Getting the Plan Right Saves You Money. Every Time.
Most problems in a custom home build trace back to decisions that weren’t made clearly before construction started. The design and planning phase is where we prevent those problems. We work through your floor plan carefully, help you make finish selections with full cost visibility, and make sure everything is resolved on paper before it has to be resolved on site.
What’s Included
The design and planning process covers everything between your first idea and a signed, permit-ready set of drawings:
- Initial design consultation and lifestyle discussion
- Preliminary floor plan layout and review
- Floor plan revisions until the layout is right
- Architectural drawings for permit submission
- Engineered structural drawings
- Electrical plan review: lighting, panel location, pot lights, EV rough-in
- Full finish selections: flooring, tile, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures
- Exterior design direction: cladding, roofline, window placement
- Budget reconciliation throughout — so you know what each decision costs
Why it matters in Edmonton
Edmonton lot conditions vary more than most people expect. Lot orientation affects natural light and passive solar gain — relevant in a city where heating costs are real. Lot width in new communities often runs 32 to 40 feet, which creates specific constraints on garage placement, ceiling spans, and staircase location. Getting the floor plan right for the lot is the design challenge most buyers don’t anticipate.
Cabinet lead times run 8 to 12 weeks from most Edmonton-area suppliers. Window orders can take similar time. That means selections need to be locked in well before the frame goes up — not during construction. We build the selection schedule into our process specifically to avoid the delays that come from indecision at the wrong moment.
The planning phase is also where we factor in mechanical requirements that are specific to Alberta: HRV systems, furnace sizing for -30 winters, and insulation specs above the code minimum. These decisions don’t show up in photos, but they’re what separates a comfortable home from one that’s expensive to heat.
Our Process
Lifestyle Consultation
Floor Plan Development
Selections & Budget Reconciliation
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A lot of clients come in with plans they’ve found or had drawn elsewhere. We review them, flag anything that doesn’t work for the lot or the budget, and adapt from there.
For most builds, four to eight weeks from first consultation to a permit-ready drawing set. More complex designs or significant revisions take longer.
Most of them, yes. Long-lead items like cabinets and windows need to be ordered well before the frame goes up. We help you prioritize what needs to be decided first.
Design changes before permits are submitted cost time but not much money. Changes after construction begins are more expensive — which is why we take the planning phase seriously.