Questions to Ask When Pricing and Floor Plans Are Released

Every question below has a definite answer, and every answer belongs in writing. Use this list the moment a release package lands.

A release package arrives with a lot of information and a short decision window. The buyers who handle that well are the ones who arrive with a question list rather than assembling one on the spot. This is a general checklist for any Ontario new-build release.

About the price

• Is the quoted price the base price, and what is included in it?
• Which items shown in the illustration or model are standard and which are upgrades?
• Are there price escalation clauses, and under what circumstances can the price change?
• Are development charges, levies and municipal fees capped in the agreement, and at what amount?
• Is HST included in the quoted price, and on what basis — owner-occupied or investment?

About the floor plan

• Is the stated square footage measured to the exterior face of the wall or to the interior finished surface?
• What is the finished ceiling height on each level, and where do bulkheads drop it?
• Which walls are exposed, and where do the windows actually fall on the plan?
• Is the basement finished, roughed-in or unfinished, and what is the ceiling height and window size down there?
• Which elevations are available for this plan, and is elevation choice mine or assigned?
• Can the layout be modified, and if so what is the process and cost?

About the lot

• What are the exact lot dimensions, and where is the lot on the site plan?
• What is the grading condition, and will there be a retaining wall, swale or catch basin on the lot?
• Are there easements, utility boxes, transformers or hydrants on or adjacent to the lot?
• What is planned for the land immediately behind and beside the lot, and over what timeframe?
• Is the driveway paved, the lot sodded and the fencing installed at closing, or later?

About the agreement

• What is the full deposit schedule, and on what dates are the instalments due?
• How is my deposit protected, and what happens to it if the project does not proceed?
• What is the tentative occupancy or closing date, and what extension rights does the builder hold?
• Which closing adjustments are capped and which are open-ended?
• How long is the statutory cooling-off period, and when does it start?
• What are my assignment rights, and what fee or restriction applies?

About finishes and the décor process

• What is standard, in writing, room by room?
• When does the décor appointment happen, and how long is the selection window?
• When are upgrade payments due, and are they refundable?
• Are upgrade allowances transferable between categories?
• Are appliances included, and if so which ones and at what specification?

About warranty and handover

• Is the home enrolled in the Ontario new home warranty programme, and what is the enrolment fee?
• Who conducts the pre-delivery inspection, and can I bring my own inspector?
• How are deficiencies recorded, and what is the resolution timeline?
• What are the coverage periods for materials and workmanship, systems and structure?

Ask for written answers. A verbal assurance at a sales appointment is not part of your agreement of purchase and sale, and only what is in the agreement is enforceable.

The one question buyers forget

Ask what the total cash requirement is between signing and possession — deposits, upgrade deposits, décor payments, closing adjustments, legal fees, land transfer tax and utility connections. Buyers routinely budget for the purchase price and are surprised by the cadence of everything else. A single figure with dates attached prevents that.

Frequently asked questions

What pricing details should I look for in the release?

When the UpTown Woodbridge price list is released, you should confirm the starting price for each lot width, including the 26', 32', 38', and 42' singles. Ask about lot premiums for pie-shaped lots and any included features. Currently, the builder has only confirmed that pricing starts from the $700s.

How do I evaluate the UpTown Woodbridge site plan?

Evaluate the site plan by looking for the orientation of the cul-de-sacs and the proximity of specific lots to the 50% greenspace areas. You should also check for the number of parking spaces, as some homes offer up to 4-car parking. This helps you choose a lot that fits your lifestyle.

What information is usually missing from a preliminary floor plan?

Preliminary floor plans often lack exact room dimensions, square footage, and specific basement finishing options. Once Fieldgate Homes releases the UpTown Woodbridge plans this September, you should ask for a detailed features list to understand what finishes are included in the 'starting from' price and what are considered upgrades.

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