The short answer
Prioritize decisions that are difficult to change later. Ask for the exact specification and evidence behind an energy claim.
01 / Field notes
Start with the hard-to-change choices
Review layout, stairs, windows, ceiling heights, structural openings, basement rough-ins and electrical planning before cosmetic selections. Ask what can be changed later, what requires design or engineering now, and what affects other decisions. A basement development or future suite is not guaranteed merely because a rough-in or separate entrance exists; verify approvals and requirements for the particular property before relying on future use.
02 / Field notes
Compare packages line by line
Make a two-column schedule of the included specification and proposed upgrade. Identify products, quantities, installation scope and price, not just package names. Ask whether a display finish is standard, optional, discontinued or substituted. Consider durability, cleaning, replacement access and household use alongside appearance. Keep a decision reserve for changes you have not yet priced instead of exhausting the budget on the first appointment.
03 / Field notes
Ask for energy evidence for this home
Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide label provides a modelled annual energy rating and a comparison with a reference home. It is a useful research tool, not a promise of a particular utility bill. Ask which label or certification the purchased home will actually receive, who verifies it and when you receive the documents. Distinguish a builder’s general marketing program from the specification included in your agreement.
04 / Field notes
Consider systems as a package
Ask a qualified professional about how the envelope, windows, heating, ventilation, cooling and controls work together. Request operating and maintenance instructions, expected service requirements and any specific warranties. Solar-ready, Net Zero Ready and a completed solar installation are not interchangeable descriptions. Austin’s construction and electrical background can help frame practical questions; engineering, energy modelling and inspection remain specialist work.
05 / Field notes
A practical upgrade triage
Sort proposed choices into three groups: needed before construction, expensive to retrofit, and straightforward to change later. A layout change may belong in the first group, additional wiring or rough-ins in the second, and some decorative fittings in the third. Ask the builder and relevant specialist to validate those assumptions for your plan. Prioritize your own use rather than assuming every premium finish will return its cost when the home is sold.
06 / Field notes
Keep the evidence with the decision
For an energy or system upgrade, retain the specification, scope, installer responsibilities, commissioning information and warranty terms. Ask what happens if the specified equipment is unavailable. For a finish upgrade, keep the signed selection and approved substitute process. A clear record makes later comparisons and walkthroughs more useful and helps distinguish an actual agreement from a marketing description or a design-centre conversation.
Put this into practice
Your next-step checklist
Tick items as you work. Progress stays on this page only; print or save a PDF to keep a copy.
0 of 6 completed
Sources & scope
Practical questions and checklists are REP editorial guidance. The official resources below support the regulatory or technical context. This is general education, not legal, tax, mortgage, engineering or inspection advice. Confirm the rules and documents that apply to your purchase.
How we research