Technically speaking, there is only one kind of architect in the province of Ontario. Architects design buildings. Many of them do other things as well, even designing other kinds of things, but architects design buildings.

Some confusion arises from the widespread use of the word "architect" in a figurative sense, as in "the architect of his own misfortune," or "the architect of this new policy." Also, there are "Naval Architects" who are very highly skilled and trained people, but they design ships- not buildings.

In the beginning a client will bring me materials that describe the property to be affected. This always includes a survey prepared by a land surveyor. In the most basic terms, the survey tells me how much land I have and the shape of it. A survey usually needs to include topographic information if what I will be doing needs to relate to specific elevations or levels of the land. In the case of work to be done to an existing building I need precise, detailed drawings of the existing structure, which I usually make myself.

Another thing a client needs to give me is an idea of what it is that they want to be built or accommodated. This could be done with a conversation, or it could be detailed in a written program that spells out in more or less detail the things that the client wants. This usually includes the size, function, priorities and style of the building desired.

The third thing I need from clients is some idea of how much money they have or want to spend on a project. The amount of money available to solve the problem, often dictates the approach I have to take. With novice clients, it is not unusual to have the requirements and the budget to be irreconcilable, in which case I advise the clients that they have to adjust either their program or their budget.

In addition to collecting the above materials from the client, I have to investigate the legislation that applies to their site. See items below.

You do if you want to build something, and that may not be the only type of approval you need. This part of the world is one of the most highly regulated when it comes to building buildings, and each jurisdiction has its own regulations for the construction and use of buildings. Some lots may be regulated by more than one level of government through various agencies or ministries, although this is usually the case only adjacent to waterways or large public infrastructure, or in environmentally sensitive areas.

A proposed building that satisfies all the existing requirements of the applicable zoning bylaws is called "as of right". It means that no one has the right to prevent you from building such a thing as long as you obtain the necessary permits and pay the fees to the authorities. Often a client wants to do something that does not conform in some small way to the zoning applicable to their site. If the difference is small enough, there is a permission called a "Minor Variance" that may be obtained from the authority. The process to get a Minor Variance involves notification of your intent to all property owners within about 200 feet of the site, and a public meeting before a politically appointed committee called a Committee of Adjustment, or "C of A". At the meeting any member of the public has the right to speak in favor or in opposition to the project. The committee weighs the arguments for and against, and is required to deliver a decision within 10 days. Anyone who wants to appeal the decision of a C of A can do so within 20 days of the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board, or "OMB". Appeals to the OMB are lengthy, expensive, and frivolous appeals could incur the costs of the proceedings. Nevertheless, for some projects this is the only way. Going to the C of A usually means an extra couple of months in the approvals process.

The range of my services cover a spectrum. At the least I might be called in to advise someone on the suitability of a property they are thinking of buying, what could be done with an existing building, or to help with some decision they need to make. Beyond that someone may want to test the feasibility of building something on a particular lot, but not go any further. This would involve some drawing, but nothing that is meant for construction.

If you want to build a building, the minimum level of service you can obtain is what I call a "Permit Set". A Permit Set is a set of drawings adequate to obtain a building permit, but nothing more. If it isn't required to obtain a permit, it isn't included. This service is for those who want to keep down their professional fees, and who feel that they and their contractor can adequately determine all the details and specifications left out of a Permit Set, and who do not want Field Review (see "Do you inspect the construction site?" above). I do not recommend this route for people with high expectations for their project. For them I recommend what I call "Full Services".

Full Services includes all kinds of things not required for a building permit, but which affect the look and construction of the final product. These are identified on a project-by-project basis, but typically include supplemental detail drawings of the exterior and interior of the building, coordination of electrical, mechanical and other services, detailed specification of fixtures, fittings, and hardware, detailed drawings of built-in furniture and cabinetry, and details of decorative treatments, lighting plans, floor finish plans, review of shop drawings by suppliers, and design of exterior hard landscape elements. Full Services also includes "coordination" or cooperation with other designers or professionals that you might commission like Landscape Architects, Interior Designers and Decorators, Engineers of all types, systems designers, marketing people and others. Full Services results in a much finer level of control over the final product, but because it takes more time, it costs more in professional fees.