WHAT THE HECK: WHICH PROFESSIONALS DO I NEED TO HIRE FOR MY RENOVATION PROJECT
There are some professionals you might want to consider employing (beside a general contractor or a builder) that would help you with a renovation project. It all depends on the type and complexity of your renovation, see the list below for the details.
ARCHITECT OR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Depending on the type of your renovation, you might need to apply for a building permit. Every municipality has its own regulations but they are all similar. For example,this is a link to a City of Toronto website that outlines which projects require a building permit. Usually, home owners are allowed to apply for a building permit under their own name, however one still needs to provide all the necessary drawings and filled out applications. Call or check your municipality website for a list of required drawings and applications.
Licensed Architects or Architectural Designers* are able to take care of applying for a building permit, come up with a design and provide their knowledge and expertise on the best construction practices. Also, if agreed beforehand, Architects or Architectural Designers can oversee the construction of your project, carry on quality control and design compliance, and be there when questions arise to provide the best solution.
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Interior designers are there to work with you on providing the best possible design solution according to your needs and taste. If you hire an interior designer, they should provide you with a floor layout, interior finishes, color schemes, and possibly 3D images of your renovated space. Some, might even be able to apply for a building permit*. Same as architects and architectural designers, if agreed beforehand, design professionals can oversee the construction of your project, carry on quality control and design compliance, and be there when questions arise to provide the best solution.
A lot of design-built companies or companies specializing on kitchen or bathroom renovations have a designer on staff that can assist you with the project.
There are a multitude of professionals out there working in the design and construction field, but if you are a home owner working on a small renovation or addition, a good general contractor and one of the professionals listed above should be sufficient enough to make for a successful renovation. Remember, select whom you are hiring with caution, check for references, see whether they are licensed with a local municipality (for regulated professions) and make sure that they have some sort of liability insurance.
* In provinces like Ontario registered Architectural Designers and Interior Designers allowed to serve the same role as architects for buildings under 600 sm and not more than 3 floors