Custom home built from architectural plans before and after in Ottawa by Dream Touch Renovations
Ottawa BCIN-Certified Architectural Drawings · Permit Plans · Schedule 1 Sealed · Residential & Commercial

Ottawa architectural drawings.
BCIN-certified. Drawn by people who actually build.

Building permit drawings Ottawa, home addition plans, secondary suite designs, coach home plans, custom home drawings, and commercial tenant improvement documentation. Schedule 1 designer sealed for City of Ottawa submission. Drawn by a working general contractor, so permit drawings Ottawa approve faster and structural problems get solved on paper before your build starts.

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BCIN
Certified · Schedule 1
2–6 wks
Typical turnaround
Fixed-fee
Written proposal before work
500+
Ottawa projects
Free design consult
No deposit required.
Permits + drawings
In-house engineering.
20+ yrs in Ottawa
Since 2004 across every sector.
Flexible financing
Trusted Ottawa brokers.
BCIN-certified · Schedule 1 designer · Ontario Building Code Ottawa-experienced

What "BCIN-certified" actually means, and why it matters for your Ottawa project.

BCIN (Building Code Identification Number) is a designation issued by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to qualified professionals authorized to prepare and submit permit drawings under the Ontario Building Code. In Ontario, only a BCIN holder, a licensed architect or an engineer can legally submit drawings for permit approval.

Most Ottawa permit drawings are prepared by a BCIN designer Ottawa rather than an architect, because BCIN-qualified work is faster and cheaper, and it covers residential renovations, additions, secondary suites, custom homes, and most small commercial projects. A BCIN certified designer Ottawa is the standard for Ontario Building Code drawings Ottawa work.

Dream Touch's BCIN-certified design team prepares permit-ready architectural drawings for City of Ottawa submission across every residential category: additions, secondary suite and ADU plans, coach home and custom home plans, basement legalization, and deck and garage permit drawings, plus most small commercial categories.

We submit Schedule 1 designer forms showing our BCIN with every drawing package, as City of Ottawa Building Code Services requires. For scopes legally requiring an architect's seal (very large commercial, multi-storey commercial, certain high-occupancy buildings), we coordinate with OAA-licensed architects.

Dream Touch's unique advantage, and the reason most clients return for second projects, is that our architectural drawings Ottawa are prepared by people who actually build. Plans from drafting-only firms can look perfect on paper and still hit structural, code, or constructability problems mid-build, which means costly change orders.

Working general contractors review our building permit drawings Ottawa before submission and catch most of those issues at the design stage. Typical residential drafting Ottawa work skips that step.

Five client tiers. Five distinct drawing scopes.

Who Ottawa BCIN-certified architectural drawings serve.

Investors building income properties need different drawings than homeowners adding a sunroom. These are the five client tiers our BCIN-certified design team serves most often, with the building permit drawing package each one usually needs. Every tier gets Schedule 1 designer documentation and architectural plans prepared by people who build.

Highest Growth Tier · 2025
01 / Investors & Bill 23

Investor & Bill 23 Plans Ottawa

Investors converting single-family homes to duplex conversion plans Ottawa, triplex, or fourplex configurations under Bill 23, plus secondary suite plans Ottawa, ADU drawings Ottawa, and multi-unit conversion docs. It is the most regulatory-complex residential category and the fastest-growing Ottawa segment in 2025.

Typical drawings

Site plan with zoning compliance · Existing-conditions drawings · Proposed floor plans (per unit) · Fire separation details · Egress diagrams · Utility separation · Schedule 1 BCIN documentation

Cost drivers
Unit count, fire separation, zoning
Turnaround
4–6 weeks
Multi-unit →   Coach houses →
02 / Addition planners

Home Addition Drawings Ottawa

Homeowners building second storey addition plans, rear extensions, side additions, garage conversions, or major bump-outs. Architectural plans Ottawa for permit submission, structural coordination, and contractor execution.

Typical drawings

Site plan · Existing floor plans · Proposed floor plans · Elevations (all four sides) · Sections · Roof plan · Construction details · Schedule 1 BCIN documentation

Cost drivers
Footprint, structural scope, elevations
Turnaround
4–8 weeks
Home additions →
03 / Custom home builders

Custom Home Plans Ottawa

Homeowners building brand-new homes on infill lots, country properties, or post-demolition rebuilds. Full new home architectural drawings Ottawa packages, from concept through construction documentation. These are our most complete house plans Ottawa sets.

Typical drawings

Site plan with grading · Foundation plan · Floor plans (all levels) · Elevations · Roof plan · Building sections · Wall sections · Construction details · MEP coordination · Schedule 1 BCIN

Cost drivers
Levels, custom detailing, MEP coordination
Turnaround
8–14 weeks
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04 / Small contractors

Drafting for Ottawa Contractors

Small renovation contractors and trades needing permit drawings for client projects without in-house drafting. Turnkey residential drafting Ottawa services, white-label-friendly, fast turnaround for client deadlines.

Typical drawings

Project-specific scope · Permit-ready drawings to your specification · Coordination with your structural and trades · BCIN sealed for direct submission

Cost drivers
Drawing scope, revision rounds
Turnaround
1–4 weeks
Partner with us →
05 / Commercial

Commercial Permit Drawings Ottawa

Restaurant, retail, office, healthcare, and small commercial tenant improvement drawings Ottawa. Permit-ready drawings for City submission and tenant improvement allowance documentation.

Typical drawings

Existing-conditions · Proposed floor plans · Demising and partitions · Reflected ceiling plans · Egress and life-safety · Mechanical coordination · Schedule 1 BCIN

Cost drivers
Floor area, life-safety, mechanical scope
Turnaround
3–6 weeks
Restaurants ·  Retail ·  Healthcare ·  Office
What you actually receive

What a complete Ottawa permit drawing package contains.

Building permit drawings Ottawa are a coordinated set of plans that answers the questions Ottawa Building Code Services will ask. A standard residential renovation drawing package from a BCIN certified designer Ottawa includes the following.

Site Plan

Maps property, building footprint, lot dimensions, setbacks, and proposed-work location relative to property lines. Required for any project changing the footprint.

Existing Conditions Drawings

As built drawings Ottawa documenting every wall, opening, structural element, and utility location. Every renovation drawing starts from these, so the proposed work fits what is already there.

Proposed Floor Plans

Top-down floor plan drawings Ottawa of every floor: walls, doors, windows, fixtures, dimensions, room labels. The most-referenced drawing during construction; every trade works from these.

Building Elevations

Side-on drawings of each exterior face (front, rear, both sides) showing heights, materials, window/door locations, and exterior finish indications. Required for additions, exterior modifications, and new construction.

Building Sections

Cut-through drawings showing the building sliced open: wall assemblies, floor structures, roof construction, ceiling heights. Permit reviewers use them to check structural and code compliance.

Construction Details

Zoomed-in drawings of specific construction conditions: wall-to-floor connections, window flashings, structural connections, waterproofing assemblies. Prevents construction errors and code violations.

Schedule 1 BCIN Documentation

Required form indicating the Schedule 1 designer Ottawa who prepared the drawings. Submitted with every permit application, as Ontario Building Code Services requires.

Coordination Documentation

When a project needs structural, mechanical, or specialty consultants, we coordinate the architectural drawings with theirs so the submitted package is complete and consistent.

How drawings actually happen

From first sketch to permit-stamped plans, six steps.

Every Dream Touch architectural drawings Ottawa project follows the same six-step process, and you know the timing of each stage.

01

Initial Consultation

Discuss your project, scope, intended use, and timeline. We confirm what drawings your project requires and quote a fixed fee.

60 min · Free
02

Site Measurement

On-site measurement of existing conditions for renovations and additions. New builds proceed directly to design from your site plan and survey.

1–2 days
03

Conceptual Design

First drafts of floor plans and key elevations. You review, request changes, and we iterate until the design matches your intent.

1–3 weeks
04

Detailed Drafting

Full package developed: complete plans, elevations, sections, details, and construction documentation. Coordination with structural engineer or other consultants if required.

2–4 weeks
05

Schedule 1 & Permit Prep

BCIN documentation completed, drawings stamped, package assembled for City of Ottawa submission. We submit on your behalf or hand off to your contractor.

3–5 days
06

Permit Submission Support

During City of Ottawa review (4–10 weeks), we respond to reviewer questions and revision requests directly. Most BCIN-prepared packages approve without revision; when revisions are required, we manage them at no additional fee.

Ongoing
What drives architectural drawing pricing in Ottawa

How Ottawa drawing fees are built, no surprises.

Like most Ottawa drafting firms, we quote project by project. You get a fixed written proposal after the initial consultation, so you see what is included before any work begins. The table below lists the scope and cost drivers for each project type, the same factors behind how much do architectural plans cost Ottawa and BCIN designer Ottawa fees.

Project Type
What Drives the Fee
Typical Turnaround
Deck or simple structure permit
Single drawing scope, minimal coordination
1–2 weeks
Garage permit drawings Ottawa
Footprint, foundation, zoning setbacks
2–3 weeks
Basement finishing permit
Layout complexity, egress, mechanical
2–4 weeks
Legal basement apartment plans Ottawa
Fire separation, egress, code legalization
3–5 weeks
Bump-out or small addition
Structural tie-in, elevations, site plan
3–5 weeks
Major rear or side addition
Footprint, structural scope, four elevations
4–7 weeks
Second floor addition plans
Load path, existing-structure review, sections
5–8 weeks
Coach home plans Ottawa / ADU
Full standalone package, zoning, servicing
4–7 weeks
Duplex conversion plans
Unit separation, fire rating, egress
4–6 weeks
Triplex / fourplex conversion plans
Unit count, life-safety, Bill 23 compliance
6–10 weeks
Custom home plans (full package)
All levels, custom detailing, MEP coordination
8–14 weeks
Small commercial permit drawings Ottawa
Floor area, life-safety, partitions
3–5 weeks
Mid-size commercial drawings
Occupancy, mechanical scope, ceiling plans
6–10 weeks

Every package includes up to 3 rounds of revisions, Schedule 1 BCIN documentation, and permit submission preparation. When a project needs structural engineering, the engineer quotes that scope directly. Custom and complex projects carry broader scope, and the fixed written proposal after our initial consultation spells out what is included. We answer BCIN designer cost Ottawa questions in the first call.

What makes Dream Touch drawings different

Drawings prepared by people who actually build them.

Most Ottawa drafting firms only draft: they prepare drawings, hand them off, and move to the next project. Their drawings are usually code-compliant, but they sometimes miss details that only show up once someone starts building: structural connections that need unrealistic carpentry, plumbing routes that conflict with floor joists, mechanical penetrations that break fire separations, beams sized for dead load but wrong for finished assembly weight.

Our BCIN-certified designers work alongside our construction project managers, who review every drawing for constructability before it goes to permit. That means fewer change orders during construction and fewer permit revisions during review, whoever you hire to build.

We draw every set as if someone will build from it next month. The drawings work if you hire Dream Touch, hire another GC, or manage subtrades yourself.

If you later hire Dream Touch to build the project, your drawing fee is credited against your construction contract, so the plans end up free.

Specialized drawing categories

Specific Ottawa drawing services we provide.

We also prepare drawings for these project types, each of which needs specialized knowledge.

As-Built Drawings Ottawa

Existing-conditions documentation of buildings, used for renovations, lease verification, sales documentation, or insurance purposes. Laser-measured for precision; delivered as 2D CAD-ready drawings.

Floor Plan Drawings Ottawa

Marketing floor plans for real estate, leasing, or pre-sale documentation. Clean, presentation-ready 2D plans suitable for MLS listings, marketing brochures, or investor pitch decks.

Site Plans & Grading Plans Ottawa

Property site plans showing building footprints, setbacks, lot dimensions, and grading. Required for additions, new builds, and most City of Ottawa permit applications.

Compliance Reports & Code Reviews Ottawa

Ontario Building Code compliance reports for renovations, change-of-use applications, or pre-purchase due diligence. Identifies code conflicts and required upgrades before construction or purchase.

Heritage District Drawings Ottawa

Specialized drawings for projects in Ottawa heritage conservation districts (the Glebe, Centretown, Sandy Hill, Westboro). Coordinated with Built Heritage Committee design review process.

Variance Application Drawings Ottawa

Drawing packages for Committee of Adjustment variance hearings, required when proposed work doesn't meet zoning by-law (lot coverage, setback, height). Includes context drawings showing existing neighbourhood character.

Common questions

Ottawa architectural drawing questions, answered.

The questions homeowners, investors, and operators in Westboro, The Glebe, Manotick, Kanata, Orleans, and Barrhaven ask most often about architectural drawings Ottawa and building permit drawings Ottawa services.

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Drawing fees depend on scope more than square footage. A simple deck or shed permit is a single drawing with minimal coordination; a full custom home or multi-unit conversion involves multiple levels, structural review, life-safety detailing, and MEP coordination. The main cost drivers are project complexity, number of units, structural coordination, and revision rounds. After the initial consultation you get a fixed written proposal that lists what is included, with no hourly billing.
Simple permits (decks, sheds, garages) take 1–3 weeks for preparation. Standard residential renovation drawings take 2–5 weeks. Major additions and custom home plans take 5–14 weeks. Add 4–10 weeks for City of Ottawa permit review after submission. Total project-to-permit timelines run 6–22 weeks depending on scope.
Yes. Our team includes BCIN certified designer Ottawa professionals authorized to prepare and submit permit drawings Ottawa under the Ontario Building Code. Schedule 1 designer documentation comes with every drawing package. For projects legally requiring an architect's seal (very large or high-occupancy commercial), we coordinate with OAA-licensed architects.
Either works. We submit on your behalf (application, documentation, reviewer back-and-forth) or hand off the sealed package for you to submit through MyServiceOttawa. Homeowners often prefer the latter to save service fees; investors and contractors often prefer the former for time savings.
Most BCIN-prepared packages approve without revision on first submission. Occasional revisions are usually clarifications or minor code interpretations, included at no additional fee within standard scope. Major scope changes mid-review are quoted separately if required.
For most residential renovations involving structural changes (load-bearing wall removal, additions affecting foundation or roof, second storey addition plans), yes. Structural engineering is a separate scope, and we coordinate with engineers on every project requiring structural review. The engineer quotes that work directly, so it is itemized separately from your drawing proposal.
Yes. Bill 23 conversions are one of our highest-volume categories in 2025: duplex conversion plans Ottawa, triplex, and fourplex configurations including coach home additions. Scope: site plan with zoning verification, existing conditions, proposed floor plans per unit, fire separation, egress diagrams, utility separation, and Schedule 1 BCIN documentation.
Yes. Secondary suite plans Ottawa (legal basement apartment plans Ottawa) registered as Secondary Dwelling Units (SDU) with full Bill 23 and By-Law 2008-250 compliance. Includes life-safety (fire separation, egress windows, smoke alarm interconnection), kitchen and bathroom plans, separate entrance documentation, and SDU registration paperwork support.
Yes. We prepare pre-purchase compliance reports and feasibility drawings for properties you are considering. They identify code conflicts, structural limits, and zoning constraints before you commit to a property that can't fit your plans.
Both. Permit drawings include construction-grade detail any qualified contractor can build from: wall sections, structural details, dimensional drawings, and material specs. For complex builds, Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings beyond the permit set are an optional add-on.
Your drawing fee is credited toward your construction contract, so the drawings end up free. You also get integrated estimating and a single point of contact, and the drawings come from the people who will build them.
Call 613-862-4555 or request a quote online. Initial consultations are free (60 minutes, in person or by video) and cover scope and drawing requirements, followed by a fixed-fee quote within 5 business days. The quote needs no deposit; we collect one when you commit.
Also explore

Architectural drawings connect to every Dream Touch service.

2D & 3D Renderings

Photorealistic visualization paired with permit-ready drawings. See your design and submit your permit from the same package.

Explore →

Home Additions

Major additions, where the architectural drawings shape the whole project.

Explore →

Multi-Unit Dwellings

Bill 23 duplex, triplex, and fourplex conversions where drawings drive every approval.

Explore →

Coach Houses

ADU and laneway house projects requiring specific Bill 23 drawing packages.

Explore →
Your project starts with the drawings

Request a Drawing Quote.
5-business-day fixed-fee quote.
BCIN-certified · Schedule 1 sealed.

Tell us about your project: scope, location, intended use, timeline. The 60-minute consultation is free, and you get a fixed-fee quote within 5 business days with no deposit and no commitment. If you build with Dream Touch, the drawing fee is credited back.

Projects across Westboro, The Glebe, Hintonburg, Centretown, Sandy Hill, Manotick, Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Nepean, Alta Vista, Stittsville, Riverside South, Findlay Creek, Carlsbad Springs, Manor Park, Old Ottawa South, Vanier, Carleton Place, Embrun, and Russell.

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BCIN-Certified Schedule 1 Designer 20 Years of Ottawa Projects Est. 2004 Drawn by Builders