Permits.

A building permit is like having the assurance of your own personal secret service. 

It protects your best interests, guarantees the work to be done to code, and filters out contractors who may not be the right fit for you. 

As a contractor, we never take on work without going through the proper channels. It’s risky business, and we are in the business of eliminating risk for our clients. 

That said, permits cost time and money and so it’s important to know how to navigate the system well. 

  • When you need a permit

    1. Adding square footage 
    2. Adding new windows or doors 
    3. Converting an unfinished basement into extra rental income 
    4. Making structural changes to load and non-load bearing walls 
    5. Moving plumbing and/or electrical lines as part of a bathroom or kitchen remodel


    If your project requires permits, we can point you in the right direction if you’d like to handle the application process yourself. We can also take all the effort off your plate and manage everything on your behalf. 

  • When you don't need a permit

    1. Simple cosmetic renovations (painting, flooring, carpentry) 
    2. Not moving plumbing and/or electrical lines as part of a bathroom or kitchen renovation

Here’s how we can save you a fair amount of time:

  1. We’ll take the necessary site measurements 

  2. We’ll provide you with Architectural drawings and unlimited revisions 

  3. We’ll handle the Structural and HVAC drawings 

  4. We’ll submit the drawings to the city and manage any revisions 

  5. We’ll coordinate with the city to schedule site inspections

  6. We’ll close open permits at the end of the each project milestone   

  7. We’ll save all of these files to your private Client Folder and make them available to you in the cloud or as a hard copy  

FAQs

  • Wait times vary based on project scope, municipality, and governing authority. 

    • If you’re doing a small renovation with simple drawings, expect a lead time of 4-10 weeks.

    • If you’re planning a major remodel, plan for a lead time of 4-12 months.

  • This varies depending on the scope and type of work. Here's a general breakdown:

    By Square Footage (for larger renovations):

    • ~$5 - 10 per sq. ft. for projects requiring architectural drawings and structural engineering (e.g. legal basement apartments).

    • ~$2 - 4 per sq. ft. for renovations that only require ESA (electrical) and plumbing permits, with no structural changes.

    As a Fixed Cost (for kitchen and bathroom remodels):

    • $2,000–$3,000 for simple bathroom or kitchen renovations, covering both ESA and plumbing permits—depending on the scope of work. 

  • Think of permits as an insurance policy for a job well done. A handyman may do a good job today, but there’s no telling how that work will perform years later. It’s a risk some people are more comfortable taking than others.

    • Peace of mind. Absolute assurance knowing that the work behind the walls looks just as good as the finished surfaces. 

    • Selling your home. If a potential buyer or agent feels something is off, they may request to see the original drawings. It’s much harder and more expensive to apply for permits retroactively. 

    • No heat, water and electricity. Utility companies have the authority to shut off gas, water and electricity delivery if they discover unpermitted or unsafe work. 

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