Where does pre-renovation assessment fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Pre-Renovation Assessment
Scoped room by room, with the rest of the home kept usable during the work.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condo owners: Pre-Renovation Assessment
Planned around the building rules, the board approval and the access schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Pre-Renovation Assessment
Scheduled around the business, with the trades working in order and the site kept safe.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Pre-Renovation Assessment
Planned for durability and a fast turnaround between tenants.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Pre-Renovation Assessment
Built into the full new-build plan, with one lead from the first drawing to handover.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Pre-Renovation Assessment
Find the hidden problems before the walls are open, so your renovation is planned around what is really there.
What it is
Most renovation surprises come from behind the walls: water damage, undersized wiring, old plumbing or framing that has moved. A pre-renovation assessment looks for these before the scope and budget are set.
The result is a clearer plan, fewer change orders and a renovation that is built on what is actually there.
How it works
- Walk the spaceWe look at the rooms you plan to change, and the areas around them.
- Check what is hiddenMoisture readings, openings and checks where the trades will work.
- Review the planWe tell you what affects the design, the structure and the schedule.
- Plan the renovationYou get a scope and timeline that starts from the real condition of the home.
What we look at
Structure
Load-bearing walls, floors and any changes that need engineering.
Moisture and envelope
Water entry and the condition of the building envelope.
Systems
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC conditions that affect the work.
Decision 1: Where pre-renovation assessment is used
A pre-renovation assessment is used before kitchens, basements, additions and whole-home work. It finds the conditions behind the walls before the scope and budget are set.
| Project | What is found | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen or bathroom | Plumbing, electrical, moisture | Services that need moving |
| Basement | Moisture, drainage, ceiling height | Water path and headroom |
| Addition | Foundation, framing, tie-ins | Load path and structure |
| Whole-home | Structure, systems, envelope | The whole house as one system |
Our pick: Assess before the scope is set. A renovation planned on hidden conditions changes its price later.
Decision 2: Checking the structure
The structure is checked for load path, movement and damage. Load-bearing walls and floor spans are identified before any design is set.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Load-bearing walls | Identified and marked |
| Floor spans and joists | Size, spacing, damage |
| Foundation | Cracks, movement, moisture |
Our pick: Identify the load path first. Every removal decision depends on it.
Decision 3: Moisture and envelope
Moisture is the most common hidden problem. Readings in the walls and floors show where water has been, even when the surface looks dry.
| Location | Reading |
|---|---|
| Wall cavities | Moisture readings at the plates |
| Subfloor and joists | Readings at the framing |
| Exterior envelope | Flashing, sealing, staining |
Our pick: Read the moisture before you finish. Water behind the new finish is the most expensive surprise.
Decision 4: Systems: electrical, plumbing and HVAC
The systems are checked for capacity, age and condition. The renovation often needs a system upgrade that is cheaper to do while the walls are open.
| System | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Panel capacity, wiring type, circuits |
| Plumbing | Material, drains, venting |
| HVAC | Sizing, ducts, condition |
Our pick: Plan the system upgrade with the renovation. Opening walls twice costs far more.
Decision 5: Openings and access
The assessment looks at where the walls can open, what sits behind them, and where access is needed for the trades.
| Item | What it decides |
|---|---|
| Walls to open | Where the trades can work |
| Services behind | What must be moved or protected |
| Access routes | How the materials and waste come out |
Our pick: Mark the openings before the design. The openings decide what is possible.
Decision 6: Hazards found before work
Older homes can contain materials that need testing before disturbance. The assessment identifies them so the work is planned around them.
| Material | Action |
|---|---|
| Suspected asbestos | Tested before disturbance |
| Lead paint | Tested before sanding or removal |
| Mould | Assessed and planned for |
Our pick: Test before you disturb. Hazards found mid-work stop the job and cost more.
Decision 7: Scope and the budget
The findings become the scope. Each item is written with its reason, so the budget reflects the real condition of the house.
| Scope item | Why |
|---|---|
| Structural work | Needed to carry the new layout |
| Moisture remediation | Needed before the finish |
| System upgrade | Needed for the new loads |
Our pick: Every scope line has a reason from the assessment. That is what makes the budget defensible.
Decision 8: Permits and approvals
The assessment identifies what needs permits, engineering or approval, so the timeline includes them from the start.
| Item | Usual approval |
|---|---|
| Structural change | Engineering and permit |
| New plumbing or electrical | Trade permits and inspections |
| Exterior change | Municipal check |
Our pick: Know the approvals before you commit to the timeline.
Decision 9: Handover of the assessment
The assessment report is handed over with photos and a plain-language summary. It goes with the renovation plan and the house file.
| Document | Use |
|---|---|
| Photos and locations | Where each finding is |
| Scope summary | What the renovation needs |
| House file | Kept for later work |
Our pick: Keep the assessment with the house file. It is the baseline for every change after it.
Decision 10: After the assessment
The assessment leads straight into the renovation plan. The next step is a scope that starts from the real condition of the house.
| Next step | When |
|---|---|
| Renovation scope | After the assessment is accepted |
| Specialist work | Where a finding needs it |
| Schedule | Set around the approvals |
Our pick: Move from the assessment to the scope in one step. The conditions are fresh and the plan holds.
Questions
Is this worth doing for a small renovation?
It is most valuable for kitchens, basements and additions, where hidden problems are common. We will tell you if it is not needed.
Does this include the renovation?
No. It is the planning step. You can go ahead with us or with another team.
How long does it take?
It depends on the size of the home. We confirm the timing on the visit.
Related: Kitchen RemodelsBasement RenovationsAll renovations