FAQ - Lorne Rose

What should I look for in a residential architect?

When you hire a residential architect, you are hiring someone who will shape the place you call home. For this reason, it’s important to hire someone whose work you love and whose character you respect. As you go through the process of contacting and interviewing candidates, there are a few things you should assess for fit when deciding which residential architect is right for you: assess their history, experience and capability; assess their imagination and innovation; assess their design approach, project management and methodology; assess their reputation and referrals; assess their communication and rapport.

Read more about what to look for in a residential architect.

What are the top questions I should ask before a residential architecture project?

Before a homeowner undertakes a residential architecture project, they’re naturally going to have a few questions and concerns. The following ones are the most common questions that Lorne Rose Architect is asked before beginning a project. Getting answers to these questions before engaging an architect will be valuable to just about every homeowner: How much should my new home cost? How long should my home-building project take? What is your availability? What are the steps of a home-building project?

Should I do a major renovation or a new home build?

Although you will be the ultimate judge whether a major renovation or a new build is the best approach for you and your situation, a residential architect like Lorne Rose Architect can guide you in reaching this judgement. There are numerous factors to consider before arriving at your decision. For example, on the one hand, you may be benefitting from a grandfather clause that grants your older home certain features that would not be permitted in a new build. On the other hand, a new home will allow you to ‘greenfield’ your project, meaning you and your architect will be free to think outside of the box and be unbound by the constraints of prior work. Work with your residential architect to define what are the priorities for you and your residential architecture project, and make a decision with all the facts at your disposal.

How do I keep my neighbours happy during a home building project?

If you are considering, researching or preparing a residential architecture project, these following steps are things you can do to be a model neighbour: Communication: inform your neighbours about your building project; Honesty: provide correct and complete information; Empathy: think of your neighbour’s needs; Availability: provide contact info and respond promptly; Helpfulness: solve your neighbour’s issues with your project for them; Gratitude: thank your neighbours for their patience and understanding.

Read a detailed description of how to keep your neighbours happy during a home building or renovation project.

What if my neighbours object to my residential architecture plans?

If one of your neighbours objects to the designs of your residential architecture project, Lorne Rose’s recommendation is to look for a compromise with the neighbour. Lorne often represents his clients in these conversations and will resolutely defend his client’s interests. If compromise seems unlikely or impossible, you should take advantage of your rights as a homeowner. As a Toronto resident, you should understand the process of going before the Committee of Adjustment and the associated costs and timeframes, as well as the strength of your case (or the weakness or illegitimacy of your neighbour’s complaint) before going before the panel. As noted, compromise is often preferable to undergoing the COA and appeals processes, but if compromise is impossible, then develop an understanding of how to defend your rights as a homeowner. Lorne Rose is able to guide and defend you through every step of this process.

What to look for in a general contractor?

Different contractors from Lorne’s extensive network are going to be better or worse fits for your project depending on which of the following variables—cost, quality, or speed—is most important to you. For this reason, it’s incumbent on any residential architect to work with you, the client, to determine what matters most to you at the start of the project. If you want to keep costs down, then Lorne will suggest a contractor who is more affordable; if you’re in a hurry, then Lorne would suggest another whom he knows is available to begin the job right away and complete it quickly.

Read more about what to look for in a general contractor.

What is the building permits process in Toronto?

All major residential architecture projects in Toronto require a building permit. Despite the fact that these permits are so frequently required, the process of applying for and obtaining them remains difficult and frustrating for anyone not accustomed to it, and time-consuming even to those who are. Hiring an experienced residential architect like Lorne Rose allows you to offload these burdens onto the architect. The itemized list of Lorne’s process is: obtain a topographic survey and arborist report; review the zoning information; develop a design and submit it to the zoning review; go through the approvals process; prepare the construction documents; deal with challenges, if any; begin construction. When you work with Lorne Rose, he will keep you apprised of the building permits process, but will spare you having to take care of the labour yourself.

Read a more detailed description of the building permits process in Toronto.

How will architectural control and heritage impact my project?

Many buildings in Toronto are protected as heritage buildings, as are several entire neighbourhoods. If your own property is designated as heritage, you’ll be required to navigate a complex sea of regulations when planning any renovations or modifications to it. These regulations exist to ensure that the character of your home or your community remains relatively intact following any architectural work done to it. If you’re planning a renovation or building project on a Toronto home, you’ll want to start by establishing whether your property is or isn’t already protected for reasons of heritage. If it is, you will require a Heritage Impact Statement once the designs of your residential architecture project have been drafted. If you hire Lorne Rose, he will engage in any negotiations that arise with the City to get your project approved while preserving the historical character of the property.

Read more about architectural control and heritage in Toronto.

What should I know if my house is on a Toronto ravine, bluff or lakefront property?

Homes built on ravines, bluffs and lakefront properties are fragile; homeowners of these houses are obliged to pay special attention to the steps required to preserve their integrity for current and future property owners. Here are some areas of concern: Erosion: an experienced residential architect can help you slow or manage the erosion process; Keeping property clean: yard waste and household garbage can damage the vegetation and lead to landslides, so keep your property clean; Do not disturb vegetation along slope edges: the soil of a slope is mostly held together by the system of roots beneath it, so ensure the good health of these roots and do not remove stumps if doing so would disturb the root system; Divert water away from slopes: water will accelerate erosion if it is permitted to flow down the slopes of your land, so divert it away from these slopes.

What happens if I lose my hearing at the Committee of Adjustment?

If you lose your hearing at the Committee of Adjustment, you will have the opportunity to appeal the decision with the OMB. However, once an OMB hearing is underway, you are committed to spending the cost of the hearing—an amount starting in the neighbourhood of $15,000. Finding a compromise with the complainant will save you time, money and effort, and can often be done without drastically altering the plans for your dream home.