Architectural Design & Drafting Services
Where Artistry Meets Precision

• "We are looking to have a new home/cottage built. We need to apply for permit, with plans. Can you do this? How does the process work?"
  Yes! We can design a home/cottage which will match your dreams and budget. Generally, the best way to start is to meet and review yours ideas and requirements, talk about the possibilities and find out what services you are interested in. Once we have met and reviewed your project, we can determine the best approach to quickly and accurately achieve the goal, determine the cost for our services and issue you a contract for your review. Once you have approved the contract and fulfilled any potential retainer requirements, we begin by laying out the floor plan and refining these until they are perfect. From there, we produce elevations and/or perspectives which show you the exterior of your project. We continue to modify these exteriors and changing the floor plans until we have achieved the perfect mixture of interior and exterior. Once you are happy with the interior and exterior, we are able to complete the architectural package to a degree of detail suitable for submission for permit and construction. There may be additional steps after the basic plans are complete, and we can proceed with those until you are satisfied. Return


• "We are looking to put an addition on (or renovate) our home/cottage. Are you able to help us? How should we start and what is the process?"
  Definitely! We can help design and draft an addition or renovation for your project. The best place to start is by meeting you on site to review what we will be working with and getting an idea for what you are looking to achieve by undertaking the addition or renovation. At this meeting we will be discussing your goals and reviewing any existing site conditions that would be problematic or require early attention to determine potential impact of the project. While we are discussing your project we are taking notes to allow us a more accurate estimate as to the number of hours we will be dedicating to your project. Similarly to new homes and cottages we reviewed your project, determine the best approach to quickly and accurately achieving the goals, determine the cost for our services and issue you a contract for your review. Once you have approved the contract and fulfilled any potential retainer requirements, we begin by taking extremely detailed dimensions of the existing structure, transferring these to the computer for "AS-IS" drawings. We then proceed by laying out the floor plan and refining these until they are perfect. From there, we produce elevations and/or perspectives which show you the exterior of your project. We continue to modify these exteriors and changing the floor plans until we have achieved the perfect mixture of interior and exterior. Once you are happy with the interior and exterior, we are able to complete the architectural package to a degree of detail suitable for submission for permit and construction. There may be additional steps after the basic plans are complete, and we can proceed with those until you are satisfied. Return


• "I am doing renovations to my industrial/commercial building; can you do the architectural plans?"
  Yes, we are able to help you with this process. We may need to work in conjunction with an engineer and/or architect, but we have cooperative relationships which will give you everything you need without paying exorbitant architectural or engineering bills. We have spent years developing associations with "architectural professionals" which allow us to satisfy the needs of most projects. Return


• "How do you charge?"
  Costs are variable based on the complexity of the project. We do have standard hourly rates for drafting and design. Some are based on "per square foot" pricing and others are based on hourly estimates. Either way, once we issue a quotation it is our commitment to meet or beat the quoted price. It would be a very rare project indeed that would exceed a written quotation, and in the event that extra charges appear on the horizon, all our customers are consulted prior to undertaking any endeavours which would result in extra charges. Customers' signatures are required to confirm acceptance of additional charges. Please call the office and speak with Guy Dumas to be informed of our current generic pricing. Return


• "I need to have changes made to existing plans. How much will that cost and what is the best way to have them carried out?"
  Changes warrant a review for quotation and acceptance. Once we are able to assess the nature of the changes, we are quickly able to give you a budget pricing for making the changes. Upon your acceptance of the quotation, we would meet and mark up the existing plans, making a comprehensive list of the changes with any notes and proceeding to carry out the changes. Return


• "How many plans do I get and can I make copies?"
  For plans that may be issued on ledger paper, we generally provide 1 (one) bound set of plans with 4 (four) stapled copies. For plans that are issued on paper sizes large than ledger, two copies are provided. Review your contract for specific contract agreements regarding copying plans. It is strictly prohibited to reproduce or distribute any architectural plans for any project other that the one for which the contract was signed and/or drawings we produced. It is possible that reproduced drawings are illegal. Refer to the signed and accepted contract for more details. Return


• "Do I have everything I need for a permit?"
  Yes. It is important to note that each township differs as to their required submissions for permit. The nature of the project may require a structural engineer should any aspect of the project fall outside the limits of specific parts of the Ontario Building Code. Refer to your signed and accepted contract for a complete list of inclusions and exclusions. As part of our process, we communicate with your specific building department to determine anomalous requirements and make all efforts to inform you of required submissions which fall outside our contract. Should your building department require additional information, we are pleased to assist you in any way to obtain additional information for submission. This may require the involvement of a third party and could have additional costs attached to those services. We will do our best to inform you of any potential addition costs due to third party involvement as early in the process as possible. Return


• "How long does it take?" and "I am in a huge rush. Can you do this really quickly?"
  Generally two weeks. Most projects can be completed within two weeks but complexity and availability to meet affect this schedule. We are able to offer rush service, which has our staff working after hours and consequently the cost for "rush" projects is higher. We have been able to put architectural drawings together over a two day span in some circumstances. Return


• "Can you tell us how much our structure should cost to build?"
  Yes. We offer a complete "Bill of Materials" and "Costing" package as an option for your project. These documents should allow you to create a detailed budget. There are some budget or plugged amounts within these figures which are ballpark amounts. Other conditions which may affect the accuracy of a costing would be market volatility (lumber prices fluctuate throughout the year), sub-trade selection and season or location of construction, among others things. If you have selected a builder or general contractor for your project, it would be wise to have them involved prior to completion of the "Bill of Materials" to have their involvement in sub-trade and supplier quotations. Return


• "Can you refer a builder/contractor or sub-trade?"
  Yes. We would be happy to make "clean" referrals any time we are able. We do not accept "kick-backs" or "finder's fees" for our referrals and only make referrals for companies, trades and individuals to whom we have been exposed and are comfortable will be able to satisfy your needs in a proper business-like fashion. We are happy to pass along telephone numbers and names, but it is up to you and the referral from there. Return


• "My (insert position here) has a question about the plan…"
  Feel free to have them call us directly. Almost invariably, the answers to questions or concerns regarding construction are found within the architectural package. On occasion, the answer to a query is information which should be located on supplier's packages or by sub-trades. We will help you wherever we are able. Return