PRE-DESIGN CHECK LIST
When initially embarking a renovation or new build, there are a few key things that you can do before getting started which will make your experience more enjoyable, minimize stress & often help save you money. Below we have shared our pre-design check list so you can enter the design process with confidence & understanding.
Reflect & Prioritize
The first thing you should do is reflect on your space and decide what you would like to do. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but having an idea of what you want to keep, what you like or don’t like, can help to save time and money when doing a renovation or new build. Think about how you want to use the space - what have you loved or hated about previous homes or spaces - and make some notes to share with your designer. Your designer will take this information and make recommendations or suggestions to maximize your space and ensure its’ design will support your needs.
Determine Your Budget
Taking the time to ensure you are comfortable with the amount you want to spend and working with a general contractor for budgeting purposes is highly recommended. It is important to let your designer know a clear budget as it will help them to select finishes that will achieve the preferred aesthetic without breaking the bank. Your designer can also help you determine what would be a realistic budget for your space and scope of work you envision. Costs of building and materials varies from location as well as other factors - such as a pandemic or labour costs - and can impact your budget substantially.
Get Inspired
Look at design examples on websites like Pinterest and Houzz. This is a great way to see what you gravitate towards and might inspire you to see what is possible. Everyone has different styles they prefer and looking at photos can help narrow down what aesthetic you consistently like. You can share these with your designer for inspiration and clarity, because sometimes a pictures express more than words.
Secure Your Contractor
Lining up a contractor before starting the design process is highly recommended. Securing your contractor will also help to determine if your budget is sufficient and establish a timeline. Many contractors book up ahead of time, so approaching a contractor before a designer can provide a clearer timeline as to when they can take on your project and thusly, when the designer needs to have the plans finalized.
Understanding Limitations & Restrictions
Restrictions are also something that should be considered before approaching a designer. Many areas and building have restrictions in place that need to be addressed before jumping into a design. Condos have strata guidelines and some houses have covenants that restrict what you can do to your home. Bylaws can also come into play if you want to change the size of your home or want to add a secondary building. If you are planning to change the size of your home, build a new home, or even extend your deck we highly recommend that you get a site survey before starting the design process. Surveys can at times take weeks to be done and are required for building permits when there is increased lot coverage. When requesting for a survey it’s important to get elevation data on the plan as well as the building placement and site dimensions.
Doing these steps may seem daunting, but this checklist will not only make the design process more efficient & less stressful, but can help ensure you get your dream design while staying on budget. We also recommend reaching out to your preferred designer as you start the design process as they may have additional requests or can help you out with the above steps.