I help homeowners understand the feasibility of their projects and get them done.
Whether you’re still working out what’s possible or you already know exactly what you want, I do the due diligence on what your property allows, go through the options and costs with you, and put together the plan and drawings your contractor needs. It could be an ADU, an addition, a new build, or a deck.
The process.
Feasibility and permitting
I look at the zoning, setbacks, lot coverage and height limits that apply to your property, so you know what you’re actually allowed to build before you spend anything on it. I’ll also work out what permits you’ll need and how to get them.
Design options
A site plan, basic plans and sketches of the different ways to do it, with rough costs for each. This is also what a builder needs to give you a real price, and without it you’re getting guesses.
Project planning
What needs to happen in what order, who you’ll need to hire, and the materials and finishes you’re actually buying, which is where a lot of the cost sits and where budgets usually go sideways.
Project management
I can stay involved once work starts and run the project with you, which covers bidding, contracts, scheduling, change orders and invoices.
You get it in writing. Here's an example of a house where we looked at four ways to add space, and what each one would have cost.
Projects I work on.
If it makes the house bigger, moves a wall, or needs a permit, I can help with it.
- Additions — rear, side or second storey
- ADUs and in-law apartments
- Dormers and attic conversions
- Basement finishing
- Decks, porches and screen rooms
- Garages and outbuildings
- Kitchen and bath reconfiguration
- Moving walls and reworking a layout
- Whole-house renovations
- Barn and outbuilding conversions
- Buying a house you want to change
- Projects that have already gone sideways
If yours isn't on the list, just ask.
Why I do this.
There’s usually a lot more to a successful project than hiring a contractor. Feasibility, permitting, design, scope, budget and sequencing all need to be worked through before you can get a reliable price and make good decisions about how to move forward.
Doing that work up front can prevent expensive changes, unrealistic bids, permitting problems and wasted time later.
I know how to navigate the different parts of a home project — contractors, contracts, permitting, design, budgets and schedules. I help you work through those pieces early so you understand what’s possible, what it’s likely to cost, and what needs to happen next.
I’m Kyle. I’m a mechanical engineer and spent 15 years as a director of engineering running capital expansion projects, and I went through all of this on my own house.
Tell me about your project.
Most people come to me with a project or two in mind. We’ll go through them together, and depending on what you need I’ll look at whether they’re feasible on your property, do the due diligence on the rules and permits, sketch out concepts, put real costs to them, and lay out an action plan for getting it done.
Start with a free consultation. We’ll talk through what you’re thinking about and I’ll tell you what I’d do and what it would cost. No project is too small.