The Alder Estates Building Process

Move from a selected lot to a completed mountain home through coordinated due diligence, planning, design approval, permitting, construction and close-out.

1. Review the lot and title documents

Confirm the current title, registered charges, subdivision plan, dimensions, building envelope, grades, access, drainage, snow-storage needs, views and neighbouring development. Parts of the development may contain slopes greater than 25%, so property-specific geotechnical review and a development permit may be required.

The Information Statement describes water, sanitary sewer, storm, underground electrical, telecommunications conduit and piped propane services to lot boundaries. Owners remain responsible for applications, connections, meters, inspections and fees.

2. Assemble the project team

• Residential designer or architect familiar with the registered requirements (recommended)
• British Columbia-licensed builder with mountain and sloped-site experience (recommended)
• Legal surveyor and Geotechnical Engineer of Record
• Structural, civil, mechanical and electrical professionals as required
• Energy, landscape, wildfire and other specialists required by the project

3. Plan from the site outward

Resolve siting, footprint, driveway, parking, grading, retaining, drainage, utilities, tree preservation, snow storage and landscaping before locking the floor plan. Develop a concept that responds to the lot and follows Statutory Building Scheme No. CB1073573 and the Design Guidelines.

4. Prepare and submit the plans

The registered Building Scheme requires advance written approval from the Administrator. The 2023 scheme calls for plans and specifications in triplicate. Confirm whether the current Administrator accepts digital submissions and whether updated forms or checklists apply.

• Site plan at no smaller than 1:100
• Dimensioned floor plans at no smaller than 1:100
• Landscape plan
• Dimensioned elevations at no smaller than 1:100
• Roof plan and roof-height calculation table
• Construction drainage and environmental mitigation plans

Approval of the Building Scheme addresses the registered design requirements. It does not replace development, building, utility or other approvals required by the authority having jurisdiction.

5. Obtain permits and technical approvals

Confirm current requirements with the Building Scheme Administrator and Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality. Depending on the lot and design, the project may require development-permit review, geotechnical confirmation, a building permit, utility approvals and other technical submissions. Begin construction only after all required written approvals are in place.

6. Finalize scope, budget and contract

Align the approved plans, specifications, estimate and schedule. Confirm allowances, exclusions, taxes, professional fees, utility connections, site risks, changes, payment terms, insurance, warranty, delays, deficiencies and close-out documents. The A&T proposals are dated planning references, not fixed pricing for every lot or build date.

7. Prepare and manage the site

Protect the building envelope and approved vegetation, establish drainage and erosion controls, confirm survey layout, coordinate utilities and define access, material storage, waste and snow-management procedures. The Building Scheme prohibits construction before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m., subject to stricter government rules.

8. Construct and inspect the home

1. Mobilization, survey layout and site controls
2. Clearing, excavation, grading, drainage and retaining work
3. Foundations and underground services
4. Framing, roof and weather-tight enclosure
5. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and insulation
6. Interior finishes and exterior completion
7. Driveway, site restoration and landscaping
8. Inspections, deficiencies, occupancy and handover

9. Complete occupancy and landscaping obligations

Complete required inspections and occupancy documentation. The Building Scheme requires paved driveways within one year of occupancy and landscaping in accordance with the approved plan. The purchase contract requires a $20,000 refundable deposit for completing landscaping within one year after occupancy; it may be forfeited for non-compliance.