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).
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.
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.
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.
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 safe to use but now a days is
a little light. But your costs could range from say approximately $50.00/SF to
$200.00/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 estimate can
be prepared by CADTech at an additional fee.
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.
