Building or renovating a home, rental suite, or multiplex is a huge and exciting undertaking. It is also our specialty. Our expertise in residential and mixed-use projects encompasses excellent design, collaborative client experience, and organized, well-executed project management.
THE SOLARES EXPERIENCE
We approach every project with curiosity and focus. We will work with you to achieve your goals, always respecting your time and budget, and providing guidance for all the decisions a project requires. We take the pressure off by coordinating all consultants and municipal authorities, and we produce exceptional final documents for a smooth construction process by your chosen builder.
Our projects progress in five Core Service phases, with four additional Optional Services. We take full responsibility for managing the process. Our ability to keep things streamlined and organized helps us provide the highest quality of design and service – and helps you feel on track and in control.
CORE SERVICE
Pre-Design
Kicking off the project, we seek to understand your goals with discussions around lifestyle, budget, and design tastes. We review your property and the surrounding landscape, and for renovations we measure the existing home. We research municipal regulations such as zoning, conservation and heritage.
Kicking off the project, we seek to understand your goals with discussions around lifestyle, budget, and design tastes. We review your property and the surrounding landscape, and for renovations we measure the existing home. We research municipal regulations such as zoning, conservation and heritage.
Schematic Design
Informed by your goals and an agreed-upon budget, we develop at least three unique concept designs for review. After two or three rounds of revisions, the Schematic Design phase ends with one chosen conceptual design: your favourite.
Design Development
We collaboratively develop the chosen concept into the final building design. We guide you through all decisions with multiple design meetings together. We finalize the floor plans and exterior look of the home; design the structure, building envelope, interiors, lighting, and electrical systems; and determine the structural and mechanical systems. By the end of this phase, all products, materials and finishes are selected.
We collaboratively develop the chosen concept into the final building design. We guide you through all decisions with multiple design meetings together. We finalize the floor plans and exterior look of the home; design the structure, building envelope, interiors, lighting, and electrical systems; and determine the structural and mechanical systems. By the end of this phase, all products, materials and finishes are selected.
Construction Documents
We produce all construction drawings and details and coordinate all required consultants, such as structural and mechanical engineers. Our construction document packages consistently receive high praise from builders, as our detailed work enables them to construct the project with speed and clarity.
Pre-Approvals & Permitting
We obtain all necessary pre-approvals, building permits, and any other required final approvals. We liaise with your municipality, coordinate applications, and conduct follow-ups when officials are moving slowly.
We obtain all necessary pre-approvals, building permits, and any other required final approvals. We liaise with your municipality, coordinate applications, and conduct follow-ups when officials are moving slowly.
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Pre-Construction
This optional service lays the groundwork for construction. We help you coordinate the procurement process and select a builder. Once selected, we can assist with price negotiation, contract preparation and work with your chosen builder to finalize the scope, budget, and schedule. When required, we reduce the contract price through Value Engineering.
This optional service lays the groundwork for construction. We help you coordinate the procurement process and select a builder. Once selected, we can assist with price negotiation, contract preparation and work with your chosen builder to finalize the scope, budget, and schedule. When required, we reduce the contract price through Value Engineering.
Construction Administration
This is when the building becomes a reality. If you opt for our full CA service, we liaise with your builder, conduct regular site reviews, and answer all questions that arise. We certify all payments and administer any necessary changes or modifications to the design. We ensure that the work is completed to Substantial Performance and coordinate the completion of deficiencies. If you choose to manage construction yourself, we are still available to help you on an as-needed basis.
This is when the building becomes a reality. If you opt for our full CA service, we liaise with your builder, conduct regular site reviews, and answer all questions that arise. We certify all payments and administer any necessary changes or modifications to the design. We ensure that the work is completed to Substantial Performance and coordinate the completion of deficiencies. If you choose to manage construction yourself, we are still available to help you on an as-needed basis.
Interior Design
We help you select the interior finishes and fixtures for your home, including tiles, countertops, paint, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and more. We bring our knowledge and contacts to help you find the best products that match your taste and your budget.
We help you select the interior finishes and fixtures for your home, including tiles, countertops, paint, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and more. We bring our knowledge and contacts to help you find the best products that match your taste and your budget.
Landscape Design
We design the layout, grading, special features, pathways, and motifs for your gardens and natural zones based on soil conditions, light, seasons, and usage. We also create a planting plan and source plants from nurseries specializing in native plants.
We design the layout, grading, special features, pathways, and motifs for your gardens and natural zones based on soil conditions, light, seasons, and usage. We also create a planting plan and source plants from nurseries specializing in native plants.