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Things
to consider when purchasing renovations that require Architectural
Drawings and a Permit...
It is a common
practice for many contractors to
get a
homeowner to sign up a contract that includes
the
cost of future drawings, a structural engineering
stamp (if required), and the permit application. |
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Normally, a clause
protecting the contractor will be included in the contract that states the following:
(or something like it):
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“Price
shall be subject to adjustments due to any and all changes deemed
necessary by final architectural drawings, structural
engineering or unknown municipal permit requirements..”
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Translation: "You
(the homeowner) will sign my contract for “X” amount
of dollars. However, once the drawings are complete,
there may be changes or “extras” we need to do
(either deemed necessary by an architect, structural
engineer or the municipality itself) in order to successfully
obtain the permit.
And you (the homeowner) will have to pay for these extras, which will be
in addition to the contract price you are now agreeing
to." |
Even
contractors with the best of intentions may simply dismiss or minimize
such potential extras.
However, experienced and responsible contractors who
regularly perform structural work such as basement underpinning
(basement lowering),
and/or 2nd story
additions, rear extensions and other permit-related work certainly know better than to
casually dismiss such possible, unknown extras
in the absence of a proper set of architectural drawings to
work with in the first place.
Once
an architect or structural engineer inspects the property (after
you have already signed the contract) and then creates a valid set of
drawings, along with additional recommendations
(even with seemingly straightforward jobs such as basement
lowering), the final cost of that signed contract could
potentially rise by $10,000, $15,000, or even $20,000+.
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And by that
time... you
have already
"locked yourself in" to that particular contractor.
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Note:
If you are purchasing basement lowering or any other
structural modifications within the Toronto GTA, it is
more than likely your home is over 50-60 years old. By
virtue of their age, many these homes have existing
basements that may violate current structural building
codes.
For example, an architect and/or structural engineer
upon inspection may require an existing beam (which may have been in place since the home was built,
or added on by a "do-it-yourself" homeowner
during the depression era) to be replaced, added to
and/or re-positioned, .
When an architect or structural engineer examines such an
older property, he
or she will use extra care when examining
the overall structural integrity of the home, in order
to protect the safety of the homeowner as well as their
own personal accreditation, license and professional
liability insurance. |
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So, what's the bottom
line...?
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When
you buy your own set of drawings (whether through The Renovation
Co-op or through an independent architectural firm), you control the manner in which all contractors must give you an
estimate.
This places every contractor on an equal “playing field”,
where no one can simply state that the “price is subject to
final drawings.” |
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These are the final drawings that they all must quote
on…Period.
...And you own them!
As a fundamental part of our expanding business model throughout
the region, The Renovation Co-op continues to play a
contributing role in the standardization of the way business is
efficiently and professionally conducted between contractors
and homeowners.
Our Architectural Planning and Design Service simply brings to
the table one more professional “piece of the puzzle” for
both clients and our contractor-members. |
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Need
a price?
click Here
or call 416-367-8370 |
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