250 – 915 – 7965
9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
info@impacthomedesign.ca
Responds within 24 Hours
2869 Canyon Park Place, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
250 – 915 – 7965
9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
info@impacthomedesign.ca
Responds within 24 Hours
2869 Canyon Park Place, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Let's talk details.
Consultation is free
Still have questions?
Read Our F.A.Q. or give us a call and we can answer any question you have.
The purpose of house plans is to properly convey every aspect of the project to the necessary parties for the purpose of building permit applicaton approval and ultimately, construction. The house plans give the resources needed to all the other professionals that will work on your project.
Building designers are the professionals that design houses and small buildings. Most single-family dwellings are designed by a building designer. There are limits to what a building designer can design that determines if an architect is needed.
Zoning regulations are bylaws from the city that add parameters on the project. They determine things like where you can build and how much space you can take up on the property, how high you can build, and other specifics. Zoning regulations are things that the building designer ensures your project conforms to during the design process.
Yes, floor plans are fun to make and there’s tons of different resources to help you. It’s important to keep in mind that laying out the floors does not mean the design is nearly done. The designer’s job is to make sure the floor plans work, both structurally and with proper space planning and flow patterns. Also, floor plans are a part of the whole design and work in tandem with the roof, elevations, grades, decks, stairs, other floors, and so on. It all needs to come together for a functioning design.
The design process is the process before the home plans are complete. This is where all the details of the design are determined. We start at near nothing, determine the client’s vision, get an initial draft completed and make necessary adjustments to the design until the client is satisfied with the design and ready to finalize them.
Our costs vary depending on the size of the project, the complexity of the design, and the services requested of us. We do not charge simply by square footage because it’s too generic and each project is unique. Quotes are based on each specific project. We are happy to meet with you for a free consultation and to learn more about your project to provide you with an accurate quote.
For the vast majority of projects, the answer is yes. With increases in regulation and liability, a building permit ensures the structure is designed and built adequately and correctly inspected. Without a building permit, how will the city or insurance companies know the Building Code was followed? The safest and most secure way to go about your project is to obtain necessary building permits.
The plans are one part of the package submitted to the city. Once the building permit application has been accepted, the package is distributed to several different departments for viewing. The departments will either make comments and requests for additional items, or they will pass the plans. Once the building permit application is approved, you are able to start construction.
Construction documents are the final product that the client is ordering. When the client is happy with the design, it is finalized and all the technical data for the project is added. Construction documents are what the city requires for building permit application, builders require for accurate estimates, engineers require for stamping, and all the other professionals require to perform their jobs accurately.
Architects are coordinating professionals. Not only do they design the vast majority of non-house buildings, they are essentially the manager of the several different professionals required for the construction of the building. In residential buildings, an architect is needed when the building is more than 4 dwelling units, is over 3 stories in height, or is larger than a certain footprint on the property.
Structural engineers specify and lay out the structure of the building. They take on any and all liability in regard to the structural integrity of the building. A good building designer will ensure the structural elements affecting the design are laid out so they doesn’t disturb the intent of the design. However, the structural engineer is the person ensuring the structural members and seismic bracings are adequate.
Surveyors survey the property and provide a drawing that accurately plots the lot, any buildings on the lot, the street, services, curbs, utility poles, etc. They also provide specific heights of the land, an important item for determining the height of the building. Land surveyors ensure the house is built where it is supposed to be built at time of construction and make sure heights are followed during construction.