FAQ
These are the questions clients ask us most often. If you need more information, send us your question using the form below.
Before You Start
How early should I contact IK before I want construction to begin?
For a major renovation, contacting us approximately 3 to 6 months before your preferred construction start gives time for site review, planning, design decisions, budgeting and permits where required. For a substantial addition or new custom home, beginning the conversation 6 to 12 months in advance is more realistic because design, engineering, approvals and pre-construction work can take several months before construction starts.
Do I need architectural drawings before contacting IK?
No. You can contact us with an idea, sketches, photographs or an existing set of drawings. We can review what you are trying to accomplish and help determine what level of design, engineering or other professional work will be required before construction.
What information should I have ready for the first conversation?
The most useful information is the property location, what you would like to change or build, your approximate budget, your preferred timing and any existing drawings or photographs. You do not need to have every finish or design detail decided.
Can you tell me whether my idea is feasible before I invest in a complete design?
In many cases, yes. A preliminary review can identify obvious issues involving the existing structure, available space, access, zoning or servicing. More complex structural or zoning questions may require drawings, engineering or additional investigation before feasibility can be confirmed.
How do I decide whether I should renovate, build an addition or build a new home?
The decision normally comes down to how much of the existing house works for you, how much additional space you need, the condition of the structure and building systems, what the property can accommodate and the available budget. A substantial renovation can make sense when the basic house and location are worth keeping. An addition is appropriate when more space is required. New construction may be preferable when the existing structure would require such extensive alteration that preserving it provides little practical advantage.
Estimates, Budget and Materials
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes. A preliminary estimate may be developed from an initial conversation, drawings, photographs, video or a site visit, depending on the project. Large or technically complex projects may require additional investigation or professional consultation before a sufficiently detailed estimate can be prepared. If a paid consultation, specialist assessment or additional site visit is required, the cost is discussed with the client in advance.
How accurate is a preliminary estimate?
A preliminary estimate is intended to establish whether the proposed project and budget are reasonably aligned. The project becomes much more accurately priced once the scope, drawings, material selections and responsibilities have been defined. These details are then reflected in the project Statement of Work rather than relying on an early approximate number.
How much should I expect to spend on a major whole-home renovation in Ottawa?
As a planning benchmark, substantial whole-home renovations in Ottawa commonly fall somewhere around $150,000 to $400,000 or more. Extensive structural changes, major mechanical upgrades and higher-end finishes can take the project beyond that range. This is a general market planning range rather than an IK quotation.
What is a realistic budget for a home addition in Ottawa?
For substantial additions, approximately $300 to $500 or more per square foot is a useful planning range. A second-storey addition, complicated structural work, difficult site access, kitchens or bathrooms within the addition and premium finishes can push the cost higher.
What does it cost to build a custom home in Ottawa?
For planning purposes, custom-home construction in Ottawa can be roughly $300 to $650 or more per square foot, excluding land. A 2,500-square-foot custom home could therefore represent approximately $750,000 to $1.6 million or more in construction, depending on design, finishes, site conditions and what is included in the construction price. This is an Ottawa market benchmark rather than IK pricing.
Who purchases the construction and finishing materials?
The responsibility can be shared depending on the project. IK normally manages construction materials required for the work, while clients may select and purchase certain finishing materials. IK can also manage more or all of the purchasing when agreed in advance. The purchasing responsibilities are identified in the Statement of Work so there is no uncertainty about ordering, delivery or responsibility for shortages and damaged materials.
Do my finish selections affect the construction schedule?
Yes, sometimes substantially. Standard readily available materials usually have little effect on timing, while custom cabinetry, millwork, specialty windows and doors, stone, imported products and made-to-order fixtures can add several weeks to the schedule. Custom cabinetry alone can require approximately 8 to 10 weeks or longer between final measurements, production and delivery. Important selections should therefore be made early enough to avoid holding up construction.
Can I change materials or finishes after construction starts?
Yes, provided the change is still practical at that stage. We first determine whether the requested change affects work already completed, materials already ordered, labour, engineering or sequencing. Any resulting cost or schedule change is documented before the revised work proceeds.
Permits and Technical Questions
I am planning a home renovation. Do I need a building permit?
Not every renovation requires one. Cosmetic work normally differs from projects involving additions, structural alterations, significant changes to building systems or new construction. For work requiring a permit, construction cannot legally begin until the permit has been issued.
What does the building-permit process involve?
The required drawings and technical documents are prepared first. Depending on the project, this can involve architectural or building-design drawings, structural engineering and other supporting information. The application is then submitted to the City, reviewed for zoning and Building Code compliance and revised if the City identifies deficiencies. Once the permit is issued, required inspections take place at specified stages of construction.
How long does it take to obtain a building permit in Ottawa?
For a complete application for a house, the City of Ottawa currently has a target of 10 business days for the first review. That is not the same as a guaranteed 10-day permit. If the City requests changes, additional documents or other approvals, the application remains in review until those issues are resolved.
Who is responsible for obtaining the permit?
It can be IK or the client depending on the project agreement. When IK is responsible, we coordinate the applicable drawings, consultants, submission requirements and permit process. Responsibility is established before construction and recorded in the Statement of Work.
Project Timelines
How long does a complete renovation of a two-storey house take?
For the type of substantial whole-home renovations IK undertakes, approximately 6 to 12 months is a reasonable overall planning range. Extensive structural changes, major mechanical replacement, custom finishes or unexpected conditions can extend the project.
How long does a major home addition take?
A useful planning range is approximately 8 to 14 months from pre-construction through completion. The actual on-site construction portion is often around 4 to 8 months, with the remaining time used for design, engineering, permits and preparation.
How long does it realistically take to build a new custom home?
For a typical custom home in Ottawa, planning on approximately 12 to 18 months from design to occupancy is reasonable. Active construction may take around 8 to 12 months after the project is designed and approved. More complicated infill projects, difficult lots or highly customized homes can extend the overall process toward 18 to 24 months.
Can I stay in my house during a major renovation?
Sometimes. If construction can be isolated from the occupied part of the house and essential services remain available, clients may be able to stay for some or all of the project. Whole-home renovations, second-storey work and projects requiring extended shutdowns of plumbing, electrical, heating or access commonly require temporary relocation for at least part of construction.
What are the most common causes of construction delays?
Client-requested scope changes, late finish selections, long-lead materials, concealed conditions discovered after demolition, permit or inspection issues and work that depends on weather can all affect the schedule. Many of these delays can be reduced by completing design decisions and major material selections before the relevant construction stage begins.
During Construction
What happens if you discover a problem after opening a wall or floor?
We document the condition and determine whether the affected work can continue safely. The client is informed of what was discovered, the available options and any effect on the budget or schedule. Work outside the agreed scope is not simply added without addressing it through the project change process.
Can the layout of my home be changed significantly without building an addition?
Often, yes. An inefficient kitchen, closed-off main floor or poorly used rooms can sometimes be substantially improved by changing openings, relocating walls, reorganizing circulation and storage or combining spaces. Before removing a wall, we determine whether it is load-bearing and whether structural engineering, electrical, plumbing or HVAC changes will be required.
How is the project managed day to day?
IK coordinates crews, scheduling, materials, technical information and site requirements throughout construction. Site management oversees progress, workmanship and safety, while the client has a defined contact for project communication. Quality checks continue throughout construction rather than being left only to the final walkthrough.
What happens at the end of the project?
Once construction is substantially complete, IK and the client conduct a final walkthrough. Outstanding items are documented and addressed, the site is cleaned and project requirements are checked against the agreed Statement of Work. Formal sign-off takes place once the agreed work and closeout requirements have been completed.
What warranty applies to my project?
For renovation work, the applicable workmanship warranty is stated in the contract. IK’s current renovation warranty is one year. For qualifying new homes in Ontario, statutory warranty protection may extend for up to seven years, with different protections applying during the one-year, two-year and seven-year periods.
Planning a major renovation, home addition, new construction or commercial project? Send us a brief description, and our team will review it and contact you to discuss the next steps.
Phone
+1 613-519-0684
Working hours
Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
