Browse common questions about homes and garages
If you have a question that is not answered below, or you would like more information on any of these topics, please contact us. We’re here to share expert advice so you can put your confidence in Star.
What do I need to do to prepare my site for my RTM?
While we’re building your home, you’ll need to arrange the following:
• Foundation
• Septic field/tank
• Water well
• Permits
• House mover
Once the home is set on the foundation, you’ll also need to connect your utilities and complete the final touches:
• Heating and ventilation
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Painting
• Eavestroughing
• Joist cavity insulation
• Landscaping
We’ll work with you throughout the process and connect you with reliable tradespeople in your area. Download our Customer Construction Checklist for more information.
How long does it take to build a home or cottage?
Typically we can build a new home to your specification in five to six months. If you’re purchasing one of our in-stock homes, we can add your finishing touches and get it ready to move in three months or sooner.
Do you arrange transportation?
We do not arrange transportation, but we will provide you with a list of reliable movers. We encourage you to contact several of them for quotes. These companies are familiar with our RTM homes, and moving them is a relatively simple process. Give the mover your address, and they’ll take care of everything else: picking up the home, transporting it, raising any hydro lines and setting it on the foundation.
What are the customer’s responsibilities?
When you purchase an RTM or build-on-site home or garage package from Star, you are purchasing the floor joists up. You will still need to work with local contractors and tradespeople to build the foundation, set up utilities and arrange transportation. Download our Customer Construction Checklist for more information.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
All of our Ready to Move Homes and Built on Site Homes come with a one year Limited Construction Warranty, so you’re covered for defects in materials and labour of your home for the first year. You’re also covered for structural defects and defects in the load bearing structures for up to five years. More information is available on the National Home Warranty website.
Our garages come with a one-year warranty on material and workmanship.
Can you move an RTM to Ontario?
Unfortunately, the highways connecting Manitoba and Ontario have width restrictions that do not accommodate moving a ready to move home. However, we can deliver the materials you need to build a cottage, home or garage on your site. Choose your blueprints and design features, and we will assemble all the materials a contractor needs to build it. These materials can be delivered to Ontario quickly and conveniently.
RTMs can be delivered within Manitoba and to Saskatchewan.
How can I customize one of your standard models or design a custom home?
We start with a complimentary consultation. With your approval, we proceed to drawing preliminary plans. We meet with you to get your input into these preliminary plans, and we keep this cycle going until you are 100 per cent happy with the plan design. The next step will be for us to create the final working drawings.
Can a RTM home be placed on a basement or crawl space foundation?
An RTM home is no different than a regular new home that is built in any subdivision, so the answer is yes – it can have a full basement along with a rec room. You can build the foundation walls to any height you desire as well.
Can I purchase an RTM garage?
Unfortunately, we do not build ready to move garages. Once you choose your model and add your features, we will package the building materials and deliver them to your site along with detailed plans. From there, you can build it yourself or let us build it for you.
Tell me about the quality of an RTM home.
An RTM home is no different than a regular, site-built new home, so its lifespan is exactly the same. In fact, since we have full control of the building process right here in our manufacturing yard, the chances are very good that an RTM home from Star is actually built better than an on-site home.
Do I need a building permit?
When you purchase a home, cottage or garage from Star, you’ll need to contact your local municipality office to secure necessary building permits. Contact information can be found through the provincial website for Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The municipality will require two full sets of plans.
Tell me about Star’s customer service.
Whether you purchase an RTM or build-on-site package, you will work with our project management team at Star throughout the entire process. You can contact this person at anytime – even after the project is complete!