Setting Your Building Goals

Embarking on a new build, expansion, or renovation, for a new home, office, store, or other commercial enterprise can seem to be a daunting prospect. Careful preparation can significantly reduce risks and increase your chances of success. Here are 5 important things to think about ahead of your first consultation:

1. Site Information: The address of your proposed site, ownership documents, plot plans, surveys, liens, easements, covenants, conditions & restrictions of your homeowners' association, any drawings of existing buildings, etc. We will review this information and advise you on any additional information or testing that may be needed.
2. Schedule of accommodation: The best way to get this done is to start by listing all the rooms/spaces you would like accommodated in the building and property. For each room/area include as much information as you such as how many people would be using that space and their requirements, and the furniture, equipment, machinery, or appliance that would need to be accommodated in that space. We will spend some time fine-tuning this with you.
3. Budget: Be upfront and realistic about the available financing for the project. Don't worry about whether the available funds are too little or too much for your project. We will figure that out during our preliminary assessment, and work with you to achieve your goals within your budget
4. Time: A building project can take anywhere from 6-months to a couple of years to complete. It has many components including completing the design, applying for the building permits, and the construction. Certain types of construction are faster than others. We will advise you of your options.
5. Sustainability: In today's environment, sustainability is more than a buzzword. Buildings have a life span of 30-50 years therefore, the decisions you make today should be made with careful consideration of the future impact of climate change on your building. Two key considerations you might think about include how much energy and water your building will consume, and what type of natural disasters your building would be prone to. A quick chat with your insurance agent might be a good idea.

Don't worry if you don't have all the answers before our first consultation. As long as you have considered these items, we will have a productive interaction that will put us on the path to success.