Project Planning & Pre-Construction
Before you build,
you need a Plan.
Most renovation and new build projects run over budget and over time for one reason: decisions weren’t made before construction began. We help you get everything in order — permits, professionals, budget, and design — before a single wall comes down.
WHAT THIS IS
Pre-Construction is everything that happens before you hire a builder.
It’s the phase most homeowners skip — and it’s the reason most projects go sideways. Before construction begins, the right professionals need to be engaged, permits need to be in order, and every decision that affects your budget needs to be made on paper, not on site.
“Changes made during construction cost 3-5x more than changes made at the planning stage. Pre-construction is where you protect your budget.”
We guide you through every step—as many or as few as your project requires — so you arrive at your build date with a clear plan, a realistic budget, and a contractor who knows exactly what to build.
THE PROCESS
What pre-construction actually involves
Every project is different, so we don’t follow a rigid formula. But here are the key steps we work through together — you may need all of them, or just a few.
Project Planning & Scope
01
We establish what you’re trying to accomplish, what’s realistic within your budget, and what order things need to happen in. This is your roadmap — and it prevents expensive surprises.
Site Analysis & Feasibility
02
Can you move that wall? Can you add a suite? Can you build up or out on your lot? We look at your home from a builders perspective and tell you honestly what’s achievable — before you spend money finding out the hard way.
Preliminary Budget Planning
03
We build a preliminary budget based on your scope — materials, labour, professional services, and contingency. It’s not final, but it gives you a realistic number to work toward before you commit to anything.
Professional Services Coordination
04
Architects, engineers, surveyors, — we know who you need and when. We coordinate the right professionals for your project so nothing is missed and no one is duplicating work.
Permit Preparation & Management
05
Getting a permit approved takes detailed documentation and coordination across multiple disciplines. We manage the process from preparation through to approval so you’re not navigating municipal requirements alone.
Full Design Development
06
Once pre-construction is complete, we move into full interior design — space planning, finishes, fixtures, technical drawings, and everything your builder needs to execute the project.
WHERE WE START
The Prep & Plan Meeting
Every project starts here. Before we can tell you what you need, we need to see your space, hear your vision, and understand what you’re working with. This 1.5 hour on-site meeting is how we build your plan.
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We look at your home through a builder’s eyes — structural considerations, feasibility, and anything that could affect your plan.
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We listen to your dreams, your concerns, your budget expectations, and your timeline — and we’re direct about what’s realistic.
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We flag permit requirements, zoning limitations, and anything else that could affect your approvals before you’ve spent money on design.
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After the meeting, you receive a written blueprint of every step we’ll take to get your project from idea to build — plus a full proposal with our services, process, and fees.
INDIVIDUAL SERVICES
Need Just one piece of the puzzle?
Some Clients come to us with a specific gap — they need a feasability study, a permit package, or a preliminary budget. We offer these as standalone services too.
Feasibility & Site Analysis
Not sure what’s possible on your lot or in your existing home? We assess the project from a builder’s perspective — zoning, structural considerations, municipality requirements — and tell you what you’re working with before you commit.
From $1500
Permit Package Creation
Permit packages require tight coordination across designers, drafters, engineers, and architects. We manage the whole process — from preliminary documentation through to a submission that’s ready for municipal approval.
From $2500 - (Excluding Professional Services)
Preliminary Budget Planning
Don’t go into a renovation or new build without a number to work toward. We build a preliminary budget based on your scope —- materials, labour, finishes — so you can make informed decisions before spending anything significant. You will require some design support for new builds to establish footprint and fixture needs.
From $1000 — Trade Walkthrough accuracy $2000+
COMMON QUESTIONS
If you’ve asked yourself any of these, we should talk…
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Preliminary budget planning answers this before you’re committed. We give you a realistic number — and a plan to work within it.
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It depends on your municipality (most require it) and the scope of work. But, we find this out for you and manage the entire permit process if needed.
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A feasability study answers exactly this. We assess your home from a builders perspective before you spend money on design or demolition.
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That’s what the Prep & Plan Meeting is for. You’ll leave with a written roadmap and a clear plan — no guessing about what comes next.
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We can assess a property before you purchase — looking at feasibility, estimated scope, and whether the numbers make sense for what you want to do.
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Book a free 15 minute discovery call. That’s it. We’ll tell you exactly what your next step is based on where you. are right now.
GET STARTED
Don’t start knocking down walls until you have a plan.
We offer a free discovery call or an In-home consult for $125(+GST). Bring your questions, your floorplan, and your rough ideas — we’ll tell you honestly what we can do together.