How much does design cost?

Design costs vary depending on the project, and our time invested in a project varies depending on the scope. We charge hourly for our time, so that at any point during our work together we can tell you our time invested to date. If you have a project budget in mind, it is a good idea to share that with us so that we can discuss feasibility.

How do I determine building permit costs?

Most municipalities have their fees online, and they usually are calculated according to square footage. Some municipalities charge a deposit as well. If you want to call your building department, they can help guide you.

Can you price the entire project for us, so that we know the cost to build?

We leave construction estimating to the contractors. We provide detailed drawings for the contractors, so they can produce an estimate for you. We are only able to comment on a rough range of costs based on past projects. We are happy to review contractor estimates and provide comments.

How much does an engineer cost, and when are they required?

We require an engineer to sign off on any items or details that are outside of our allowable scope of work. Emily has her Small Buildings BCIN which includes any residential building and any building under part 9 of the Ontario Building Code. Sometimes we need to use a type of beam or structural member that is outside of part 9, or sometimes we need to build something that is outside of the specifications in part 9 (for example, a foundation wall that is very tall). Engineers don’t have to be costly: a few hundred dollars to size a single item for example.

Will you do work in commercial buildings?

While Emily’s BCIN number does allow her to prepare drawings for some types of commercial and retail buildings, we only stick to residential work. We want to be excellent at what we do, and we believe that being too diverse will prevent this.

Are you insured?

Yes, we are required to carry insurance to satisfy our BCIN requirements as well as our membership with ARIDO.

Do you have a showroom, and are you open to the public?

Yes, we have an office in Waterloo. In our meeting space, we have a large TV which we use to show clients their 3D modeling. We keep a number of samples to refer to as to help our clients make selections. Our office is open by appointment only.

What is the difference between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?

Interior Design and Interior Decorating are very different professions, though often they are portrayed as one in the same. Interior Designers work with health and safety regulations, building code, and are involved in structurally changing spaces. The title of Interior Designer is protected, and one must carry insurance, participate in ongoing professional development, and adhere to a code of ethics. Interior Designers are trained and capable of Interior Decorating, but that is only a fraction of what we do. For further information, please see ARIDO’s website: www.arido.ca. Interior Decorators only work with non-structural materials and do not have the ability to manipulate a building’s structure. Most Interior Decorators do space plan, but it is focused more around furnishings.

Can you help me select exterior materials and colours?

Absolutely, we can help you select materials and colours for your home, both inside and out. We have a full sample library of lots of great materials we can show you.

How long is the design phase of a project?

The length of the design phase varies according to the scope of work. Generally for a small straightforward project with limited design, we can be permit ready within 4 to 6 weeks. For a large project we recommend 6 months to design and move into structural drawings for permit submissions. Every project is different in the scope and the length of time varies based on revisions, approvals required, and our client's availability.

How long does it take to get a permit?

Once we submit for a building permit, it is a 10-day waiting period to receive comments or questions of clarification from the building department. Often, we receive a permit without any clarifications needed. However, depending on how busy the building department is, and depending on statutory holidays, we suggest giving three weeks.During this time, we can work on selections and detail drawings.

Can I submit for my own building permit using your drawings?

You can take our drawings and submit for your own building permit, but we prefer to submit ourselves. If the building department comes back to us with questions, it is more straightforward for us to respond directly. Also, we want to constantly improve and learn in order to give the plans reviewers with information they need.

Why are there by-laws associated with my property? Shouldn’t I be able to build whatever I want?

One example we like to use is this: would you want someone to be allowed to build a 6-storey apartment building right on your property line, blocking out the sun? This is the reason we have by-laws. The by-laws that affect your property generally regulate how close you can build to your property line, how much of your property area you are allowed to build on, and how tall you can build. We are able to request to build outside of these parameters by going to your local township and requesting a minor variance at the Committee of Adjustment. If we are able to make a case for why this is necessary, you may be granted approval.

Are you able to recommend a contractor?

Certainly; we have good relationships with great contractors that would be happy to look at your project. We can even be the point-person in requesting quotations.

Don’t see an answer to your question? Please feel free to contact us below regarding any questions you might have.