Interior Renovations Permits

How long it takes you to obtain an interior renovation permit depends on the scope of the project. Specifically, it depends on how long it takes to obtain the necessary drawings and how well they are done. In order to obtain an interior renovation permit, you need to have all the drawings done by an expert. That means you need a design consultant who can provide you with a complete set of drawings. 

Usually, homeowners will hire an architectural consultant to prepare the architectural drawings for them and not realize that their renovation requires additional changes to the internal systems (electrical, HVAC, plumbing and so on). If that happens, the entire process can take much longer than expected, because the homeowner now has to find the experts who can prepare these additional drawings for them. That’s why it’s so important to find a design consultant that provides a full set of drawings for all the internal changes that need to be made, not just one aspect of it. In addition, the professionals you hire must also know all the requirements and municipal by-laws that will ensure your interior renovation is done to code.  

After you submit your application, the amount of time it takes for your application to be approved will depend on how complete the drawing set is. On average, it takes about 2-4 weeks for the city to approve an interior renovation permit.

The city of Toronto offers the FASTRACK home renovation service for certain projects. Most homeowners take it for granted that their permit will be approved in 5 days, but this timeline depends greatly on the scope of the project. For example, if your interior renovation requires changes to the HVAC or plumbing system, that means that your application will have to be reviewed by different designated departments, and that you have to provide them with accurate drawings done to code. That’s why most projects take longer than 5 days.

There are a few ways to ensure your application is processed as soon as possible.

Start with finding the right design consultants. The right professionals will be able to provide you with a full set of drawings for your entire project. That means you should find someone who can prepare the architectural, structural, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and all other drawings in house. If your design consultant does only structural drawings, for example, you will have to look for other specialists to prepare other drawings in order to make your application complete, which will greatly affect the timeline of your project. 

The second thing you can do also relates to how good your design consultants are. Basically, look for someone who knows all the codes and regulations and, especially, someone who has the experience to see your project through by following the guidelines set forth by your municipality. Every municipality, within or outside the GTA, has its own set of regulations when it comes to interior renovations, and these guidelines can easily be overlooked if your drawings are not done by someone who knows them. 

Here at Acadia Drafting, we are committed to ensuring that your application is completed as soon as possible by providing a full set of drawings and applications for your project. We study the city by-laws and regulations before we even visit your site, so we know exactly which drawings you’ll need to prepare.

As mentioned earlier, how long it takes to approve an interior renovation permit varies from case to case. In general, what takes the most time to complete are the drawings themselves, if they are not done correctly the first time can create issues with the timeline. For example, if you submit an application with drawings that don’t follow the requirements and / or building codes, in one way or another, you will have to correct these mistakes and re-submit the application. Improperly done drawings usually take up most of the time, which is why it is so important that you hire a design consultant that has the knowledge and experience to prepare the correct drawings from start. At Acadia Drafting, we come to your site fully equipped with the experience, knowledge and confidence to give you an accurate estimate for your project, and we have the expertise to determine the scope of your project upon initial inspection.

The fastest and most efficient way to obtain an interior renovation permit is to prepare all the drawings and applications correctly for your entire project. The best way to ensure your drawings are accurate and that there are no additional fees along the way is to find an experienced design consultant. An experienced design consultants will:

• Determine the scope of your project only upon visiting your site. A thorough inspection will give your consultant enough insight into what changes you will need to make in your renovation, and what drawings you will need to prepare.
• Do all their drawings in house, which will eliminate your involvement and the headaches of having to go to different consultants for different aspects of your project (mechanical engineers, architects, structural engineers and others)
• Have the experience and knowledge to act in your best interest. In some cases, the city by-laws and regulations are not applicable for a specific type of building or lot. If this happens, your design consultant needs to act as your representative and make a strong case for you.

Yes. Every city in the GTA has slightly different requirements and rules, and not knowing these rules could potentially derail your project. Acadia Drafting provides professional drafting and design services for all cities inside or outside the Greater Toronto Area. What makes us unique is the fact that we provide you with a full set of drawings and applications that follow the requirements of your municipality, and we ensure better and faster service because we know how to interpret these laws correctly.

If you find the right design consultants, you won’t have to do anything related to the application process itself. Design professionals such as Acadia Drafting, who offer a complete set of design services in house, will prepare the drawings and your entire application and submit it on your behalf, so you can sit back and relax. We even provide construction management services, so you can avoid all the stress and headaches that come with interior renovations.

How much your interior renovation will cost depends on the extent of the changes you want to make. Are you moving the entire kitchen to a different spot or adding a second bathroom? In that case, you’ll probably need structural, HVAC, electrical and plumbing drawings. If you simply need to remove a wall, then you’ll probably only need structural drawings. The best thing you can do to minimize the costs is to hire an experienced consultant who will prepare ahead and will be able to determine the scope of your project and its requirements right after initial inspection.