FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What would you like to know?

ARCHITECT OR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST?

It is not always necessary to hire an Architect member of the Ordre des Architectes du Québec (OAQ) for the conception of your project’s plans, although it is true that the Architects act reserves certain types of buildings to architects, article 16.1 gives the right to architectural technologists to prepare plans for construction, enlargment, reconstruction, renovation or alteration of the following buildings:

Detached single-family dwelling;
semi-detached or attached single-family dwelling unit, a multi-family dwelling that contains no more than four units, a mercantile occupancy, business occupancy, industrial occupancy or a combination of such dwellings or occupancies that is not more than two storeys and not more than 300 square metres in gross area after the work is completed and has a single basement level.

As well as the alteration or renovation of the interior layout of any building or part of a building that will not change its occupancy or affect structural integrity, walls or firewalls, exits or access to exits or exterior cladding.

If your project falls into one of the categories listed above, it is often much less expensive to do business with an architectural technologist rather than an architect.

Architectural technologists using the initials P.T. (Professional Techlogist) or A.Sc.T (Applied Sciences Technologist) are members of the Ordre des Technologues Professionels du Québec (OTPQ). While its membership is not required, the seal of a P.T. is required by many municipalities and demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to following strict ethical standards and taking responsibility for the work for which they are trained.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

This question is difficult to answer because the process includes both the conceptualization by our team as well as the exchange with the customer, our recommendations and waiting for answers from customers which sometimes have to be thought through and simmered, for a few days or even weeks. Generally speaking, there is a two-week timeframe for the preliminary plans, one to two weeks for subsequent revisions and another one to two weeks for the construction plans depending on our timelines and workload at that moment.

That said, we do everything we can to meet our customers’ needs and can adjust our deadlines accordingly. However, it is recommended that you contact us as soon as possible to ensure you get your plans on time.

HOW MUCH DOES A PLAN COST?

This question is almost impossible to answer without knowing the specific complexities of your project. The price varies greatly depending on several factors including the scale of the project, its’ complexities as well as the construction methods envisaged.

You will understand that a renovation project that requires a complete survey of the existing building will take more time to carry out than an identical project for which the owner already has in hand the construction plans of his house for example.

This is why our team offers you a first consultation meeting for free, in order to fully understand your needs and your project, we will then submit a service offer by email for approval.

To guide you a little, you can usually expect up to 1-2% of the construction value for the blueprint design service.

HOW TO OBTAIN A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT?

You must refer to the competent authority in your region, usually the planning department of your municipality, to ask what documents must be provided with your building permit application. It is important to note that laws and regulations vary from one municipality to another and from one sector to another. Normally, you will, at the very least, need construction plans sealed by an Architect or a Professional Technologist (depending on the case) and a site plan.

Our team will be able to give you contacts for the various professionals you may need (land surveyor, technologist for septic installation studies, soil test and drainage plan, etc.).

You have more questions? We will be happy to answer them.