Questions people ask us

The address, photos of the space, and a few words about what you have in mind. A photo or link of something you like is plenty, and you do not need drawings or sketches. If you have a survey or old drawings, share them, and if not, we will tell you what we need.

A short conversation about your goals and property, with an honest first look at feasibility. Detailed zoning review, studies and concepts are paid steps with published fees.

Our primary service area runs from Ajax to London, including the GTA, and we also take projects elsewhere in Ontario. See the service areas.

Yes. We work with homeowners, contractors, developers and business owners, and coordinate your contractor’s input during the drawings and construction.

Not always. Small, straightforward projects can sometimes be designed by other qualified people. Read our note, Sometimes the honest answer is that you do not need an architect, or ask us and we will tell you plainly.

Yes, and there is no obligation. It is a friendly 15-minute conversation to understand your project and answer your questions.

Yes. If we work together, paid pre-design fees are credited in full toward your design agreement (when signed within three months).

That is completely fine. You keep the knowledge and direction from the step you paid for, and you are welcome to come back with questions at any time. The drawings and visuals remain our property, as described in our terms.

Permit and full-service fees depend on the property, the municipality and the scope. We publish what can be stated honestly, the early steps, and quote the rest after feasibility. See our pricing.

Most structural changes, additions, new basement apartments, larger decks and changes of use need one. The rules depend on your municipality and scope, so we check your property and project before you start. See our plain-language checklist.

It depends on the municipality, the type of project and whether the city asks for revisions. We cannot promise a date, but a complete, well-coordinated first submission gives the reviewer fewer reasons to come back with questions.

No. Municipalities make the decision, and nobody can honestly promise one. We prepare a complete, coordinated submission and respond to comments promptly.

Structural and other engineering is provided by separate affiliated engineering firms, or by your own engineer, under their own agreements and seals. We coordinate them with the architectural drawings.

Yes. We offer site visits and general review during construction, along with shop drawing and submittal review. General review checks that the work generally conforms to the design; it does not replace the contractor’s responsibility for construction methods and site safety.

Yes. We walk you through the concepts together. Final files are provided once we have an agreement in place.