Steeples Construction is based in Cranbrook, B.C., and is willing to build in the following East Kootenay communities: Cranbrook, Kimberley, Creston, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Wasa, Invermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Radium Hot Springs and Golden. For the past several years, Cranbrook continues to show up as one of the best cities (with populations over 10,000) to live within British Columbia (from BC Business).

Our friendly staff at Steeples Construction is waiting to help turn your dream into a reality. Contact us to request a no-obligation FREE quote—it’s a great place to start turning your dream into your new home! Call us today at 250-489-1617 or you can fill out our short form to request your free estimate.

• Personalized, one-on-one service. We take pride in our availability to our clients, and you are welcome to visit the job site at any time.
• Quality workmanship. With 30 years of experience, we value the fine craft of building custom homes and businesses.
• Competitive rates and transparent budgets. A custom home doesn’t have to cost more. Steeples Construction can build your desired home within your desired budget.
• On-time completion. We don’t take on too many projects at one time so that your construction project will be a top priority.
• Custom work to meet your goals. We can build your dream home that fits your lifestyle and aspirations.
• No need to hire a general contractor. We act as your general contractor, thus saving you money while guaranteeing quality work.

FAQs

Where do I start to get my new home?

People are in different stages of planning for a new home. Some have building plans. Some have the land. If you are looking to purchase land, be sure to have a builder review it first. We can advise you about costs to make it buildable and ensure you’re making a sound investment. No matter what stage you are in, Steeples Construction can bring your new home to fruition. Start by contacting us for a no-obligation free estimate for your custom home.

How long does it take to build a custom home in the Cranbrook area?

Steeples Construction will give you a timeline based on well-prepared building plans. In general, we can build a custom home in six to eight months. Of course, that depends on the size, complexity, location and needed permits. To top it off, our staff will work on your behalf to get those permits and approvals, taking one more task off your shoulders.

What is the process for building a new home with Steeples Construction?

As you progress through the building process, you will be faced with many decisions. At Steeples Construction, here’s a summary of our process:

• Consultation stage. It all begins with a conversation. The team at Steeples Construction is available to meet and chat at any time to assist you in the design and construction of your custom home. We need to find out what you want to build and where. And we need to determine if we’re the right builder for you.
• Design stage. To bring your custom home to life, we need architectural plans and interior design plans. We can discuss your plans, if you have them, or we can arrange design services for you. At the end of this stage, you will have a detailed budget of what your custom home will cost you. And we will have all the required permits to move onto the next stage.
• Construction contract. We both sign the agreed up construction contract and explain how construction will progress, including timelines.
• Build stage. It’s time to build your dream home! We’ll take care of the workmanship, and you’re welcome to visit on site to see the progress.
• Possession stage. This is the stage you’ve been waiting for! We turn the house over to you after a final walkthrough. It’s time to live in the custom home of your dreams.

Does a custom home cost more to build? What does it cost per square foot?

Building a custom home does not have to cost more than a production home. Steeples Construction can build you a beautiful home of your dreams that doesn’t have to exceed your budget. Steps we take include working together to create a thorough design and meeting you at local building supply stores to wade through all the choices of building materials. We also use a few subcontractors who can handle certain parts of the construction more efficiently than we can. It all adds up to saving you money while still achieving a custom home.

The question of cost per square foot is frequently asked by people searching for a home builder. It’s a complicated answer based on your specific building plans. The bottom line is that we offer competitive rates in the East Kootenay and guarantee quality workshipman to exceed your expectations.

Let’s have a chat about your project, and you can ask all those nagging questions until you feel confident in our construction process to build exactly what you want within your budget. We will provide a free no-obligation quote based on your plans.

Should I hire a general contractor or a home builder for my new residential home in the East Kootenay?

With Steeples Construction building your new home, you don’t need to hire a general contractor, which saves you money. Let us be your experts and organizer. We offer complete project management to get the job done on time and on budget. We act as your general contractor, managing subcontractors and suppliers. We have excellent relationships with our subcontractors and ensure they meet our highest standards of workmanship.

What are the most common complaints about home builders?

The three most common complaints about home builders are: (1) too many projects on the go; (2) not being clear about budgets and timelines; and (3) cutting corners.

1. Too many projects at once

Some construction companies are so big that their teams may be spread too thin. And when they are juggling so many jobs, your project may not get done on time. With Steeples Construction, you will know the personnel and subcontractors who will be on the job site, and you will know that your new build will remain their top priority.

2. Not being clear about budgets and timelines

Dubious contractors may try to finagle details about budgets and timelines. This dishonest behaviour is often used to win the project and get a contract signed. Clear communication is key. The best contractors are transparent about costs, payments and schedules. At Steeples, we will work closely with you to create and follow budgets and timelines faithfully.

3. Corner cutting

Some builders may start a job with quality workmanship but then cut corners as the deadline approaches. This often leaves new homeowners with problems or shoddy, incomplete work. Sometimes these imperfections aren’t noticed until later. Steeples Construction prides itself on our personalized service for our clients. To guarantee product quality, we can meet you at a local building supply store to discuss the myriad of options for materials. And you are welcome on site during construction anytime to guarantee our excellent workmanship.

I’m dreaming of a new home. What elements and features will I have to decide on?

Building a new home can seem overwhelming—there are so many details to think about. You will be faced with many decisions—some big and some small—regarding the elements, features and building materials that you want in your new home. People accumulate their ideas in different ways. Some tear out magazine photos to put into a folder or binder. Others create Pinterest boards for their ideas. Some features you should consider include:

• Number and size of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Bathroom fixtures: tubs, showers, sinks, toilets, etc.
• Living room: open concept or closed room
• Kitchen: open concept or closed room
• Kitchen countertop and cabinetry
• Food storage space: shelving or dedicated pantry
• Dining room: open concept or closed room
• Media or games room
• Other rooms such as a home office
• Storage areas and closets
• Laundry area
• Entryway and mudroom
• Outdoor living space such as decks, patios and balconies
• Basement (finished or unfinished)
• Garage
• Storage for toys (bikes, skis, UTVs, home shop, yard and garden tools)
• Amount and types of windows
• Door heights, ceiling heights, vaulted ceilings

What are current trends in new homes today?

Two of the hottest trends in new home construction are green and smart!

Green or eco-friendly homes are in high demand, and most builders report that many clients are asking for them. An eco-friendly house is an environmentally low-impact home. This trend took off when construction companies started building homes that were energy-efficient and thus used less energy than traditional homes. Features include higher levels of thermal insulation, higher-efficiency windows and overall better air-tightness. The trend has gone beyond energy efficiency to include the use of sustainable building materials and technologies that reduce a home’s carbon footprint.

Smart home technology is also on trend, becoming much more common and affordable. Also called home automation, this technology uses devices in the home that connect via a network, most commonly the internet or a home network.

In simpler terms, a smart home is one in which appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. For example, you can turn off lights or electronic items from bed. Or if you’re coming home from work earlier than normal, you can use your smartphone to turn up the heat. Smart home products and services can be considered “green” if they improve a home’s energy management. A prime example is a highly programmable thermostat, which adjusts heating and cooling processes based on time of day, times when no one is home, holidays and more. This type of thermostat reduces heating and cooling bills and energy production demands.

Both smart home and sustainable technologies add to the market value of your home. If you’re building your dream home, let Steeples Construction build you a home using green and smart technologies—the future is here!

One great aspect of the internet is that we can learn from others’ mistakes. Here are 10 ideas from experienced—and possibly disappointed—new homeowners to help you plan your new home in the best way possible. Many of these items can be added easily and for little cost when building a new home but would cost much more if added later.

1. Taller ceiling heights make rooms feel bigger. For example, 10-foot ceilings upstairs and 9-foot ceilings in the basement can make the whole house seem bigger and more open.
2. Universal design works for all ages, not just seniors. Wider hallways and doorways, elongated and elevated toilets, higher vanity heights and better lighting make a home easier to live in.
3. HVAC features have a huge impact on the comfort of your home, and they are much easier to add in the new build stage. Think about adding radiant floor heating, ceiling fans, and thermostats for different zones, rooms or floors into your house plans.
4. Storage is prime real estate in a home. Planning for storage isn’t the most exciting part of the process, but it has a huge influence on your lifestyle and organization later on. Think about a mudroom, a pantry, full-size broom closets on each floor and appliance storage in your kitchen. And where do all those recyclable items go? Enough storage allows the rest of your home to be uncluttered.
5. Add lots and lots of charging stations and outlets—in kitchens and bedrooms and closets.
6. Kitchens are often the heart of the home for families and visitors. Plan to keep them open with islands for workstations, supervising homework, and guests’ snacks and drinks.
7. Adding a flexible room is one way to maximize use of space or to plan for the future. For example, a home office can morph into a guest room when needed.
8. Increase your living spaces by blending outdoor and indoor spaces, such as outdoor fire pits or screened back porches.
9. Twice is nice in bathrooms. A double-bowl vanity allows for two young kids to share. In the master bedroom, his and her vanities are a pleasant luxury.
10. Don’t forget the dog! Include a bathing station for this important family member to make that task easier.

• New residential builds
• New commercial builds
• Renovations of residential homes, including kitchen and bath
• Renovations of commercial buildings
• General contractor services
• Design services—residential and commercial
• Additions and garages
• Outdoor construction projects such as decks, fences and concrete work