FAQ

The most important thing a customer will need to do is prepare the foundation and hire a contractor to construct it, whether it’s a full basement or a crawl space foundation—many of our customers choose the latter. They’ll also need to address additional requirements like adding a driveway and clearing any trees to ensure the RTM (Ready-to-Move) home can be placed onto the foundation.

While it’s possible, the home would need to be built on-site since RTMs cannot be transported within the city of Winnipeg. It has been done before, but usually only on the outskirts or in open areas within the city’s perimeter. For homes within city limits, most would have a full basement, but it’s not always required. For example, we’re currently working on a highly custom build, and it’s going on a full basement foundation. The customer is already obtaining permits, so they’re ready to go.

Star predominantly builds homes from the joist level upward, while the remainder of the construction responsibilities falls under the homeowner’s purview. To assist in this process, Star provides a specification list outlining all aspects of the homes, as well as a budget sheet that gives the homeowner budgetary figures for their responsibilities. Additionally, the specification list details the specific requirements expected of the homeowner, ensuring clear guidance and alignment throughout the construction process.

From the time of deposit, it typically takes about 7 to 8 months to complete a standard ready-to-move home. However, Star also maintains a stock of homes in their build yard, conveniently located across the street, for customers seeking immediate possession. This inventory is continually updated, offering a selection of homes that can be ready as soon as the customer is prepared to move in. This option provides flexibility for those who need a home on a shorter timeline.

For ready-to-move homes, the transportation of the home is the responsibility of the customer. However, Star assists by providing a referral list of trusted house moving companies and is happy to make a phone call or two on the customer’s behalf if needed. While it can seem daunting, Star is committed to supporting its customers throughout the process. The referral list includes contacts for contractors, including house movers, ensuring customers have access to reliable assistance. Star is always ready to help as much as possible to ease the experience.

Logistically, it is impossible to move one of our homes down the No. 1 Highway, and our homes are specifically built to meet the building codes for Manitoba and Saskatchewan only, which differ from those in Ontario. However, we do offer an alternative solution: a shell material package. This includes everything needed to assemble a home to its shell state. We are able to deliver these packages to Ontario, including the Kenora area and slightly beyond, providing a viable option for customers in that region.

Star ready-to-move homes come with an excellent warranty package. This includes a comprehensive one-year Star warranty, which serves as a bumper-to-bumper, all-inclusive warranty. Additionally, homes are covered under the National Home Warranty Program with a 2, 5, and 10-year warranty. This program provides protection against structural defects, water penetration, and defects in materials, offering customers peace of mind with coverage for up to 10 years.

Yes, Star ready-to-move homes are specifically designed to be placed on a basement or crawl space foundation. For example, the homes come with a standard stairwell configuration for accessing a basement. When the home is delivered, it includes a temporary plywood covering, which the customer can remove to install the permanent basement stairs leading to their new basement. This foundational design ensures adaptability and ease of installation for homeowners.

One of the best parts about building a ready-to-move (RTM) home with Star is the ability to custom design your home. In fact, most customers choose to add some level of customization, such as additional windows, doors, or personalized features like extended kitchen islands. The great news is that Star doesn’t generally charge extra for customization itself—customers simply pay for the specific custom elements they add. The design process begins with Star’s in-house drafting program and varies in duration depending on how much back-and-forth and customization the customer desires. While it can sometimes take just a short amount of time, more extensive customizations may take a couple of months to finalize.

The quality of Star’s ready-to-move homes is exceptional. For example, in the Rundle display home, you can see the high-quality features we can incorporate for customers. These include a beautifully detailed wood-burning fireplace, quartz countertops in the kitchen, a stylish apron sink, and a striking black lighting package. Together, these elements create an absolutely stunning home that truly showcases the craftsmanship and design options available.

While a garage cannot be transported as part of a ready-to-move (RTM) package, Star offers a seamless solution. We design the RTM home with an attached garage, incorporating it into your blueprints. Once the home is moved to its foundation and the garage pad is prepared, our team can build the garage on-site, provided it is within our build zone. To help customers visualize their options, we have a garage demo at our display center. This life-size, 12-foot-wide garage allows you to see the design in person and choose your preferred colors and finishes for your custom garage.

Yes, a building permit is required for your ready-to-move (RTM) home. You will submit your permit application directly to your municipality, along with the blueprints provided by Star as part of your RTM package. While all permits for the RTM home are handled by our on-site electricians, the home undergoes a thorough inspection conducted by a third-party inspection agency to ensure compliance with all standards. This process ensures that everything is properly documented and inspected for a smooth and compliant build.