Our process
One lead. One written scope. A full record at handover.
Every project follows the same path, from the first call to the final walkthrough. Here is exactly how it works.
Every job follows the same path: one call, one written scope, one lead on site, and a full record at handover. Here is exactly how it works.
The Builders Plug runs renovation, restoration, builds, inspections and takeoffs on one documented process. You speak to one lead from the first call to the final walkthrough, the scope is in writing before any work is ordered, and every stage is checked and recorded. This page sets out each step, what you receive, and how to start.
Key takeaways
- One lead handles your project from the first call to the final walkthrough.
- The scope is written before any price is set, and nothing is ordered until it is agreed.
- Work moves through checkpoints, and each one is verified and photographed before the next stage starts.
- Changes are written down and approved before the work continues.
- You receive a full record at handover: scope, photos, documents and the close-out.
- Permits, licences and new-home rules are confirmed for each project, not assumed.
1. Are you planning a new build or addition?
2. Are you changing rooms or finishes in a home or business?
3. Is there damage from water, mould or fire?
Table of contents
- What happens on the first call?
- What happens at the site visit?
- How is the scope written?
- What are the checkpoints, and why do they matter?
- Who runs the job?
- How are changes handled?
- What do you receive at handover?
- How long does a project take?
- What about permits and new-home rules?
- How do I start?
- How is the price set?
- How is safety handled on site?
- What should I prepare before the site visit?
- How do I stay informed during the work?
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
- Related services and guides
What happens on the first call?
The first call is about what you want to happen and why. We ask about the building, the rooms or the damage, your timeline, and whether there are plans or photos. We do not quote from a phone call, because the scope needs the site.
- You tell us the goal. Build, renovate, restore, inspect, or pick your selections.
- We confirm the path. We tell you which team leads, and what the next step is.
- We book the site visit. The booking is in the calendar and confirmed in writing.
If there is damage or an active leak, tell us on the first call so the urgent steps come first.
If there is damage, see our restorations service. For a renovation, see renovations.
What happens at the site visit?
At the site visit we walk the space with you, measure what matters, and record the existing conditions with photos. We look at access, the services, the structure, and anything that will affect the scope or the schedule.
- Measurements and photos of every area in the scope.
- A check of services: power, water, gas, drainage and ventilation.
- Notes on access, parking, working hours and protection needs.
- Questions for you about finishes, budget and timing.
The visit ends with a clear list of what we will confirm in writing.
How is the scope written?
The scope is the written list of what will be done, what is kept, and who is responsible for each item. Each item has an owner, an agreed selection or specification, and a status: agreed, to confirm, or not included.
What the scope contains
- Every area, room or system in the work.
- Every trade, supplier and product, named.
- Every item that is not included, so the scope stops where it says.
- The sequence of the work and the points where you approve.
Nothing is ordered from a verbal agreement. The scope is the reference for the price, the schedule and the handover.
See how a scope is applied to renovations and builds.
What are the checkpoints, and why do they matter?
Work moves through checkpoints called gates. At each gate, the items in that stage are verified against the scope and photographed before the next stage begins. A gate is not a formality: it is where problems are caught while they are still small.
Each gate ends with a record: what was checked, what was found, and any change that was approved.
Gates apply to every service, including restorations and inspections.
Who runs the job?
One lead is accountable for your project from start to handover. The lead manages the schedule, the trades, the suppliers and the record, and supervises the site. The trades are brought in for the work they do best, and they work to the same scope.
- One lead, named before work starts.
- Trades and suppliers checked before they join the job.
- Specialists and inspectors brought in where the work needs them.
- Daily updates in writing for the people who need them.
How are changes handled?
Changes happen. A wall hides a pipe, a material is not available, or you want a different finish. Every change is described in writing, priced and approved before the work continues. Nothing changes on a verbal request.
This keeps the budget honest and the schedule realistic, and it means you can see what changed and why at handover.
What do you receive at handover?
At handover you receive the complete project record, so the job can be checked against the scope at any time.
- The final scope and the register, with each item marked complete.
- Photos from every gate, and the before and after photos.
- The approved changes and the reasons for them.
- Inspection, certificate and warranty documents where they apply.
- A walkthrough with your lead, and a written close-out.
The handover record for an inspection is covered in our inspections service.
How long does a project take?
The timeline depends on the scope, the approvals, the materials and the trades. A small renovation and a new build run on very different clocks. We set the timeline in the scope, and we show the critical steps at the site visit.
What about permits and new-home rules?
Some work needs a permit, and some new homes need to be registered before they are built. We confirm what applies to your project in the scope, not after the work has started.
- Anyone who plans to build or sell a new home in Ontario must be licensed by HCRA and must apply to Tarion to enrol the home. An Enrolment Confirmation is needed for each new home (Tarion, Qualification for Enrolment).
- Zoning and preliminary zoning reviews are handled through the City of Toronto (City of Toronto, zoning and preliminary zoning reviews).
- Heritage properties may have extra steps (City of Toronto, heritage preservation).
We will tell you which of these apply to your project, and what they mean for the schedule.
For new builds and additions, see our builds service.
How do I start?
Book a site visit, or call. Have ready the goal, the address, any plans or photos, and your timeline. If there is damage or an active leak, say so first. The sooner we see the site, the sooner the scope is in writing.
Next step: book a site visit. We walk the job with you and put the scope, the price basis and the schedule in writing before any work is ordered.
How is the price set?
The price is set from the written scope, not from a rough estimate. Each item in the scope has a basis: the materials, the labour, the trades, and the allowances. Where a cost depends on something we cannot see until work opens up, the scope says so, and it names the allowance we used.
You see the price basis before you commit, and you see every change, with its cost, before it is approved. That is how the budget stays honest. We do not publish a fixed price on this page, because each project depends on its own scope.
How is safety handled on site?
Every site has its own risks, and the scope names them before work starts. Protection, containment, clear access routes and the safe handling of materials are part of the scope, not extras. Where a trade needs its own safety plan, the lead confirms it is in place before that trade begins.
Workers and the household both stay in view of the lead. If an area is unsafe, work stops there until it is made safe, and the stop is recorded.
What should I prepare before the site visit?
A short list makes the first visit more useful, and it means the scope is closer to right on the first pass. You do not need everything below, and missing items are fine.
- The address and the access details, including parking and any building rules.
- Any plans, drawings, surveys or past inspection reports.
- Photos or videos of the areas you want changed, or the damage you want assessed.
- Your timeline, and any dates that cannot move, such as a move-in or an opening.
- A rough budget range, so we can show you the options that fit.
If you do not have plans, we can measure and draw the space as part of the visit.
How do I stay informed during the work?
You get updates in writing on a set schedule, with photos at each gate. The update tells you what was done, what is next, and anything that needs your decision. Questions are answered in writing, so there is a record of every decision.
If something urgent comes up on site, the lead calls you the same day. The call is confirmed in writing afterwards, so the decision is recorded.
Frequently asked questions
Do you give a price on the phone?
No. The scope needs the site. We give a price basis after the site visit, in writing.
Will I always have the same contact?
Yes. One lead is named for your project, and that person is your contact until handover.
What if something changes during the work?
The change is written down, priced and approved before the work continues.
Do you do the permits?
We confirm what applies, and we coordinate the drawings and approvals that the project needs. We will confirm exactly what we handle for your project in the scope.
Can I visit the site during the work?
Yes, by arrangement. Visits are coordinated with the lead so the work and the safety rules are respected.
What do I get at the end?
The full project record: scope, photos, approved changes, documents and the close-out.
Sources
- Tarion, Qualification for Enrolment (new home registration and HCRA licence requirements): tarion.com.
- City of Toronto, Zoning By-law and Preliminary Zoning Reviews: toronto.ca.
- City of Toronto, Heritage Preservation: toronto.ca.
Related services and guides
Room by room, scoped in writing.Restorations
Find the source, dry, restore.Builds and structure
New homes, additions and rebuilds.
The Builders Plug
Call or text: (416) 639-1990
Email: info@thebuildersplug.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm
Service area: the Greater Toronto Area and beyond