FAQs

The most challenging part of building is getting started. With decades of building experience, we’ve answered lots of questions. Here are the questions we’re asked often to help begin the process.

Where do you build?

Calgary and sometimes surrounding communities. We have a wealth of local knowledge and experience, including expertise in Calgary's permit system, building codes, and bylaws. We have long-standing, established relationships with top local tradespeople and suppliers. And, we live here too! Calgary has been good to us and our families. We’re grateful to our neighbours, and we’re always close by for customers, should an issue arise on-site or a meeting be required.

How many homes do you build?

Our team is small and specialised - we build 2 or 3 homes per year, depending on their complexity. This means that our construction start dates fill up and are often booked 6 to 12 months in advance. However, we can begin the design process at any time, which typically takes 6 months anyway. The earlier we start the design process, the quicker we can schedule a construction start date.

Do you provide design services or work on homes already designed?

We are primarily a design-build company, so we work with clients from the beginning of their journey. We provide a comprehensive preliminary package that includes everything needed to prepare the project for permit approval, including design, engineering, complete specifications, and a fixed-price contract.

The advantages of the design-build process:

We understand your budget and specifications (aka ‘specs’) from the start. Cost overruns and delays are mitigated. Our design-build team collaborates on budget and technical details during the design phase, ensuring that important decisions are made early in the process, rather than later when issues arise that are more difficult and costly to change.

At the end of the design process, who owns the plans?

You do! The design phase of your project is invoiced separately and will cost $2000 - $3000 for a new home, depending on the scope of your project. When your plans are complete, they are yours to keep, or tender out for construction bids, or carry on with Metrik’s team to the construction phase.

Can Metrik create a quote from already-complete building plans?

While it’s preferable to create plans with a builder on the design team from the start, Metrik can provide a quote based on independent draftsperson or architect plans.

Why fixed price?

All of the specifications for your new home are selected and finalised in the design phase, before the home is quoted and any contract is signed. This ensures you know exactly what your home will cost before making any contractual commitment.

Can I make changes once construction has started?

Yes, and people do. Change orders, which alter the original scope of work and contract, are a fact of life. Change orders add cost and time, so when a change is requested, construction is paused to estimate and approve the additional cost and time, then the contract and timeline are updated. Another benefit of having a very detailed design phase is that changes (and delays and cost overruns) are minimized.

Do you have a team of trades or do you perform all work in-house?

The construction phase is a collaboration with your builder, a site supervisor, our carpenters, and our valued trades, who are as much part of our team as our direct employees.

Can I bring my trade(s) into the construction phase?

Maybe. Our team comprises our designer, architect, builder, direct employees, and trusted tradespeople. Many of our relationships have lasted 10–20 years. We work efficiently with established trades, communication is easy, and we know that the project’s quality will be excellent. We have occasionally worked with a customer’s trusted tradesperson, with good results. We let the client know that we can’t warranty their tradesperson’s work, but that has never presented a problem for us either.

Are you licensed and insured?

Metrik is licensed with the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta. We carry comprehensive commercial liability, are WCB-insured, ACSA-certified (Alberta Construction Safety Association), and our new homes are warrantied through Alberta’s best New Home Warranty Program.

Why choose Metrik?

Have you ever worked with a great team that makes your life easy?

Having a simple process means we can offer a stress-free experience and deliver a high-quality, on-time, and on-budget project. Your home is customized to you. Your online portal means regular progress updates. Weekly site meetings with your builder allow you to watch the magic as it happens, and your questions are addressed as they arise. Your contract is fixed-price, so there are no surprises.