Design-build solves a problem that the traditional architect-then-contractor model creates: the people who design the project are not the people who have to build it. We have walked into too many projects where the drawings looked beautiful and were impossible to permit, or impossible to build for the homeowner's budget, or required compromises that should have been priced before signing. Design-build collapses the loop. The designer, the project manager, and the trades all sit in the same room from week one, and the budget is a constraint at the design table — not a surprise at bid time.
What we handle under one contract
- Discovery meeting and goal-setting — at your home, in your space
- Layout development: 2–3 design directions with cost implications spelled out
- 3D visualization for finalists so you can walk the space before approving
- Architectural drawings stamped where required (additions, structural changes, commercial)
- Structural engineering for beam sizing, footings, and second-storey loads
- Permit applications and tracking with the borough or municipality
- Material and finish selections with our in-house designer
- Detailed line-item construction estimate, locked at signing
- Full construction execution with weekly client meetings
- Single point of contact and one project manager from estimate to walkthrough
- Warranty paperwork and post-occupancy follow-up at 30, 90, and 365 days
What it costs
Design-build construction in Montreal lands between $80,000 and $1,000,000+. A focused renovation (full kitchen and primary bath, with structural reconfiguration) starts around $80K. A whole-home renovation with mid-to-high-end finishes runs $300K–$750K. A custom home or major two-storey addition with high-end finishes runs $750K–$1.5M and above. Design fees are quoted separately and credited back into construction when the contract is signed.
How the schedule works
Design-build front-loads time into the design phase so construction runs without surprises. Typical timeline: 4–10 weeks design and selections, 4–8 weeks permits and ordering, 12–40+ weeks construction depending on scope. Total: 6–14 months. The compression versus design-bid-build comes from parallel work — we order long-lead items while the permit is in review, instead of sequentially.
When to choose design-build
- Whole-home renovation
- Additions and second-storey work
- Structural reconfiguration (load-bearing walls, beams, openings)
- Heritage building renovations where existing-conditions surprises are likely
- Any project where you want one accountable team from sketch to keys