Architectural Design and Planning in West Toronto

Architectural Design and Planning West Toronto Homeowners Trust

Our BCIN-licensed team designs your renovation and prepares your permit drawings in-house, so you are not coordinating a separate architect on top of your contractor.

The First Step in Almost Every Renovation

Before any construction starts, your project needs a design that meets Toronto’s zoning rules and permit drawings the city will actually approve. About half of our projects begin at this stage. We handle it in-house rather than sending you to a separate firm, so your design and your build stay connected from day one. See the results in our portfolio.

A Disconnected Design Process Costs You Later

When your architect and your builder are two separate companies, details get lost in translation, and that usually shows up as delays or costs once construction starts. Here is what that looks like, and how our approach avoids it.

What Usually Goes Wrong

How We Connect Design and Construction

A Standalone Service, or the Start of Your Full Project

Some clients come to us for design and permit drawings only. Most use this as the first phase of a larger project, whether that is a whole-home renovation, a home addition, or basement underpinning. Either way, you own the drawings and the decision of how to proceed.

Start With a Design Consultation

Book a free consultation and we will talk through what is possible for your property and your budget.

Why Choose Us

Why Homeowners Start Here

BCIN Licensed In-House

We prepare your architectural drawings and manage your permit application ourselves, with no separate architect to coordinate.

Designs Grounded in Real Costs

Because we also build what we design, our drawings reflect what is actually achievable within your budget.

25 Years of Toronto Permit Experience

We know Toronto's zoning rules and permit process well, including the specific quirks of older West Toronto lots.

A Direct Path to Construction

If you choose to build with us, your design phase flows straight into construction with the same team you already know.

Recent Design and Planning Projects

Our Design and Planning Process

Step 1
Initial Consultation
We discuss your goals, budget, and property to understand what kind of design and permit approach makes sense.
Step 2
Concept Design
We develop a design concept that balances your vision with realistic construction costs.
Step 3
Permit Drawings
We prepare detailed drawings that meet Toronto's building code and zoning requirements. Learn more about when a permit is required.
Step 4
Permit Application and Approval
We submit and manage your permit application with the city, following up until it is approved.
Step 5
Handoff to Construction
If you are building with us, your approved drawings move directly into scheduling and construction.
Step 6
Ongoing Support
We are available throughout construction to address any design questions that come up on site.
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Not Sure Which Service You Need?

If you already know the type of project you are planning, explore our home renovation, home addition, or interior redesign pages, or book a consultation and we will help you figure out the right starting point.

Architectural Design FAQs

Do I need an architect for my renovation?

You need permit drawings prepared by a qualified professional. As a BCIN-licensed firm, we prepare these in-house instead of requiring a separate architect.

Design is the creative and functional plan for your space. Permit drawings are the technical documents the city needs to approve construction. We handle both together.

This varies by project and city processing times, but most design and permit phases take six to twelve weeks. We will give you a realistic estimate for your project.

Our design and planning service is intended to lead into construction with our team, so we can design with your actual budget and buildability in mind from the start.

Yes, we review zoning requirements before designing, so we can flag any issues early rather than after drawings are complete.

We focus on West Toronto, including High Park, Roncesvalles, and Bloor West. See our About Us page for details.

You need permit drawings prepared by a qualified professional. As a BCIN-licensed firm, we prepare these in-house instead of requiring a separate architect.

Design is the creative and functional plan for your space. Permit drawings are the technical documents the city needs to approve construction. We handle both together.

This varies by project and city processing times, but most design and permit phases take six to twelve weeks. We will give you a realistic estimate for your project.

Our design and planning service is intended to lead into construction with our team, so we can design with your actual budget and buildability in mind from the start.

Yes, we review zoning requirements before designing, so we can flag any issues early rather than after drawings are complete.

We focus on West Toronto, including High Park, Roncesvalles, and Bloor West. See our About Us page for details.

Design and planning supports all of our renovation services, including whole-home renovations, additions, extensions, and basement underpinning.

What Clients Say About Working With Us

Read more feedback from homeowners on our testimonials page.
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Fiona Dunbar profile picture
Fiona Dunbar
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Emmett was wonderful to work and I knew I could trust him with my project from our very first conversation. He managed our home renovation that included a custom kitchen where we had to take out a chimney and put in a structural beam. We added heated floors to our entryway and mudroom, installed new hardwood floors throughout, renovated two bathrooms and lowered the basement bathroom floor. The results were beyond my expectations and I would work with Emmett again in a heartbeat.
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Mike Strizic profile picture
Mike Strizic
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Emmett and his team helped my wife and I with the timely renovation of our third bedroom in time for the arrival of our first child. They also replaced three bedroom doors, installed a new bannister in our main stairwell, and painted. Throughout the project, I found Emmett and his team to be highly responsive and attuned to our needs, always going the extra mile to ensure that we were happy. We were able to move quickly and trust them to make decisions when we wished to step back, but were also encouraged to provide input and guidance every step of the way. This project was particularly challenging because we were living onsite during the renovation, and I felt that they made every effort to keep the space as tidy as possible for us. Ashford Homes uses a project management software called CoConstruct that makes communicating with their team easy and efficient. We always felt like we were a priority when communicating with Paul, our project manager, and were able to advise and provide input at various crucial stages of the project. The team was particularly receptive to the various minor tweaks that came up as we neared completion of the project, which is a big plus. My wife and I are very pleased with the result of our renovation. I highly recommend Emmett and his team to anyone.
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Karen Gilchrist profile picture
Karen Gilchrist
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Emmett is fantastic. Professional and attentive. My home turned out beautifully.
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Brad Milburn profile picture
Brad Milburn
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Emmett worked with us on a 3 floor renovation of our older High Park home and we couldn't be happier. We had 2 structural walls removed, main floor kitchen completely demo'd and rebuilt, bedrooms modified on the 2nd floor and the entire 3rd floor gutted and rebuilt, including adding a 3 piece bathroom. His workflow made tracking progress easy, and he followed through with us whenever there was an issue that required a change in plans. His trades were reliable and professional, and the finishing touches have withstood years of abuse with no issues! I have a porch reno planned for this spring and will be meeting Emmett on Sunday to plan how we are going to get it done. Never considered calling anyone else.
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Tracie Bick profile picture
Tracie Bick
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We worked with Ashford homes to renovate a large three unit rental property. It was a century home, and they helped us bring it into the modern era while still keeping some of the beautiful features. They added 3 insuite laundries, 3 kitchen overhauls, 3 bathroom renovations. Additionally they did flooring, painting, new HVAC, asbestos abatement, in-ground plumbing and some electrical. The place looks great, and the tenants love it! Emmett and his crew were easy to work with; they always communicated issues pro-actively and gave options, and also use a software to track the schedule and the communications. Emmett has a solid sense of fairness and accountability, we appreciated his honest and transparent style. We will definitely work with them again in the future!
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Alexandra Gillespie profile picture
Alexandra Gillespie
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I've worked with Ashford Homes for over 13 years for several large and small renovations. They have always completed their work for me on time and on budget. Emmett and his crew are very responsive and a pleasurer to work with. They turned a house with offices and an awkward layout into a lovely single family home.

Ready to Start Your Design?

Book a free consultation and we will talk through your goals and your property. Call 647-576-7852 or fill out the form below.