Getting Started
INITIAL CONSULTATION + PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL
We start with a complimentary consultation at your home to discuss your project scope, budget, and objectives, exchange some ideas, and see if we’re a fit for your project. Based on this meeting, we outline our understanding of your project and provide an estimate of our design fees and timeline. If you accept our proposal, we move forward with the project.
Laying the Groundwork
SITE MEASUREMENTS + LIFESTYLE QUESTIONS
We follow up our first meeting with in-depth questions about your lifestyle and needs, preferred styles and colour palette, and review images that inspire you.
We also measure the site, take photos, and get a firm sense of your budget, so that we can properly allocate resources to each element of your project. If you have a contractor, we begin to collaborate with them as early as possible. If you don’t have one, we have a network of trusted companies we’re happy to recommend.
Exploring the Possibilities
CONCEPT DESIGN + SPACE PLANNING
We create floor plans, and present our design concepts to you with samples and images of key finishes and fixtures, to help you envision your new space and provide feedback. Our goal is to decide on a firm design direction, so that we can begin to bring your vision to life.
Preparing the Path
PERMIT DRAWINGS
If you need a permit, it can take 3 to 8 weeks to acquire one, depending on the municipality. As early as possible, we start to create permit drawings that outline the structural, electrical, and plumbing plans for your project. We submit a package to the City that includes a site plan, exterior elevations, existing plans, proposed plans, and any other necessary documentation.
Developing the Design
FINISH + FIXTURES SELECTION
We present you with choices for architectural finishes, plumbing and lighting, appliances, cabinets, doors, flooring, hardware and accessories, finding ways to help you realize your look within your project budget. You can visit showrooms with us to see and touch the elements you’ll be living with. As you make your choices, we create sign-off pages for your final approval.
Pricing Construction Costs
DESIGN DRAWINGS + SPECIFICATIONS
After you’ve made your selections, we create a detailed design drawing and specification package so that your contractor can accurately price your project – or so that you can put your project out to tender. The package also allows you to review the project, to ensure that you are happy with the way things look before construction starts.
Building Your Project
PROJECT MANAGEMENT + PROCUREMENT
We make regular site visits at key stages of the construction process, from the initial framing, to the electrical and plumbing rough-ins, to the construction and installation of major fixtures and finishes. In our experience, time spent on-site pays off in quality: we can answer questions as they arise, ensure that things are being constructed according to plan, and collaborate on solutions with tradespeople.
Following Up
FINAL CHECK-IN
After you’ve had the opportunity to enjoy your new space for a couple of weeks, we check in with you to see how it’s working, and to ask permission to take project photos for our portfolio.