Design Feasibility & Risk Review
Construction is Risky. Build Smart.
Construction is Risky. Build Smart.
Existing conditions require more time and money to fix than is often budgeted for. Non-compliant work needs to be repaired first.
Clarity Before Commitments Are Made
A Design Feasibility & Risk Review is not about producing drawings, creating concepts, or discussing the benefits of a traditional versus contemporary style. It's about identifying pre-existing issues that impact all subsequent work, influencing and shaping the design and construction materials and methods used, so newly discovered issues are corrected first or used to inform design decisions.
Although it sounds like a home inspection, it's far more detailed in its approach. It's a team of licensed professionals you hire to produce unbiased reports about what can or cannot be done based on the current condition of your project.
The purpose is to uncover the constraints imposed by subdivision covenants, identify the risks associated with illegal or unpermitted existing work, and determine the risks involved. This provides weight to decisions, shaping the scope of work and influencing decisions on whether a project should be abandoned or adopted, given that proceeding is more costly and stressful than leaving things as they are and moving on to a different property.
Most pre-construction problems don’t result from poor workmanship. They result from prior work, existing hazardous materials, and errors made by others who owned the property before you. Undisclosed work yet to be discovered, real issues that were either ignored, hidden behind a new paint, or buried.
To help clients understand problems early in the project's lifecycle, when they are easiest and least expensive to address, a review like this is critical.
Although it sounds like a home inspection, it's far more detailed in its approach. It's a team of licensed professionals you hire to produce unbiased reports about what can or cannot be done based on the current condition of your project.
The purpose is to uncover the constraints imposed by subdivision covenants, identify the risks associated with illegal or unpermitted existing work, and determine the risks involved. This provides weight to decisions, shaping the scope of work and influencing decisions on whether a project should be abandoned or adopted, given that proceeding is more costly and stressful than leaving things as they are and moving on to a different property.
Most pre-construction problems don’t result from poor workmanship. They result from prior work, existing hazardous materials, and errors made by others who owned the property before you. Undisclosed work yet to be discovered, real issues that were either ignored, hidden behind a new paint, or buried.
To help clients understand problems early in the project's lifecycle, when they are easiest and least expensive to address, a review like this is critical.
Stone foundations require investigation. Often, their condition is covered by interior frost walls, and remedial work is ignored or put off.
What “Feasibility” Really Means
Feasibility is often misunderstood as a simple yes-or-no question. Or it's mistaken to be nothing more than "just another home inspection" type deal.
In reality, this review simply answers these questions:
A feasibility review doesn’t tell you what to build.
It helps you understand what to consider before deciding to build.
You hire the professionals you need, so you have their input and reports free of any bias from builders, design professionals, or others who would otherwise profit from any oversight during construction.
Feasibility is often misunderstood as a simple yes-or-no question. Or it's mistaken to be nothing more than "just another home inspection" type deal.
In reality, this review simply answers these questions:
- Are there risks associated with the building lot?
- Is there illegal, unpermitted work that previous owners made that was not disclosed?
- Was all the work done to the property in any of the years prior properly permitted?
- Does the zoning allow for this type of dwelling?
- Which decisions will drive cost and complexity?
- Is the septic system capable of handling the new fixture or occupant load?
- Are the stairs non-conforming, making them untouchable?
- Are the thermal ratings of the walls, ceilings, and floor systems code-compliant?
- Is the HVAC system code compliant?
- Where is the project most vulnerable to risk?
- Is the bearing capacity of the soil adequate?
- Are there structural issues to correct?
- Are there existing building permit records of the work previously done?
- Are there any open building permits?
- Are there any encumbrances on the land from neighbours or your own buildings or driveway?
- What needs to be resolved before design begins?
- How will illegal, unpermitted work be dealt with?
- What steps are required to address the increased fixture and occupant load?
- Are there site conditions impacting the new work?
A feasibility review doesn’t tell you what to build.
It helps you understand what to consider before deciding to build.
You hire the professionals you need, so you have their input and reports free of any bias from builders, design professionals, or others who would otherwise profit from any oversight during construction.
Existing structural systems are outside of the building code's limited scope and require a structural engineer's review.
What the Review Typically Uncovers
Every project is different, but a Design Feasibility & Risk Review often brings clarity to the following areas:
1. Site & Regulatory Constraints
Many projects encounter delays or redesign because site limitations are discovered too late.
The review may identify:
These factors often determine what is realistically possible. Even if drawings were started, these types of constraints would drastically alter what can legally be constructed, rendering the drawings useless. This leaves the homeowner with a set of plans for an unbuildable project.
2. Existing Conditions & Unknowns (For Renovations and Conversions)
Renovations to older homes, rural properties, cottages, and previously renovated buildings entail greater uncertainty and risk.
The review helps clarify:
This helps avoid committing to designing a project when the existing conditions are unsafe or need replacement, and not factoring them into the design or budget.
3. Building Envelope & Moisture Risk
Many long-term performance problems originate with the building envelope. The primary role of the building envelope is to create a protective barrier that prevents the unconditioned exterior environment (extreme temperatures, rain, sun, wind) from entering the building's conditioned interior spaces in an uncontrolled manner.
The review may uncover:
This is especially critical for cottage-to-year-round conversions and older homes (30+ years old), where previous “upgrades” or oversights have caused unintentional damage, increasing the risk of new work. Knowing if this is the case is crucial for deciding if the project is realistic.
4. Early Cost & Complexity Drivers
While the review is not a detailed estimate or a description outlining remedial work required, it helps identify:
Understanding these cost and complexity drivers early, before any design work begins, helps build a project budget that addresses the areas requiring correction before construction.
5. Decision Sequencing — What Must Be Decided First
One of the most valuable outcomes of a feasibility review is clarity around decision order.
The review helps answer:
This prevents premature commitments that later need to be undone or completely abandoned.
What the Review Does Not Do
To be clear, a Design Feasibility & Risk Review does not:
It is an independent, professional advisory step focused on providing you with the knowledge needed to either invest in or abandon the project, not on selling you design services.
Who Benefits Most From a Feasibility Review
This review is especially valuable if you are:
In many cases, the review saves more time, money, and stress than it costs. It provides a clear indication of whether the risk of proceeding outweighs the benefits.
What You Gain From the Review
Clients typically leave the review with:
Most importantly, you gain peace of mind knowing critical issues impacting the project have been identified early.
A Smarter Way to Start
If you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or pulled in different directions, that’s often a sign that the work to perform a design feasibility risk review is needed for your own peace of mind.
The best projects begin with a clear understanding of what is possible and what costly mistakes to avoid.
You're invited to send us details of your project using our Design Feasibility & Risk Review questionnaire to find out your next steps.
Every project is different, but a Design Feasibility & Risk Review often brings clarity to the following areas:
1. Site & Regulatory Constraints
Many projects encounter delays or redesign because site limitations are discovered too late.
The review may identify:
- Maximum buildable lot area coverage
- Zoning and setback limitations
- Building height or use restrictions, access to a new basement apartment
- Conservation, shoreline, flood plain, mature tree protection, and other environmental constraints
- Driveway access, service availability, or insurance implications
These factors often determine what is realistically possible. Even if drawings were started, these types of constraints would drastically alter what can legally be constructed, rendering the drawings useless. This leaves the homeowner with a set of plans for an unbuildable project.
2. Existing Conditions & Unknowns (For Renovations and Conversions)
Renovations to older homes, rural properties, cottages, and previously renovated buildings entail greater uncertainty and risk.
The review helps clarify:
- Is the building asbestos-free?
- Are there any lead-contaminated painted surfaces?
- Structural limitations and load paths
- Foundation or framing concerns
- What can be kept as-is, and what needs to be replaced?
- What assumptions are being made without any investigation or verification?
This helps avoid committing to designing a project when the existing conditions are unsafe or need replacement, and not factoring them into the design or budget.
3. Building Envelope & Moisture Risk
Many long-term performance problems originate with the building envelope. The primary role of the building envelope is to create a protective barrier that prevents the unconditioned exterior environment (extreme temperatures, rain, sun, wind) from entering the building's conditioned interior spaces in an uncontrolled manner.
The review may uncover:
- Surface water, roof drainage, and water table risks
- Thermal insulation and air quality implications
- Below-grade water infiltration risks
- Compatibility issues with existing assemblies and the building code requirements
- Thermal package performance considerations, especially if larger windows are to be considered
This is especially critical for cottage-to-year-round conversions and older homes (30+ years old), where previous “upgrades” or oversights have caused unintentional damage, increasing the risk of new work. Knowing if this is the case is crucial for deciding if the project is realistic.
4. Early Cost & Complexity Drivers
While the review is not a detailed estimate or a description outlining remedial work required, it helps identify:
- Design decisions that disproportionately affect cost
- Areas where the scope of work is likely to expand due to unforeseen issues
- Complexity that may not be obvious from initial ideas
- Understanding how focusing on defining requirements versus shoe-horning wants into the design reduces risk and expense
Understanding these cost and complexity drivers early, before any design work begins, helps build a project budget that addresses the areas requiring correction before construction.
5. Decision Sequencing — What Must Be Decided First
One of the most valuable outcomes of a feasibility review is clarity around decision order.
The review helps answer:
- What decisions should happen now before design starts
- How to address the issues that arise in a cost-effective manner
- Where the impact on the budget will be the greatest
- Why certain design approaches are just not worth the time and effort to implement
- What external consultants need to be hired to perform a thorough review and analysis
This prevents premature commitments that later need to be undone or completely abandoned.
What the Review Does Not Do
To be clear, a Design Feasibility & Risk Review does not:
- Produce permit drawings
- Provide any design solutions
- Finalize layouts or finishes
- Provide solutions for correcting illegal, unpermitted work
- Replace engineering or site surveys
- Commit you to further services
It is an independent, professional advisory step focused on providing you with the knowledge needed to either invest in or abandon the project, not on selling you design services.
Who Benefits Most From a Feasibility Review
This review is especially valuable if you are:
- Planning a renovation or addition
- Converting a cottage to year-round use
- Remodelling an older home built more than 30 years ago
- Considering a new build on a complex site, such as a waterfront location, bedrock, heavily treed, or steep, uneven terrain
- Unsure what level of design services you actually need
- Trying to avoid costly redesign and delays
In many cases, the review saves more time, money, and stress than it costs. It provides a clear indication of whether the risk of proceeding outweighs the benefits.
What You Gain From the Review
Clients typically leave the review with:
- A clearer understanding of what’s possible
- Awareness of risks before they become problems
- Better questions to ask builders and consultants at an early pre-design and pre-construction phase
- Confidence in the next step, whether to abandon or go ahead with the project, whatever that may be
Most importantly, you gain peace of mind knowing critical issues impacting the project have been identified early.
A Smarter Way to Start
If you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or pulled in different directions, that’s often a sign that the work to perform a design feasibility risk review is needed for your own peace of mind.
The best projects begin with a clear understanding of what is possible and what costly mistakes to avoid.
You're invited to send us details of your project using our Design Feasibility & Risk Review questionnaire to find out your next steps.