We have already seen together in a previous episode how to prepare yourself before the first interview with your technologist. Now you are ready to meet him, and you don't really know what awaits you next. So, I'm going to help you see things more clearly, because today, I'm talking to you about the 5 st
designing your construction or renovation plan.
Step 1: The first meeting with your technologist
During this first meeting, your technologist will discuss several important points regarding your project with you. To begin, he will ask you about your needs and ideas. He will inform you about the feasibility of your construction or renovation project. If things are impossible to achieve, he will then offer you alternatives regarding the layout of the rooms and the construction standards in force. It is also with him that you will check the regulations which govern your property, the zoning and the possibilities offered in terms of constructability. This interview is also very important to know the building survey and the orientation of the land and, if necessary, validate the prevailing winds and potential obstacles (for example: the nature of your soil). It will retrieve all the information necessary for the complete and detailed evaluation of the influencing factors (design, style, etc.). And, finally, you will see together if you will be able to carry out your project with your budget within the deadlines you want for both the plans and the work.
It is important to understand that the objective of the meeting is to establish, depending on the size and all the factors to be taken into account for your project, the number of ;hours necessary to carry out your plans.
And it is after this interview that we will send you a proposal for the design of your plans.
Step 2: Measurement survey and preliminary plans
If it is a renovation project, your technologist or designer will first contact you to make an appointment on site to take the measurements in order to create your preliminary plans.
Within 5 to 10 working days following approval of your proposal, your technologist will begin designing your preliminary plans which, depending on the scale of your project, can take up to 30 days to produce. Preliminary plans allow you to validate that your technologist has taken into account all the elements you discussed during your first interview and that he meets your expectations. But they are also used to make corrections if necessary, such as elements to add or remove in order to produce your final plans. Throughout the process, you can communicate by email with your technologist or schedule a meeting with him by videoconference if you consider it necessary.
Step 3: 3D Perspective
In order to reassure you and make informed choices, the 3D perspective is a significant ally. It allows a better understanding of your construction or renovation project as a whole, but it also makes it easier to read your plans. This is why this service is provided for all designs carried out by Plan Maison Québec. All you have to do is ask what you want to see; kitchen, bathroom, exterior cladding... and your designer will be able to make you a proposal in this regard. Everything to help you take better ownership of your project. As mentioned, a designer will also be able to help you choose different materials and colors in order to create a decor and a practical layout in line with your style and tastes. More than an aesthetic question, design is the expression of your identity and the response to various everyday needs.
4. Submission of final plans by your technologist
At this stage, your architectural technologist has all the information necessary to design plans for your construction or renovation project. Depending on the nature of your project, here is an example of the types of final plans that may be given to you:
The complete revision of the preliminary concept (the sketches),
complete and detailed construction plans,
plans of the existing house (if it is a renovation project),
insulation and waterproofing detail plans (wall section),
facade elevation plans,
floor plans,
the foundation plan
the roof plan.
In short, everything you need to obtain your building permit, your financing and which will allow your contractor to fully understand the project and therefore to make you an adequate financial proposal.
Our technologists produce clear, precise and detailed plans, which are in perfect compliance with the standards in force in terms of the building code.
5. After obtaining your final plans
After receiving your final plans, we advise you to use our independent estimating service to estimate the overall cost of construction or renovation, both in terms of labor, subcontractors and materials. This can be a stressful part if you are not prepared, and having an impartial construction estimator to advise you can help save you time and money. It will help you stay within your budget and avoid unforeseen events. Thereafter, you will be fully equipped to solicit construction contractors. You can obviously bid on the contractors of your choice or ask us if one of our partners is available, we will be happy to advise you on a professional suited to your project.
So there you have it, you now know the different stages of designing your construction plans. We hope these tips were able to help you. If you need more information, do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or on our website, we will be happy to answer you. And if you need to find inspiration for building, we offer a whole multitude of models that you just have to choose to adapt it to your desires. So, don’t wait any longer!
