The lesser-known and less costly alternative to an architect
One of the first calls people make before undertaking an addition or major renovation to their home is often to an architect, possibly unaware there is a less-costly alternative.
That’s what Mike and Leah Leon did when they set out to plan their twostorey addition, before the designer they hired suggested using an architectural technologist instead.
“Very few people know we exist,” says Richard De Oliveira, of Re:Placement Design Inc., who was hired as consultant on the Leons’ addition.
“You don’t always have to go with an architect.”
Since architectural technologists can be registered through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and may hold professional liability insurance, they can arrange all of the permits through the City and also make sure all the proposed renovations meet building code requirements.
In De Oliveira’s case, he can draw up all the design plans, too, but since the Leons already had a designer, his fingerprint on their project was more technical.
While it depends on which architectural firm people choose, as well as the scope of their project, on average, it can cost about a third less to go with an architectural technologist than an architect.
The Leons estimate they saved about $11,000 by going this route.
De Oliveira says his company, which he owns with foreignregistered architect Erik Calhoun, has worked on more than 100 projects already this year in Toronto.
“The number of third-storey additions we’re doing now in the GTA because people can’t afford to move is incredible,” he says.
“Also, a lot of people are adding apartments for affordability.”
Calhoun adds that while architects tend to be interested in larger projects, their company has focused on renovations or additions to houses, projects which are not complex enough in scope to require an architect.