During the design phase a number of things should be done/considered by the client:

Existing Property Land Survey by OLS

If you do not have an existing property survey (with your property lines shown and house location) then a proper Survey should be acquired from a registered OLS (Ontario Land Surveyor) by the owner. If your land is not more or less level you should consider getting the grade heights (datum levels) put on your survey by your OLS also. If there is exterior work or additions to an existing property the city will require a copy of your legal survey. They may have one in their archives. Depending. This is very important for determining setbacks, maximum coverage of the site and so on. Things like existing underground pipes, and hydro lines are also very important considerations.

Most people purchase a property with a survey of some type given as part of the title. Check your records. It’s amazing how many people have never actually kept their original survey, MLS contract, and so on. MPAC statements are also important.

Soils Test

A soils test should be done as required. Failure of a foundation to support a building because of bad soils determined after construction has begun or long after it ended without consent or refusal of the client to pay for a soils test before hand would not be the fault of the designer or engineer, and/or possibly the contractor. Most designs would assume basic minimum soils conditions as required by code.

This is a client item to pay for and would be a separate contractor the client hires, which is not related to the construction contractor or the designer. If your area is suspect to bad soils it is a good idea. I have had clients, and myself, obtain soils test for around $500 depending on whom you use.

Existing/New Grading and Drainage Design

On certain projects a Civil Engineer may need to be hired. This depends on your location, design desired, and complexity

Site Services Design

Existing site service should be recorded and new services types, locations, and path runs determined where they may be required for a site. This would be related to the above topic.

Septic System (where required)

This is only an item to consider for projects in a rural setting where their is no municipal underground drainage away from your property. We have successfully taken a course in designing Waterloo Biofilter Septic Systems and are familiar with the codes on other systems, but we are not certified Septic System designers. But placement and sizes of these systems and well locations can have huge effects on site design, house size, configuration and overall complete design.

Preliminary Zoning Review

A Preliminary review to insure Zoning approval before Permit Application is a very good idea and will save you time during the permit process. This is a service provided by CADTech | Churchill Design.

Budget & Construction Costs

A cost analysis or quotations should be gathered. This can be done by submitting the drawings to a number of contractors for ball park prices during the design stage.

For your rough estimate, without a contractor quote, a round number of $100.00/SF is the bare minimum to use, but now a days is a little light. But your costs could range from say approximately $50.00/SF to $250.00/SF, or more. Prices will vary depending on finishes and how grand your tastes and what you plan to include in your final materials and fixtures of construction, the design, and the type of contractor of course.

For example are you including carpets, light fixtures, faucets, door hardware, trim, flooring, appliances, paint, etc. in your final construction budget? If so what level of kitchen sink faucet would you say you are planning to select? Are you considering landscaping in your budget? The price range of items in your home renovation, or addition can vary a fair bit in price & quality.

A construction budget/cost analysis estimate can be prepared by CADTech | Churchill Design at an additional fee. We can also review contractors quotes, and billings. See our Services and Fees sections.

Design & Permit Fees

A client needs to consider these fees in their overall budget. Fees will vary depending on what’s required. See the link on Fees.