Whether it’s the tall trees, the established community feel or simply the prime location, older communities have that character feel that can be extremely desirable for home buyers. Building a custom infill home in a community with roots offers a unique curb appeal that can only be accomplished by decades of growth and development. As the world shifts to more sustainable urban sprawl, infills are on the rise.
There doesn’t have to be a compromise on aesthetic appeal when designing your next home in one of these older communities. Partnering with an experienced custom infill builder is the best strategy for you to build your dream home exactly how you want it while ensuring it fits the lot and the guidelines put in place by the municipality. There are several pros and cons to consider as you explore what infill developments are all about. From the lot purchase to the construction itself, it’s important to understand the process.
Pros and Cons of Building an Infill Home
Pro #1: Eco-Friendly Options. Retrofitting a traditional home can be costly and cumbersome. Building a new home in your ideal location means you can curate your home to have the modern innovation of passive or net-zero technologies that makes your home healthier, more energy efficient, more durable and can save you money down the road.
Pro #2: Lot Price. Depending on location, infill lot prices are significantly lower than new build lot prices. Not only that, but infill lots in older communities are often significantly larger than new build lots. Add in mature trees and you have yourself a winning home location!
Pro #3: An Established Community. There is no guesswork about the area and neighbourhood when building a custom infill home. The infrastructure is already in place, there is no waiting for development and relying on construction timelines for essential services such as roads, shopping and schools.
Con #1: Space to Work. Some infill lots can present a space challenge that can inhibit the earth work required for your build. During the excavation process, the old dirt is taken off site and replaced with the new backfill material so the property must have adequate access to do so. There also must be ample room to store/secure building materials as they are delivered for the various trades that will be building the home: also known as a “laydown” area. In some neighbourhoods, space is at a premium and having to store these items offsite could come with a cost.
Con #2: Lot History. It is important to understand the history of the land, the area, and why the original home was torn down. Some questions to consider include: Are there issues with the soil? Is it on a flood plain?
Infills are typically in communities that are closer to work centers, adding an element of convenience for those that commute. Infill Homes also revitalize the existing community and drive-up property value. Choosing an infill development is the best solution to being in the location of your dreams without compromising on the modern touches of a custom designed home.
FLR Developments is your trusted professional infill home design build contractor. With a talented team of Owners, Management and Trades, you can trust that your new home will be planned and build exactly how you've been dreaming of. From lot selection all the way through to a reliable warranty, FLR Developments ensures a stress free project for you. Contact their administrative and sales team by calling 403-980-2205 or by filling out the website form below.
Infill Home FAQ's
Infill developments re-use existing infrastructure and the land development has already been completed. Because of this, they greatly help with decreasing urban sprawl by allowing the suburban area to be revitalized without having to continue expanding outward.
While the overall cost of labour/materials will not vary when it comes the structure itself, there may be additional expenses for an infill home due to issues with the soil or general condition of the area. Typically there are always 'site work' or excavation that happens at the beginning of any home build, so the costs are considered to be about the same.
Demolishing the existing structure is a relatively quick process (2-4 days) but it will come with a cost from your custom infill home builder -so it is important to consider this when purchasing your dream location. We always recommend a consultation with a full service builder before purchasing your lot to determine the costs.
An infill development involves developing vacant, or tearing down an existing structure, within an existing urban area. Many cities have significant vacant land within the city limits that are zoned for infill developments, or even multi-unit developments. Although this task can seem daunting, partnering with a qualified, full-service, custom home builder will make the process enjoyable as they will take care of everything from start to finish.
Some of the features of an infill development are:
- Building with an already existing community, or neighborhood
- Adding additional units onto the same lot by building stand alone, semi-attached, or multiple unit structures through subdivision or by adjusting the lot lines
- Highly sustainable land development near to an urban centre
We have created more than a few infill developments and they are an incredibly rewarding and fun project for their owners, and for our team. Check out one of our custom luxury infill homes located in Calgary, Alberta.
Some of the questions to ask yourself before deciding whether, or not, to build a custom infill home are:
- Do I prefer to live inner city, or do we want to live on a larger parcel or land?
- Does creating sustainable living solutions matter in my home building decision?
- What is my timeframe for development?
These are just a few of things to consider when deciding whether, or not, to build an infill. At FLR Developments a big part of our initial consultation is assessing your values, goals, budgets, timelines and motives for building to help you decide exactly what the best fit for you is.
WE CUSTOM DESIGN YOUR DREAM
Whether you want a custom luxury home, a stunning lake view spot, or the perfect commercial spot for your new venture, our team makes the process as straightforward, cost-effective, and simple as possible. From planning and design to permits and a third party warranty, we will expertly manage every stage of the process. We take the challenge out of new builds, so you can focus on what’s truly important: achieving your dream.
Want to know more about one of our developments and how we can get your project completed on time and on a budget? Contact us at (403) 980-2205 or fill in our online form.