Home-Based residential designer for additions and renovations

Homeowners planning an addition or renovation, small builders, and landlords adding secondary suites.

Fixed fee per project or per drawing stage (measured survey, concept, permit drawings), plus hourly rates for changes and revisions.

• Design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp or Chief Architect
• Knowledge of the building code and local zoning
• Clear communication with homeowners and builders

• You usually cannot call yourself an 'architect' unless registered with your provincial regulator, so check title rules
• Some provinces and project types require registered or stamped drawings, or a designer qualification, so check what you may do alone and when an architect or engineer must be involved
• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, plus commercial general liability
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the design software, equipment and insurance you choose. Professional liability and commercial general liability cover are worth pricing early.

Estimates typically put monthly revenue at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the number and size of the projects you take on. The idea assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

You usually cannot call yourself an 'architect' unless registered with your provincial regulator, so check title rules. Also check which drawings must be registered or stamped in your province, municipal home-based business licensing, and GST/HST registration once past the small supplier threshold.