Development and Land-Use Consultant for Owners

Landowners, small developers, investors planning infill or multi-unit projects, and families thinking of adding a secondary suite or laneway home.

A fixed fee for a feasibility study, or an hourly or monthly retainer for managing the project through approvals. Some work comes through referrals from architects, lawyers and mortgage brokers.

• Reading zoning bylaws and site plans
• Costing and project budgeting
• Dealing with municipal staff
• Report writing and presenting

• Protected professional titles: terms like planner, engineer or architect are regulated in many provinces, so check what you can call yourself
• Professional liability (errors and omissions) and commercial general liability insurance
• If you also buy, sell or broker properties, a real estate licence may be needed, so check with your provincial regulator
• Approval timelines and the property market can change, so projects may stall and income can be uneven
• Register for GST/HST once your revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your insurance, software, reports and marketing. Treat this as an estimate and cost out your own needs before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the projects you take on and your fees. The estimates assume at least 20 hours a week, and approval delays can make income uneven.

Check which professional titles are protected in your province, such as planner, engineer or architect. Also check professional liability and commercial general liability insurance, whether a real estate licence is needed if you broker properties, and GST/HST registration.