IRONCO Master Builders provides home building solutions catered to your specific needs. We have constructed spec homes, renovated older homes and recently initiated a custom homes division. IRONCO builds homes in numerous sub-divisions across Canada and abroad. Our success is due to a client-focused, integrated team of outstanding craftsmen, trades, suppliers and management staff that assist customers throughout the design and building process. For the past 6 years in a row, our integrated team has been offering New Home Warranty and other incentives. From conception of design to completion of construction, we take great pride in serving our customers and building truly quality homes.

Most of our clients are referrals from past families that we have served. IRONCO Master Builders will be pleased to provide references from our current and past customers.

For detailed community information refer to our Land Development page or contact our corporate office.

The Typical Construction Process

Most home buyers have a lot of questions about the construction of their home: How long will it take to build? What happens when? What does each step involve? When can we visit the site and see our home in progress? When do we have to make final decisions about cabinets, fixtures, flooring and so on? When do building inspections take place? Will we have a chance to inspect it ourselves before we take possession?

Below is an outline of the typical construction process today. Bear in mind that this is a generalized description-your own new home builder may use a different approach. The process and schedule will also be affected by the size and style of the house; the lot; the construction techniques used; the amount of customization required; the number of municipal inspections; whether the home is located in a large development; availability of labour, and many other factors. Ask your builder to explain the process for your home.

Phase One: Pre-construction
Before any construction begins, plans for your home are developed, finalized and submitted to the municipal building permit office for review. Permits may be required for all or some of the following work: building, electrical, plumbing, septic system and sewer connection.

Prior to this, a number of site tests may be conducted to examine the water table, the soil and the bearing capacity of the ground and to conduct environmental tests. With this information, final engineering adjustments can be made to the plans.

Phase Two: Foundation
Your house is staked out and the land is prepared. Often, the topsoil is removed and piled elsewhere for later use. Excavation is done, and the footings (concrete slabs to support the foundation walls) are formed and poured. Water, electricity, telephone and cable services may be brought in at this time.

The foundation walls are erected (may use poured concrete in temporary wooden forms or permanent insulated blocks, concrete blocks or preserved wood, for instance). The foundation may be insulated and damp-proofed. Weeping tiles are installed to drain ground moisture away from the house. A municipal inspection of the foundation may be conducted before the outside perimeter is backfilled.

At this time, the builder may ask you to begin making your selections-deciding on flooring, tiles, cabinets and so on. While it will be weeks before these items are installed, they must be ordered early to prevent delays later.

Phase Three: Framing
Exterior walls, interior partitions and the roof are assembled. This usually means erecting a framing skeleton and applying an exterior sheeting, or another framing technique may be used. Frames are built on the floor, one wall at a time and then lifted in place. Roof trusses are most often brought to the site ready for installation, and roofing is completed as quickly as possible, to prevent accidental damage as work progresses on the lower parts of the home. Windows and doors are installed. The builder's aim is to get to "lock-up" as quickly as possible to protect the structure from the elements.

The basement floor is installed. Electrical and plumbing services are roughed in, and ducting for heating, cooling and ventilation is put in place.

At this time, your municipality will probably require a structural inspection to ensure that the home is being built according to building code requirements. Electrical and plumbing inspections will likely be conducted as well.

Phase Four: Interior and exterior work
For the next several weeks, a great deal of work will happen inside and out, much of it at the same time, or overlapping. Proper scheduling is key to smooth progress.

The exterior walls and the roof are insulated, and a vapour barrier is applied. Another inspection may take place to ensure this work has been done properly, before the drywall is installed. Heating and cooling systems are installed, including fireplaces.

Walls and ceilings are painted, flooring is laid, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets are installed. Plumbing and electrical fixtures are put in, trim is applied, and interior doors are hung.

Siding is applied on the outside, along with eavestroughing, and porches and decks are installed. Final lot grading is done, and the driveway and walkways are put in.

Several additional municipal inspections may occur. For instance, after completion of the interior to check stairs, handrails and other health and safety related items, and/or after final grading outside. Plumbing and electrical work will probably require final inspection.

During this period, your builder will stay in regular contact with you, to update you on progress and to meet deadlines for selecting finishes and other decisions you may need to make.

Phase Five: From near-completion to hand-over
At this point, your builder and crew are busy completing the final touches and cleaning up. You will be asked to do a walk-through of your home with the builder. Any last-minute touch-ups will be done. On the date of possession, you will be handed the keys-the home is now yours!

BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS:

Foundation
-20"x 8" concrete footings
-8"& 9" foundation walls using 3000psi poured concrete with steel rebar- 8 ft. high
-tar damp proofing on exterior of foundation wall & drainage barrier
-4" drainage tile at perimeter of foundation
-3" poured concrete basement floor with smooth trowel finish
-4" garage floor with fibre-mesh reinforced concrete (broom finish) w/ cut lines
Structure
-9 ft. ceilings first floor
-floors 9.5"or 11.5" engineered floor joists according to plans
1st floor
-5/8 " t&g spruce plywood floor sheathing, glued, nailed & screwed
2nd floor
-5/8" t&g spruce plywood floor sheathing, glued, nailed & screwed
-exterior wall: 2" x 6" 16" o/c kd studs with ½" osb sheathing
-interior wall: 2" x 4" 16" o/c kd studs
-basement exterior walls: 2" x 4" 24" o/c studs floor to ceiling,
-pre-engineered roof trusses with ½" spruce plywood sheathing
-windows size according to plans - pvc with wood jam - all casement
pressure treated sill plate
Exterior finishes
-citadel stone on front elevation (as per plans)
-stucco on front elevation (as per plans)
-brick veneer (3 feet high) exterior on back and side elevations
-maintenance free aluminum soffit, facia & vinyl siding (as per plans)
-exterior colours approved by builder
-self sealing asphalt roof shingles ( 30 year) shangles
-sectional garage door-steel insulated
-deadbolts on all exterior doors
-porch: poured concrete
-stone lamppost in front yard
Insulation
-exterior walls r-20, - attic r-40 blown
-basement walls r-12
-insulated steel doors
Interior finishes
-½" drywall on walls and ceilings - rounded corners
-50oz quality carpet with ½" high density foam 7lb underpadding (as per plans)
-ceramic tile - front entrance, kitchen, back hall, and all bathrooms. $ 4.00 sq. ft. allowance
-2 ¼" x ¾" maple hardwood floor in family room & den/office - site finished.
-eggshell paint, one color on walls - one primer - 2 finish coats
-white semi-gloss on all doors & trim
-flat ceilings first floor & bathrooms - stippled ceilings 2nd floor
-colonial doors and trim throughout
-colonial bifold closet doors (as per plans) with ½ wood jamb and casing
-trim: 4-1/8" x 5/8" baseboard and 2 3/4" x 5/8" casing,
-chair rail and wainscoting in dinning room
-quality brushed chrome - hardware on all doors
-mirrors, towel bars and toilet paper holders in all bathrooms
-quality custom kitchen & vanity cupboards
-maple hand railing and spindles as per plans
-maple staircase - upper set
Electrical / mechanical
-high efficiency forced air gas furnace w/hrv and air condition
-one 60-gallon hot water tank
-direct vent gas fireplace, with custom painted mantle / with fan and remote
-smoke detector on each level
-range fan - exhaust outside (180 cfm)
-200 amp service with min. 48 circuit breaker panel in basement
-copper electrical wiring throughout
-pre-wired and plumbed for future dishwasher (24" space in cabinetry)
-two exterior weather proof outlets
-four plugs in unfinished basement
-central vac system (rough-in only)
-light fixtures, supplied by owner installed by builder
-gfi circuit in all bathrooms
-decora light switches and plugs
-bathrooms equipped with exhaust fans
Plumbing fixtures
-insulated toilet tanks
-acrylic tubs & showers in bathrooms
-two frost free exterior hose bibs
-delta taps throughout - china sinks - upgraded kitchen tap & powder room tap
-water pressure equalizer in all showers
-soaker tub in ensuite, as per plans
-bathroom, (rough-in only), in basement
Landscaping (optional)
-paved driveway (width of garage)
-interlock walkway (from builders samples)
-sodded front and rear yard
-1 tree in front yard (3"trunk)
Warranty
-builders one year warranty
-additional 2 & 7 year from a new home warranty program