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At Ashcroft Homes, we focus on building a strong relationship with you through exemplary customer care. Communities are not just made of streets and houses; they are made of people. When you live in an Ashcroft home you are not just a customer, you’re a neighbour.

For some helpful hints please browse through questions and answers below.

For more information on an Ashcroft community in your area please contact one of our sales centres.

PURCHASING MY HOME

What is the amount of the deposit I have to make?

The deposit you must make depends on the type and value of the home you’re purchasing. Your sales agent will be able to explain the exact deposit needed for the home you’ve chosen.

How do I know the final amount due upon closing?

On your closing date, you must pay the remainder of the purchase price, a percentage of your property tax, and Tarion fees. Ashcroft will send your lawyer a final statement of closing adjustments that includes these figures.

What is a handover package and what will be in it?

This contains useful information you will receive upon moving into your new home. It contains your homeowner’s manual.

When can I tell you about a problem with my house?

Your first opportunity to do this is during your Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI); the next is when you submit your 30-day inspection form, followed by your Year End and then Second Year End Inspection forms. You can of course report emergencies at any time during the warranty period.

What is the Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI) and why is it important?

The PDI is the first opportunity you have to view your home and assess its condition before you take possession. Write down any items that are incomplete, damaged, missing or not operating properly. Our inspector will review the function of the various systems within the home with you.

What is a 30-day Form?

Within 30 days of your closing date, you are responsible for completing the 30-day form and submitting a copy to Ashcroft Homes. We will contact you to schedule an inspection based on this 30-day submission. We will schedule a work date thereafter to complete any remedial work required. During this time you may have noted floor squeaks, nail pops and some doors becoming tight or loose. These types of items are typically deferred to your year-end inspection, as the house will go through a settling and drying out process during its first year.

What is the Year-end Form?

30 days before the anniversary of your closing, you’re responsible for completing the Year-end Form and submit a copy to Ashcroft. Again, we’ll contact you to schedule an inspection based on this submission, and will schedule a work date to complete any remedial work required. Included in the work we do at this time is the repair of any nail pops and drywall cracking, but we do not paint these areas after one year, as our paint will not match the paint already on the walls.

How do I fill out my 30-day Form and my Year-end Form? Who do I send them to?

You will be given these forms when you complete your Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI). Send your completed form to the Customer Service Department at Ashcroft Homes.

What is Tarion?

Tarion Warranty Corporation is responsible for administering the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. It is a non-profit corporation funded by the builders of Ontario. Tarion used to be called the Ontario New Home Warranty Program; it continues to establish and promote consistent standards of construction among Ontario’s new home builders. Tarion works with the building industry to help educate new-home buyers about their warranty rights, and about how to protect and maintain their warranty. All builders must be registered with Tarion in order to sell homes in Ontario.

Privacy Policy

1. Introduction
ASHCROFT HOMES TERMS OF SERVICE

This website is operated by Ashcroft Homes The terms “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Ashcroft Homes. The use of our website is subject to the following terms and conditions of use, as amended from time to time (the “Terms”). The Terms are to be read together by you with any terms, conditions or disclaimers provided in the pages of our website. Please review the Terms carefully. The Terms apply to all users of our website, including without limitation, users who are browsers, customers, merchants, vendors and/or contributors of content. If you access and use this website, you accept and agree to be bound by and comply with the Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the Terms or our Privacy Policy, you are not authorized to access our website, use any of our website’s services or place an order on our website.

2. Use of our Website
You agree to use our website for legitimate purposes and not for any illegal or unauthorized purpose, including without limitation, in violation of any intellectual property or privacy law. By agreeing to the Terms, you represent and warrant that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence and are legally capable of entering into a binding contract.
You agree to not use our website to conduct any activity that would constitute a civil or criminal offence or violate any law. You agree not to attempt to interfere with our website’s network or security features or to gain unauthorized access to our systems.
You agree to provide us with accurate personal information, such as your email address, mailing address and other contact details in order to complete your order or contact you as needed. You agree to promptly update your account and information. You authorize us to collect and use this information to contact you in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

3. General Conditions
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason. We reserve the right to make any modifications to the website, including terminating, changing, suspending or discontinuing any aspect of the website at any time, without notice. We may impose additional rules or limits on the use of our website. You agree to review the Terms regularly and your continued access or use of our website will mean that you agree to any changes.
You agree that we will not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of our website or for any service, content, feature or product offered through our website.

4. Products or Services
All purchases through our website are subject to product availability. We may, in our sole discretion, limit or cancel the quantities offered on our website or limit the sales of our products or services to any person, household, geographic region or jurisdiction.
Prices for our products are subject to change, without notice. Unless otherwise indicated, prices displayed on our website are quoted in Canadian dollars.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse orders, including without limitation, orders that appear to be placed by distributors or resellers. If we believe that you have made a false or fraudulent order, we will be entitled to cancel the order and inform the relevant authorities.
We do not guarantee the accuracy of the colour or design of the products on our website. We have made efforts to ensure the colour and design of our products are displayed as accurately as possible on our website.

5. Links to Third-Party Websites
Links from or to websites outside our website are meant for convenience only. We do not review, endorse, approve or control, and are not responsible for any sites linked from or to our website, the content of those sites, the third parties named therein, or their products and services. Linking to any other site is at your sole risk and we will not be responsible or liable for any damages in connection with linking. Links to downloadable software sites are for convenience only and we are not responsible or liable for any difficulties or consequences associated with downloading the software. Use of any downloaded software is governed by the terms of the license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is provided with the software.

6. Use Comments, Feedback, and Other Submissions
You acknowledge that you are responsible for the information, profiles, opinions, messages, comments and any other content (collectively, the “Content”) that you post, distribute or share on or through our website or services available in connection with our website. You further acknowledge that you have full responsibility for the Content, including but limited to, with respect to its legality, and its trademark, copyright and other intellectual property ownership.

You agree that any Content submitted by you in response to a request by us for a specific submission may be edited, adapted, modified, recreated, published, or distributed by us. You further agree that we are under no obligation to maintain any Content in confidence, to pay compensation for any Content or to respond to any Content.

You agree that you will not post, distribute or share any Content on our website that is protected by copyright, trademark, patent or any other proprietary right without the express consent of the owner of such proprietary right. You further agree that your Content will not be unlawful, abusive or obscene nor will it contain any malware or computer virus that could affect our website’s operations. You will be solely liable for any Content that you make and its accuracy. We have no responsibility and assume no liability for any Content posted by you or any third-party.
We reserve the right to terminate your ability to post on our website and to remove and/or delete any Content that we deem objectionable. You consent to such removal and/or deletion and waive any claim against us for the removal and/or deletion of your Content.

7. Your Personal Information
Please see our Privacy Policy to learn about how we collect, use, and share your personal information.

8. Errors and Omissions
Please note that our website may contain typographical errors or inaccuracies and may not be complete or current. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update information at any time, without prior notice (including after an order has been submitted). Such errors, inaccuracies or omissions may relate to product description, pricing, promotion and availability and we reserve the right to cancel or refuse any order placed based on incorrect pricing or availability information, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
We do not undertake to update, modify or clarify information on our website, except as required by law.

9. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
You assume all responsibility and risk with respect to your use of our website, which is provided “as is” without warranties, representations or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, with regard to information accessed from or via our website, including without limitation, all content and materials, and functions and services provided on our website, all of which are provided without warranty of any kind, including but not limited to warranties concerning the availability, accuracy, completeness or usefulness of content or information, uninterrupted access, and any warranties of title, non-infringement, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We do not warrant that our website or its functioning or the content and material of the services made available thereby will be timely, secure, uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that our websites or the servers that make our website available are free of viruses or other harmful components.

The use of our website is at your sole risk and you assume full responsibility for any costs associated with your use of our website. We will not be liable for any damages of any kind related to the use of our website.

In no event will we, or our affiliates, our or their respective content or service providers, or any of our or their respective directors, officers, agents, contractors, suppliers or employees be liable to you for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, losses or causes of action, or lost revenue, lost profits, lost business or sales, or any other type of damage, whether based in contract or tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of, or the inability to use, or the performance of, our website or the content or material or functionality through our website, even if we are advised of the possibility of such damages.

Certain jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions, or limitations, may not apply to you and our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

10. Indemnification
You agree to defend and indemnify us, and hold us and our affiliates harmless,, and our and their respective directors, officers, agents, contractors, and employees against any losses, liabilities, claims, expenses (including legal fees) in any way arising from, related to or in connection with your use of our website, your violation of the Terms, or the posting or transmission of any materials on or through the website by you, including but not limited to, any third party claim that any information or materials provided by you infringe upon any third party proprietary rights.

11. Entire Agreement
The Terms and any documents expressly referred to in them represent the entire agreement between you and us in relation to the subject matter of the Terms and supersede any prior agreement, understanding or arrangement between you and us, whether oral or in writing. Both you and we acknowledge that, in entering into these Terms, neither you nor we have relied on any representation, undertaking or promise given by the other or implied from anything said or written between you and us prior to such Terms, except as expressly stated in the Terms.

12. Waiver
Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms will not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. A waiver by us of any default will not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default. No waiver by us is effective unless it is communicated to you in writing.

13. Headings
Any headings and titles herein are for convenience only.

14. Severability
If any of the provisions of the Terms are determined by any competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, such provision will to that extent be severed from the remaining Terms, which will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

15. Governing Law
Any disputes arising out of or relating to the Terms, the Privacy Policy, use of our website, or our products or services offered on our website will be resolved in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario without regard to its conflict of law rules. Any disputes, actions or proceedings relating to the Terms or your access to or use of our website must be brought before the courts of the Province of Ontario in the City of Ottawa, Ontario and you irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts.

16. Questions or Concerns
Please send all questions, comments and feedback to us at [email protected]

ASHCROFT HOMES PRIVACY POLICY
We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of your personally identifiable information (“Personal Information”). As part of this commitment, our privacy policy governs our actions as they relate to the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information. Our privacy policy is based upon the values set by the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

1. Introduction
We are responsible for maintaining and protecting the Personal Information under our control. We have designated an individual or individuals who is/are responsible for compliance with our privacy policy.

2. Identifying Purposes
We collect, use and disclose Personal Information to provide you with the product or service you have requested and to offer you additional products and services we believe you might be interested in. The purposes for which we collect Personal Information will be identified before or at the time we collect the information. In certain circumstances, the purposes for which information is collected may be clear, and consent may be implied, such as where your name, address and payment information is provided as part of the order process.

3. Consent
Knowledge and consent are required for the collection, use or disclosure of Personal Information except where required or permitted by law. Providing us with your Personal Information is always your choice. However, your decision not to provide certain information may limit our ability to provide you with our products or services. We will not require you to consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of information as a condition to the supply of a product or service, except as required to be able to supply the product or service.

4. Limiting Collection
The Personal Information collected will be limited to those details necessary for the purposes identified by us. With your consent, we may collect Personal Information from you in person, over the telephone or by corresponding with you via mail, facsimile, or the Internet.

5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
Personal Information may only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it was collected unless you have otherwise consented, or when it is required or permitted by law. Personal Information will only be retained for the period of time required to fulfill the purpose for which we collected it or as may be required by law. [If applicable, include a description of any parties with whom you may share Personal Information.]

6. Accuracy
Personal Information will be maintained in as accurate, complete and up-to-date form as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it is to be used.

7. Safeguarding Customer Information
Personal Information will be protected by security safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity level of the information. We take all reasonable precautions to protect your Personal Information from any loss or unauthorized use, access or disclosure.

8. Openness
We will make information available to you about our policies and practices with respect to the management of your Personal Information.

9. Customer Access
Upon request, you will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of your Personal Information, and will be given access to it. You may verify the accuracy and completeness of your Personal Information, and may request that it be amended, if appropriate. However, in certain circumstances permitted by law, we will not disclose certain information to you. For example, we may not disclose information relating to you if other individuals are referenced or if there are legal, security or commercial proprietary restrictions.

10. Handling Customer Complaints and Suggestions
You may direct any questions or enquiries with respect to our privacy policy or our practices by contacting:
[email protected]

Additional Information

Cookies
A cookie is a small computer file or piece of information that may be stored in your computer’s hard drive when you visit our websites. We may use cookies to improve our website’s functionality and in some cases, to provide visitors with a customized online experience.
Cookies are widely used and most web browsers are configured initially to accept cookies automatically. You may change your Internet browser settings to prevent your computer from accepting cookies or to notify you when you receive a cookie so that you may decline its acceptance. Please note, however, if you disable cookies, you may not experience optimal performance of our website.

Other Websites
Our website may contain links to other third-party sites that are not governed by this privacy policy. Although we endeavor to only link to sites with high privacy standards, our privacy policy will no longer apply once you leave our website. Additionally, we are not responsible for the privacy practices employed by third party websites. Therefore, we suggest that you examine the privacy statements of those sites to learn how your information may be collected, used, shared and disclosed.

ABOUT MY HOME

What are the basic steps in building a house?

There are basically nine steps involved in building a house. They are:

  • Site work, including rough grading of the subdivision; installation of sewers, water mains, roads and utilities; and placing survey stakes to mark the boundaries of the lots.
  • Excavation and setting the foundation, which involves surveying a location for the future house; excavating for the foundation; constructing the concrete basement walls; setting and pouring the foundation; installing plumbing pipes; pouring the concrete floor of the home; digging trenches for utility lines; waterproofing the basement walls; and grading.
  • Framing: erecting the walls of the wood structure, installing windows and exterior door frames.
  • Roofing and exterior work, which includes applying roofing materials such as shingles, installing brick and vinyl siding and steps, laying the concrete garage slab and installing the overhead door.
  • Mechanical and electrical work, from the installation of plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling systems to pre-wiring the home for communication devices, running wiring for telephones, cable television and an intercom, and placing pipes for a central vacuum.
  • Interior finishing: installing insulation, finishing drywall, painting and staining, and installing cabinets, countertops, hard surface floor coverings, baseboards and handrails.
  • Trim work, which includes hanging interior doors, attaching window trims, installing fireplaces and mantles, setting plumbing fixtures, installing light switches and electrical outlets, hanging electrical fixtures, and setting heating registers, thermostats and heating/cooling unit.
  • Final work: possibly including installation of carpet and underpad, hardwood floors and ceramic or vinyl tile, and completing any miscellaneous interior fix-up (or adjustment) work on the entire home.
  • Seasonal work: final grading, landscaping, driveway and fencing installation—occurring usually when a block of homes can be worked on together to facilitate the interconnection of final grading, and also when weather is warm and dry enough to permit.
Can I make structural changes to the design of my home?

A certain level of customizing is possible. You and your sales representative can work together to agree on the concept and pricing so the modification is represented in the sale agreement. Our construction department will review your suggestions and must approve them prior to finalizing of the purchase and sale agreement.

When do I pick my interior finishes and upgrades?

After you sign your purchase and sale document, you may visit the Design Center and select your finishes and upgrades. Any upgrades will be priced and agreed on. These will be added in an amendment to your purchase and sale. Our Interior Design Team will help you make selections and avoid those that may have scheduling implications.

Do I get to choose my exterior brick colour?

If you’re purchasing a single-family home, you can choose the colour of brick you’d like. For aesthetic reasons, in townhomes—because they are adjoined—brick colour is not optional.

What should I do to prepare for moving into my new home?

Your homeowner’s manual is full of helpful tips on preparing for home ownership and for keeping your home in good condition. It has answers to important questions on a wide range of topics, from the effects of humidity on the elements of your home to preventing ice damming and performing regular home maintenance.

I received my keys from my lawyer, but the garage keys were not included. Where are they?

If you didn’t receive garage keys in the package from your lawyer, they are most likely taped on the inside of the garage doors itself.

Does Ashcroft activate my cable TV and telephone service?

We provide cable and telephone wiring to your home, but each utility company activates their own outlet.

ABOUT MY PROPERTY

When I purchase a home, do I get a fence?

There are different types of fences: privacy screens, sound-attenuation fences and perimeter fences. The city may require a sound-attenuation barrier or fence if your home is located near a busy collector road. If you are purchasing a townhome, you may be provided with a privacy screen separating your rear-yard amenity space and that of your neighbours. Townhomes are also normally given perimeter fencing along the rear lot line—unless a sound-attenuation barrier is already planned. These screens and perimeter fences are typically board-on-board “good-neighbour style” 1.8 meters high (6 feet). Semi-detached units generally receive privacy screens, but perimeter fencing is left for the purchaser to add later if desired. Unless sound-attenuation fencing is required, single-family home lots do not receive fencing or screens of any kind.

When can I expect trees to be planted?

Certain species of trees have to be planted in the spring or the fall; others can be planted anytime during the summer. Generally planting is performed during the landscaping phase of the exterior work, but if seasonal considerations come into play, it may be done after you’ve moved in.

What kind of landscaping can I expect?

Landscaping is different at every Ashcroft Homes development due to soil conditions, grades, sun exposure and a number of other factors. We work with a landscape architect to decide on the best approach. Our landscaping plan goes to the City of Ottawa for approval during the initial stages of the development. As such, homeowners do not have the option of selecting the species of trees to be planted on their lot. The plan outlines where, what species, and what size of trees and shrubs are required. Normally each lot receives topsoil, sod, a minimum of one tree and possibly some shrubbery. It is important for you to immediately start watering and other maintenance tasks to make sure your new plant material is well-established.

How do I know if I will have a Bell pedestal or any other type of utility structure on my lawn?

A composite utility plan approved by the City is available for review at the sales center. It shows the “street hardware” that new subdivisions now require: telephone and cable pedestals, electricity transformers, fire hydrants, mailboxes, streetlights, traffic control signs and street name signs. Most of these facilities are imposed on Ashcroft Homes by the authorities and there is usually no room for discretionary changes. Almost all are located on the City-owned boulevard between the curb and your front property line (if your home is on a City-owned street). On a private street, these facilities will also be located close the curb, subject to pre-arranged easements. Utility companies and City authorities can sometimes alter the composite utility plan.

What is a grading plan?

Designed by our engineers and approved by the City, the grading plan determines the final grades and slopes of the entire site including all of your lots. The grades shown on the plan must be adhered to: they facilitate stormwater runoff in specific directions and time frames. The plan shows driveway slopes, catchbasin locations, swales, terraces and—if necessary—stormwater-management ponds. The grading plan outlines the final topography of the site to ensure proper drainage. It illustrates the elevation of particular points, the degree and direction of slope, the location of catchbasins and retaining walls where required.

Will I need a retaining wall?

Engineers try to avoid the need for walls in landscaped areas, as they isolate areas of a yard and can be costly to maintain. We prefer to make steeper transitions using grassed slopes and let homeowners customize their yards over time. If retaining walls are needed, their locations are determined by registered engineers in conjunction with Ashcroft Homes to ensure proper drainage and minimal intrusion on each lot. Occasionally, steep slopes dictate that a wall makes the most sense and will provide more usable space.

What determines the size of my yard?

A number of factors determine the size and shape of lots generally, and therefore their yards as well—from the types and lengths of roadways to the different housing styles and how that mix is located within the subdivision. Lots at corners, bends in roadways, the abutting of other non-residential lots all have an impact. Zoning requirements are also taken into consideration.

ABOUT MY NEIGHBOURHOOD

How do I know what can be built on the open lot next to mine?

City zoning regulations (by-laws) determine what can be built on any given lot. Zoning by-laws also regulate lot size, parking requirements, building height and other site-specific factors (www.Ottawa.ca). Zoning maps for any given subdivision and the immediate neighbourhood are available for review at the relevant sales center.

Why do developments have different phases?

The phasing of construction varies from project to project. It normally follows a particular schedule for road servicing and construction in response to market demand. The order of phasing is available for review at the sales center.

What is a private street?

A private street is owned by a group of individuals rather than the City. This group is usually in the form of a registered Condominium Corporation whose members are usually the homeowners whose properties front onto the private street. Through the corporation, this group is responsible for managing and maintaining the street and pays fees to do so.

What are the advantages of living on a private street?

You have a direct say in the affairs of the street and can schedule various controls and maintenance activities. As a shareholder, you have the ability to beautify the street through additional landscaping and to regulate its use in ways that benefit the group of homeowners.

Need more information?

We would love to hear from you. If you are interested in a specific community, please contact the sales centre. For general inquiries, click below.

Inquire about a Rental