These are the questions that come up most across every stage of an Additional Dwelling Unit project – before you've committed to anything, during design and permitting, and once construction starts. For anything specific to a particular ADU type or Ottawa neighbourhood, the individual service and area pages go into more detail.
General questions
Do I need to already own the property to get a feasibility check?
No – we regularly review properties for buyers who are considering a home partly because of its ADU potential. We just need the address and, ideally, a survey or lot dimensions if you have them.
Do you offer permit-only or design-only service, without construction?
Yes. Design and permitting can be booked on their own if you plan to hire your own contractor or build some of it yourself. Design-build under one contract is simply the option most homeowners choose.
How is payment structured over the course of a project?
Payment is staged against project milestones – typically design completion, permit issuance, and defined construction phases – and is always set out in the written quote before work begins, not decided as the project goes.
Does HST apply to an ADU project, and is it included in your estimates?
Yes, HST applies to construction and design services in Ontario. Quotes and the online cost estimator show pre-tax figures unless stated otherwise – your written quote will show the tax-inclusive total.
Can construction happen through an Ottawa winter?
Interior work, including most basement apartment conversions, generally continues through winter. Exterior work on a detached unit – foundation and framing especially – is scheduled around the season, which is one of the things a realistic project timeline accounts for.
What if I already have architectural drawings from someone else?
We can review and build from drawings another designer prepared, provided they meet current Ontario Building Code and City of Ottawa zoning requirements – we'll tell you plainly if revisions are needed before permit filing.
Is there a minimum lot size to qualify for an ADU?
There's no single citywide minimum – it depends on your zone's lot coverage limit, required setbacks, and (for a coach house) Section 133 of the Zoning By-law. A feasibility review is the only reliable way to know what a specific lot supports.
Who do I contact once construction is underway if I have a question?
Your project lead – the same point of contact from the feasibility stage through final inspection. You are not routed between a design office and a separate construction crew.