Frequently Asked Questions About Building a Custom Home in Central Alberta

Getting Started

Is the first consultation really free?

Yes. All proposals and preliminary consults at Bellco Ltd. are free. Call 403-598-4638 or email Jason.Bell@bellco.ca.

What happens at the free consultation?

We sit down with you and go over your overall vision for the home, the property and the kind of build you have in mind. Bring anything you have: a lot location, sketches, house plans or photos you've saved from Pinterest or Instagram. From there we talk through next steps for design, permits and budgeting.

Where does Bellco build?

We build within about an hour of our Lacombe office, including Lacombe, Lacombe County, Red Deer, Red Deer County, Blackfalds, Ponoka, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail and Wetaskiwin. We have also built at lake communities like Gull Lake. If you're a little outside that area, give us a call and we'll let you know if it works.

How much does a custom home cost?

Every custom home is different, so we don't publish a one-size-fits-all number. The cost depends on the size and design of the home, your lot and site servicing, and the materials and finishes you choose. We'll talk through your budget at your free consultation, and value engineering is part of how we keep the project on track.

How long does it take to build a custom home in Central Alberta?

Most custom homes in Alberta take roughly 10 to 14 months from the first design meeting to move-in, as outlined in our timeline guide. The biggest factors are the size and complexity of the design, how quickly your county or town approves permits, the weather, and any changes made once construction starts. We'll give you a realistic schedule for your own project once we know the details.

Land & Lots

Do I need to own land before I contact a builder?

No. You can call us while you are still looking, and it often helps to talk before you buy. We help with lot selection and plot planning, so we can look at things like access, zoning and servicing before you commit to a property in Lacombe County, Red Deer County or one of the nearby towns.

Who handles building permits?

We take care of municipal permitting for you, and we can also help with re-zoning and subdividing when a property needs it. In rural counties like Red Deer County and Lacombe County, a development permit is generally needed before a building permit, and each municipality has its own process. We keep on top of the paperwork and inspection scheduling so you aren't chasing it.

How do water, septic, power and gas get to a rural lot?

Services on an acreage depend on the property: some have power and gas at the road, while others need a well and a private sewage system. Our site servicing and utility coordination covers working out what your lot needs and lining up the trades and utility companies. It's a good question to ask early, because it affects both planning and schedule.

The Build Process

What is Bellco's building process?

Our process is Design, Build, Repeat. In Design, we review your vision and handle lot planning, permits, estimating and material selections. In Build, we order materials, schedule and supervise our trades, and keep an eye on quality and budget. Repeat is the relationship after move-in, because we want to work with our clients on future projects.

Can I make changes or bring my own ideas?

Absolutely. If something catches your eye on Pinterest or Instagram, send it our way and we'll work to fit it in. We also offer interior design support and 3D design renderings, which help you visualize the home and make selections with confidence before building starts.

Who does the actual work on my custom home?

We use skilled local trades, and our team schedules and supervises them from start to finish. Using local trades for local clients is a big part of how we work. Quality control is part of our job on every build.

Does my new home come with a warranty?

Yes. Bellco offers new home warranty coverage through National Home Warranty, and Alberta's New Home Buyer Protection Act requires warranty coverage on new homes. Ask us for the details when you meet with us, and we'll explain what is covered for your build.

Commercial & Multi-Family

Does Bellco build commercial and multi-family projects?

Yes. Jason has more than 10 years of commercial and multi-family project management experience, and Bellco offers general contracting, design-build and project management for commercial and multi-family projects across Central Alberta. That can mean bidding on a completed design from your architect, working with you and your architect on design and construction together, or managing the whole project for you as the owner. Past work includes a Starbucks lease-bay building in Innisfail and a shop addition in Sylvan Lake for Fountain Tire.

Working With Bellco

Why choose Bellco for a custom home in Lacombe and Central Alberta?

Bellco is a local company: Jason Bell grew up in Lacombe, studied Construction Management at SAIT, and started Bellco in 2018. Clients value our open communication and transparent process, and we have a 5.0 rating from 18 Google reviews. We bring the process standards of commercial construction together with the attention to detail of residential building.