Thinking of a Reno? Start with a Design Consultation

With an uncertain real estate market and soaring house prices in Toronto, many homeowners are opting to stay put and renovate rather than move. The housing stock is aging and people who have owned their homes for many years have equity value. This, and low interest rates, are making renovating an attractive alternative to moving.

But once you’ve made the decision to renovate, how do you get the process underway? For major renovations such as an addition, a consultation with an architectural designer is a smart way to start. Even smaller renovations can benefit from a consultation if the project involves moving structural walls, creating a basement apartment or a new rear deck. All these projects require working drawings by architectural and engineering consultants and approved building permits, which an architectural designer can arrange. An initial consultation will cost about $75. Fees for the design process will vary according to the size of the project.

Once you have the drawings and permits in hand, you can seek quotes from qualified building contractors to complete the job.

If you are adding to a building or moving interior walls, an architectural designer can help ensure that your project moves ahead smoothly. By presenting working drawings during the bidding process, you can be assured that contractors are submitting competitive bids, based on the same scope of work.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club