have the most complete package available and we strongly recommend you check the contents and quality of our packages against our competitors.

Materials

Q : What kind of siding material do you use?
A : Maple Homes is specially selected from the Hardi line of products. Hardiplank is a fiber cement composition siding which comes with a 50 year warranty and a long-established proven track record in the field. We prime coat it so it is ready to paint. Hardiplank is extremely durable, remains non-combustible, holds paint longer, is resistant to damage caused by hail or termite attacks and will not crack or delaminate. Our cedar siding package is also extremely popular and consists of 1”x8” western red cedar board siding carefully selected from the best quality manufacturers.

Q : You mill your own lumber with logs from your own timber license. Do you have a reforestation program?
A : Yes, all our timber is cut under the terms of a sustainable forest practices code. We fully support this program.

Q :What type of windows do you include?
A : We specify a premium low maintenance vinyl window with superior energy efficiency characteristics. A low E double glazed system is selected for most of our specifications.

Q : What type of beam material is used?
A : We specialize in post and beam construction and use a high grade laminated ridge beam. This provides maximum strength and the best interior looks.

Q : How do I compare your material package to others?
A : This is not easy as our materials are of a much better quality and have higher performance characteristics than any competitors of which we are aware. See Performax Materials. This quality is not limited to our own production but also to our other key suppliers. We do not want on-site problems and supply only products we can fully support.

Delivery

Q : Can I get the package delivered direct to my site?
A : Generally yes, provided you have a proper access road to your site. When remote delivery is involved it may be necessary to trans-ship the package onto smaller vehicles or boats etc.

Q : How many trucks does it take to ship the package?
A : Usually one or two trucks are sufficient to ship all the materials. As shipping costs can be significant we try to get the package onto one truck. A standard load is shipped on a 48' flat deck trailer. With tractor the total length is about 65'.

Q : Can you ship anywhere?
A : Yes, we have shipped worldwide from Japan and Korea to the UK. North American deliveries are shipped by truck with offshore deliveries by container.

Construction

Q : Do I need a building permit?
A : In most jurisdictions you will need a permit. We recommend that you obtain one in any event to make sure you can finance your project as well as maximize its future resale value.

Q : Do your homes conform to building code requirements?
A : Yes, all homes are pre-engineered to make sure the structure conforms to the National and Uniform Building Code requirements. Our standard structure can withstand a snow load of 40lbs/sq.ft. In some areas with heavy snow loads a reinforced structure may be required. We offer this option as an upgradeable option – right up to Arctic Zone..

Q : Do you recommend panelized construction?
A : We are strong supporters of panelized construction using open structural panels. They go up fast. For the amateur or the professional they work equally well. The main exception would be when the site is hard to access and building panels would be difficult to transport.

Q : How important is insulation?
A : An energy efficient insulated structure will keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. We recommend the insulation be installed at the time of original construction, as retro fitting is not practical and never as efficient.

Q : What kind of foundation do you recommend?
A : Any kind of solid foundation will work. Simple concrete pier blocks will be enough to support smaller cabins but a concrete foundation wall and slab is ideal. You may want to consider incorporating a walkout basement on sloping ground to increase living and storage space.

Q : Are your products eco-friendly?
A : Yes. All our lumber is produced from forests with an established sustainable cut and full reforestation policy. All our homes have been ‘Optimized' for minimal waste. All windows are low E double glazed products. It is our policy to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Q : Who can build your homes?
A : Our homes are designed to be good-looking and practical but simple to put up. Most reasonably handy people can build a Recreational Cabin,. For the experienced contractor, it will be extremely simple – thus cheaper for the owner. Many components are numbered to help you and, if panels are selected as an option, they are designed to fit together quickly and easily. We also have a detailed construction manual showing all the steps involved.