Renovations and build projects are different in delivery methods. Typical renovation and construction contractors work based on provided drawings from architect hired directly by home owner. ALBO Renovation design and build company provides services from suggesting budget for upgrades with necessary permits for work to completion of work including inspections from city officials. Almost any renovation project can be designed and build, but we specialize in full home renovations, home additions and custom home construction.
Many houses in Toronto are adding space by extension at the back or second storey addition on top of existing bungalow. We can suggest best possible option to make your home expend and look brand new with extension of ducts, plumbing pipes and electrical upgrades.
With many houses being out-dated with finishes to be upgraded, ALBO Renovation comes in to design and build for home owners who cannot build new home. Our project managers will lead the entire process of documentation, material purchasing and best quality finishes for your project.
The toughest project to design and complete is building new house in Toronto. We provide full drafting services as well as research for zoning and bylaws. Each lot has allowable limits for construction and ALBO Renovations will work to match your needs with maximum limits.
1. Zoning Research |
Every part of city has specific limits of how to build a house. These boundaries dictate construction and what will be allowed to construct on your specific lot.
Team of architects start with research of zoning restrictions every time there is a new design build project. Zoning limits are not the same for the entire city and can differ even within the street boundaries. |
2. Wish List |
To start design we need to get ideas from clients. Wish list is typically a summary of what you desire in a new home. Unfortunately what you want may not be always possible based on zoning restrictions, but our architects will try their best.
For example designers and architects before making a plan want to know number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of garage, ideas for basement, exterior finish materials and basic thoughts on design with examples. |
3. Survey Drawings |
Each lot in Ontario has legal boundaries that are confirmed on land survey drawings. Knowing exact size of lot, architects use limitations and show new projects to city as required.
In other words city officials, who provide building permit need assurance of exact sizes for construction lot. Given exact sizes it is possible to calculate percentage and limits for lot coverage and maximum construction. |
4. Floor Plan |
Now that we have limits and ideas from clients – floor plan starts to appear. The idea is to make entire space more convenient specifically for client. With wish list and additional thoughts we ask several questions and start drafting.
Some of us prefer larger bedrooms and smaller hallways, while others want to maximize common areas and don’t need additional closet space. Some need large kitchen spaces, and others don’t even cook and are fine with smaller counter space. |
5. Design & Elevation |
Next we move on to designing exterior of the house. Selected materials and accents are applied on drawings from elevation point of view. Windows are shown specifically with preferred sizes and shape.
The hardest work of designer is to combine exterior design, windows and interior floor plan together into complete project that satisfies client. Some corrections are normally made to floor plan to design exterior with organically looking windows. |
6. 3D Rendering |
To go extra mile ALBO Homes offers 3d rendering of the house. After all, design build projects in Toronto have to provide clear understanding of how every corner of the house will look like.
Exterior image of new house with details can be enough for some home owners, when others want to see it in 3d rendering. For interior – almost everyone wants to visualize kitchen, dining, common areas and master bedroom space with help of our designers. |
For allowing construction of residential home in Ontario, city officials may require additional documents. It can be for protection of nearby river or lake, arborist report with tree protection plan, designation substance report of existing home that will be demolished.
ALBO Homes takes care of all necessary documents and follows up with building department to make entire process as smooth as possible for our clients.
Construction and renovation process changes in years and becomes more clients oriented. Original methods of home additions and construction projects started from home owners looking for designs and different options. After they would contact architect with engineers to find out their ideas are great but hardly achievable within preferred budgets. The problem always came up between different parties trying to please the home owner. Designers would always create the most unique and modern options for finishes and layouts for the project. Home owner is happy with design and pays designer company for completed work. The next step is architect that has bad news of possible high costs. Drawings are completed for city compliance and get stamped with structural engineer. Set of drawings and obtained permits are handed to general contractor, who shakes head and tells home owner that selected material don’t work together and architects have to change drawings because of existing flaws in structure.
Large renovation projects require constant communication between engineers, designers and workers. To save time and hassle builder companies had to evolve and include all services that involve preconstruction stage of the project with ongoing interaction with workers and designers. Design build concept became more popular with larger projects, because ALBO Renovations can now manage and change details of work without going to third parties that work directly for home owner. By having in-house team, we are able to save time in development of step to step plan for work as well as avoid critical errors during the project. Design and build method of progression and delivery for construction projects is the most preferred option for home owners in Toronto. See examples of our completed projects or call us to discuss how your home can be upgraded.
Concept Design |
When we first meet, the conversation typically starts with your wish list for the job and ideas that inspire your vision. ALBO Renovation starts measuring and drafting your existing home to understand what can be done within the space. Our designer drafts first concept design with floor plan for home owners’ approval. With all details in mind we can create full scope of work and discuss prices. |
Budgeting and Proposal |
At this point design build project manager sits down with home owner to discuss the minimum costs for the project with preferred budgets for finishing materials. In situation where amount of work does not match budget, our team helps to adjust costs or workload. Most home owners don’t know market prices for finishes, and our manager explains what materials can be used with ALBO company discounts. |
Architectural Drawings |
After signing design build contract for your project, ALBO architects start preparing drawings for construction or home addition. With major structural changes or home extensions structural engineer needs to calculate and approve supports with loads. We also create new plan for changing our upgrading HVAC duct system for heat supply and return for planned construction. |
Permits and Reports |
With ALBO Renovations home owners don’t need to worry about application for permits or any other reports for construction purposes. Project manager makes list of reports and permits required specifically for your project and takes care of it before construction starts. It may include building permit, demolition permit, arborist report, and environmental report and land survey. |
Construction and Renovation |
Preparation with completed scope of work and good design team makes construction process easier and faster. Project manager prepares work flow schedule and step by step completion while permits are being obtained from the city. Purchases of materials will be made prior to work and deliveries aligned with upcoming stage of the project. All required inspections completed with licensed professionals. |
Post Construction |
On the day construction process is completed our design build process does not stop. Final completion inspection is scheduled with city official to close the permits and with home owner to confirm the work. ALBO Renovations issue owner occupancy and warranties for the project. We explain how mechanicals of the house work with instructions for maintenance. Contract is complete and you enjoy new home. |
Our team has listed most popular questions for design and build team from our past clients. Our main priority is to satisfy all needs and complete wish list for every home owner we work with. For detailed estimate and exact process for your project please contact one of our representatives.
The length of design build process depends on several factors. First and far most important step in renovation is for home owner to know what they want to achieve with our company. Design stage can stretch from several weeks to many months. Other components that affect time are size of the project and complexity for construction. By understanding your vision we will create schedules for completion.
Many home owners think that there is magical cost per square foot that applies to all renovation and build projects. In reality every project is very unique and quoted based on your specific need or exact budget. First we provide quotation for initial design with floor plan and after understand full scope of work ALBO Renovation project manager sends proposal with managing entire job with permits.
The method of Design Build Company eliminates the need to constantly communicate between general contractor and architect. Working with one company to take care of absolutely everything save you time and money. At the stage of selecting materials we provide list of our trusted suppliers with company discounts for your project. As example for materials like tiles and paint our discounts are 30% – 40%.
The whole point of design build method for renovation projects is to eliminate most of the problems that arise during construction. The most common delays come from situations where home owners cannot agree between themselves on concept and ask for endless revisions on floor plans and finishes. Other issues come from exceeding zoning limits or getting design ideas from unrealistic 3d images.
