Sonoma Homes - Homeowners Resource Guide

Feel right at home OU R HEL PF U L H O M E O W N E R R ESO U RC E GU ID E FRO M Y O U R TRU STE D B U I LDER

Welcome to the Sonoma Homes Family!

We are dedicated to providing you with quality customer experiences through valued service.

We are confident that your new home will provide you with many years of comfort and enjoyment.

In this guide, you will find helpful information to assist you throughout your new home buying experience with Sonoma Homes.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Thank you for choosing Sonoma Homes as your trusted builder!

Be sure to let us know how we are doing.

We always welcome & appreciate Client Reviews.

Email them to: angela@sonomahomes.ca

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The Sonoma Experience Sonoma Homes is committed to providing outstanding customer experiences.

We value each of our homeowners like they are an extension of our Sonoma family.

Now that you’ve purchased your new Sonoma Home, here is a brief overview of what happens next: Time to start planning! The Sonoma Homes Design Consultant will contact you to schedule a meeting with you to select your finishes.

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When all selections have been finalized, the construction of your home will begin

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The Construction phase is the exciting part! It’s great to see it all come together from a distance but please do not visit our active construction site during or after Construction Site hours without an appointment. We take Safety on the Job Site very seriously!

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Stay up to date on the progress of the community by following us on Facebook & Instagram or call our office, we would be happy to update you

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Time for your Pre-Delivery Inspection! A Sonoma Homes representative will contact you to schedule a date and time for this appointment

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Closing Date & Key Release

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Tarion Warranty & Registration

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Read our additional Helpful Information & follow our Monthly Home Maintenance Tips to preserve the quality of your Sonoma Home

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Give us your Feedback

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Start Designing your New Home!

This is the fun part! Enjoy the process and personalize your home to fit your style!

Here are some tips to prepare for your Design & Selections appointment: v

Carefully consider and decide what kitchen and laundry room appliances you will be purchasing for your home and come to your Design Selections Appointment with all of the Manufacturer Specifications for your chosen appliances.

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Determine what your colour scheme will be for your new home.

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Consider what is on your “Wish List” and what is on your “Need List”.

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Review the upgrade package options in Sonoma’s “Inspiration Book”. Consider a budget for upgrades.

Sonoma saves you money by offering you amazing upgrade packages! These convenient Upgrade Packages are being offered for a special rate from our regularly priced items found in our “Inspiration Book”!

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These packages are exclusive to our homeowners of The Highlands of Mount Hope!

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The additional features and finishes in our packages will give your home the “WOW” factor, luxury, ease of functionality and convenience.

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Personalizing your home is a good investment into the value of your home! Remember: any upgrades that you enhance your home with, will add increased value, functionality, personality and uniqueness to your new home!

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Time for your Pre-Delivery Inspection!

What you can Expect!

Your PDI appointment is your TARION Pre-Delivery Inspection appointment with Sonoma Homes.

The appointment takes place a few weeks before your closing date. This is your opportunity to walk through your new home to ensure that the features and finishes that you ordered have been installed.

We know you are excited about your new home but, we remind you that the PDI appointment is a very important informative appointment and is not reserved for you to show your family and friends your new home.

A Sonoma Homes representative will do the PDI walk through with you and will explain to you important information pertaining to your new home. This is an opportunity to learn about the many features and systems within your home.

The PDI appointment is reserved for the homeowners of the home only. If you are unable to attend the appointment, then a designate may be appointed to attend the PDI appointment on your behalf.

Please see below for an outline of what you can expect at your PDI appointment:

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A Sonoma Homes Representative will email you with an appointment date for your Pre-Delivery Inspection walk through. The appointment will be scheduled for approximately 2 – 3 weeks prior to your closing date.

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The PDI appointment time slots take place during the hours of 9:30 am and 2:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) and are approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hours in duration.

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The PDI appointment will be conducted according to the direction of the Sonoma Homes team member, one room at a time.

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The PDI appointment is your opportunity to note if there are any deficiencies in accordance with the TARION Guidelines. Should there be any deficiencies, Sonoma Homes will work efficiently to address the noted deficiency prior to the closing date or on a scheduled date shortly after the closing date. CONTINUED

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5. During your walk through, important information such as regular maintenance tips for your home and the different mechanical systems will be explained to you.

6. On the day you take possession of your home, you will be able to access your Homeowner Portal through the TARION website. Here you will access important information regarding your home warranty and significant warranty dates.

7. On the day that you receive your keys, we will take a few moments with you to walk through your new home to acknowledge and sign off on the completion of any deficiencies, if any were noted during your PDI appointment. If an item has not been completed prior to your closing date, we will make arrangements with you after the occupancy date to have the items addressed.

Here is a helpful summary of some of the steps that your Sonoma Homes team will take to ensure your satisfaction during your PDI appointment: v Operation of windows will be checked to make sure they open, close and lock properly v Location of your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors will be shown to you and we will explain how often you should replace the batteries v We will look in the closets and make sure that all of the shelves have been provided and installed v All of the light switches in your home will be tested to ensure that they are in working condition v The bathroom fan will be tested to ensure that it works properly v Location of GFI’s will be shown to you v Toilets will be flushed v You will be shown where the water shut offs are located, this also includes the location of the Main Water Shut Off for your home v Check cabinet doors and drawers to determine if they are properly aligned v Ensure that caulking has been installed at the kitchen and bathroom counters v Check the efficiency of the water flows of all faucet locations and test shower and bathtub faucets v Examine carpet for stains or marks v Examine floors for damage v Ensure that all options and additional upgrades have been installed v Test the temporary range hood fan and light v Determine where any manuals, if any, will be left for you v Location of exterior hose bibs v Location of gas lines (interior and exterior) v Furnace, HRV, Hot Water Tank, Air Conditioner location and regular maintenance, including how to change the furnace filter v Location of the furnace system shut off switch v Location and explanation of the Sump Pump, its function and annual maintenance, if applicable v Explanation of maintaining proper humidity levels and the importance of using a dehumidifier v Location of electrical panel, labelling and resetting of breakers v Location and explanation of the purpose of the Principle Exhaust Fan

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The day has finally arrived! What you can expect on your Closing Date.

The day is here! Congratulations! We understand what an exciting day this is for you, but there are a few things to note about your closing date. Please see the list below: 1. Your house deal is closed only when you hear from our Sonoma Homes office. This process with the lawyers and bank institutes sometimes takes the majority of the day to complete. So, please be patient and please wait for our phone call or email before sending your moving truck to the new home.

2. We strongly do not recommend any deliveries of new appliances, new furniture, scheduling of the cable company and scheduling of the security company, or any other services, on the day of closing due to the fact that an exact closing time of the day is unpredictable because this is dependent on bank institutions and the completion of lawyers’ paperwork. Sonoma Homes will not give access into the home under any circumstances, prior to the home being closed legally and until Sonoma Homes receives notification from our lawyer.

Unfortunately, we cannot store any of your personal belongings anywhere in the home or on the property while waiting for your home to officially close.

3. Once we have notified you that your house deal is closed, then we will make arrangements for you to meet a Sonoma Homes representative in front of your new home to receive the keys.

4. If there were any deficiencies noted at your PDI appointment, then the Sonoma Homes representative will show you that the item has been rectified or will discuss with you that the item still may need servicing.

5. Enjoy your moving day and your new home!

Landscaping The grading of your property may not be altered, in any way whatsoever and under any circumstances, prior to the final inspections and approvals from the Developer’s Servicing Engineer, and inspections and approvals by the Municipality. This process may take up to 2 years or longer. If the homeowner experiences water leaking and penetration inside the home as a direct result of a fence being installed, concrete work, patios or decks being built, etc. or the driveway being altered by the homeowner, prior to Sonoma Homes receiving the mandatory approvals and Grading certificate from the Municipality, then Sonoma Homes will not be held responsible for these repairs. Should they occur for the above reasons, the repairs will be entirely the responsibility of the homeowner.

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TARION WARRANTY:

Home Owner Package This is an important and helpful guide to your HOMEOWNERS’ New Home Warranty. The Tarion Warranty CHOICE AWARDS helps protect your most important investment 2017 – your home.

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Be sure to read the Tarion Homeowner Information Package www.tarion.com Builder of theat Year Register with MyHome to manage your Tarion Home Warranty and submit warranty forms on line.

Monthly Home Maintenance Guide Along with the excitement of homeownership comes much required home maintenance.

Sonoma Homes strongly advises our homeowners to take the necessary steps to properly maintain your home. For additional information, please call the Sonoma Homes office or visit www.tarion.com.

Avoid Moisture Damage from Occurring OUTSIDE OF THE HOME

Avoid Moisture Damage from Occurring INSIDE OF THE HOME

• Do not landscape or alter your grading until you have heard from Sonoma Homes when you may proceed with your landscaping plans.

• If you have any leaky plumbing pipes and fixtures, it is important to repair these immediately.

• To avoid situations where moisture can come into direct contact with the structure of the building, do not plant flower beds within 6 inches from the foundation of the home.

• Ensure that the slopes adjacent to the homes are maintained to slope away from the home so that rain water and snow will melt or run away from the home.

• Clear eavestroughs on a regular basis and extend downspouts to allow water to be directed away from your home. Standing water that pools near the foundation can force its way into the basement.

• Ensure that you run a dehumidifier continuously from the month of April until the end of October.

• Ensure that your sump pump is working during periods of heavy rainfall.

• Ensure that all water taps are shut off completely when not in use.

• Inspect your basement to ensure that there isn’t any water penetrating through.

• Ensure bathroom fans are turned on when taking showers to remove the accumulation of moisture in the bathroom.

• Be sure to re-caulk any caulking around the windows or doors that may have cracked or separated.

• Have your roof inspected on a regular basis to ensure that shingles and flashing are in place and sealed properly.

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Spring Home Maintenance Checklist (March to May) MARCH

• Turn on exterior water supply

• Clean furnace filter and heat recovery ventilator (HRV)

• Run dehumidifier • Check and reset GFCI

• Check attic

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check sump pump (if installed)

MAY

• Clean humidifier • Remove snow and ice from overhang and vents • Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors • Check water heater for leaks

• Inspect fences • Check caulking for air and water leaks • Lubricate weather stripping • Check exterior finishes

APRIL

• Check windows and screens are operating properly

• Check eaves troughs and downspouts

• Check septic system (if installed)

• Clean furnace filter and HRV

• Run dehumidifier

• Clean humidifier

• Check and reset GFCI

• Check roof for loose or cracked shingles

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check driveways and walks for frost damage • Check water heater for leaks

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist (June to August)

JULY

JUNE

• Clean air conditioner

• Inspect air conditioning for Freon leaks • Check roof • Check sealing around windows and doors • Fertilize lawn • Check water heater for leaks • Run dehumidifier • Water lawn regularly

• Air out damp basements on dry, sunny day • Check exhaust fans • Check water heater for leaks • Water lawn regularly • Run dehumidifier • Check and reset GFCI • Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check and reset ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)

AUGUST

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Air out damp basements on dry, sunny days

• Clean air conditioner filter • Run dehumidifier • Water lawn regularly • Check and reset GFCI • Check water heater for leaks

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Fall Home Maintenance Checklist (September to November)

• Check sealing around windows and doors

SEPTEMBER

• Check septic system if installed

• Check exterior finishes • Check garage door tracks and lubricate bearings • Check caulking for air and water leaks • Check water heater for leaks • Check fireplace and chimney

• Winterize landscaping and remove leaves • Clean furnace filter and HRV • Clean water heater for leaks • Shut off exterior water supply • Check eaves troughs and downspouts

• Check basement or crawl spaces

• Clean humidifier and change filters

• Have humidifier, furnace and HRV serviced and change filters

• Run dehumidifier • Check and reset GFCI

• Check exterior clothes dryer vent

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Run dehumidifier

NOVEMBER

• Check and reset ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) • Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check attic • Inspect floor drains to ensure trap is filled with water

OCTOBER

• Clean furnace filter and HRV

• Check windows and screens

• Check for condensation and humidity

• Drain exterior water lines

• Check and reset GFCI

• Check roof including shingles, flashing and vents

• Check water heater for leaks

• Check weather stripping

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist (December to February)

JANUARY

DECEMBER

• Clean furnace filter and HRV

• Check air ducts • Check for excessive snow on roof

• Check furnace fan belt • Check water heater for leaks

• Remove snow and ice from roof overhang/vents

• Check exhaust fans

• Clean furnace filter and heat recovery ventilator (HRV)

• Clean humidifier • Remove snow and ice from roof overhang/vents

• Clean humidifier

• Check and reset GFCI

• Check and reset ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Check water heater for leaks • Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

FEBRUARY • Clean furnace filter and HRV • Check inside surfaces • Remove snow and ice from roof overhang/vents • Check water heater for leaks • Check and reset GFCI

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Additional Helpful Home Maintenance Tips • Clean lint from inside dryer vent on a daily basis, or as needed • Check and clean stove hood fan filter on a monthly basis • If there is a sump pump installed, check it regularly when there is a power failure and excessive rain water. We recommend lifting the top off four times annually to ensure there is no impeding debris and that it is working properly • If there is a back flow preventer installed, check it four times a year by removing the cover and unscrewing the cap to make sure that nothing is impeding the back flow preventer flap • Remove any leaves and debris from basement window wells, as needed

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Helpful Service Contact Information Hydro One Emergency .......................................... 1-800-434-1235 Hydro One Service Inquiries .................................. 1-888-664-9376 Alectra Utilities Customer Service .............................. 905-522-9200 Alectra Power Outages ............................................ 905-522-6611 Union Gas Account & Billing ................................. 1-888-774-3111 Union Gas Emergency & Gas Leaks ....................... 1-877-969-0999 Enercare ......................................................... 1-800-266-3939 Sonoma Homes ....................................................... 905-538-2617 Tarion Home Warranty Corporation ....................... 1-877-982-7466

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Enjoy your home

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The contents within this guide are industry recommended best practices. The contents and information within this book are meant to be used as a guide and are subject to change without notice. Sonoma Homes and its representatives will take no liability or responsibility for the regular maintenance of your home. It is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to diligently maintain their property. E. & O. E.

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