Visit our Fire Safety Website! www.Ottawafiresafety.ca Building Retrofits A thorough retrofit gives you a chance to audit your building’s energy performance. The retrofits you undertake can reduce your building’s operational costs – particularly if it is older – as well as help attract tenants and gain a market edge. Click here for our Fire Safety Website!

R. Viau Drafting & Design Ltd. has maintained fire safety plans for the majority of Ottawa since the 80s.  Our fire safety experts are well-versed and experienced in creating: evacuation plans, fire safety reports, fire safety plans, fire safety strategies, and building updates to current fire safety codes. We also perform building inspections. Fire Safety Plans R. Viau Drafting & Design Ltd. has maintained fire safety plans for the majority of Ottawa since the early 80s. Click here for our Fire Safety Website!

R. VIAU DRAFTING & DESIGN LTD. Secondary Dwelling Unit Costs TYPICAL COSTS AND ASSISTANCE Efficient way to clear your mortgage Additional / Secondary Dwelling Units (legal basement units / SDU's / ADU's) have become increasingly popular in Ottawa and Ontario for a very good reason. Converting a basement into a separate unit will allow you to settle your mortgage more efficiently and offer more crucial housing to the residents of Ottawa. With years of experience under our belt, we help all of our clients obtain legal additional / secondary units. Finishes and Appliances The appliances and finishes you choose in your kitchens, bathrooms, floors, etc have a huge impact on the cost of your new units. Code Requirements Requirements such as egress windows, concrete basement walk-outs and window wells can influence the total cost. What can influence the costs Typical General Costs Depending on the size of your unit and the amount of bedrooms, you can expect a general cost of $60,000 to $120,000. Wondering if your home is suitable for an SDU? Click here for our inspection page! New Financial Assistance by the Government Mortgage Reforms Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program Mortgage Reforms Today's mortgage reforms are designed to make it easier for homeowners to add secondary suites—such as basement apartments, in-law suites, and laneway homes—building on the federal government’s recent announcement of the most significant mortgage reforms in decades. These reforms are aimed at unlocking homeownership opportunities for Canadians of all generations. Starting December 15, 2024 , Canadians will be able to apply for reformed mortgages, resulting in lower monthly payments. Key changes include: 1. Raising the Insured Mortgage Cap: The $1 million price cap for insured mortgages will be increased to $1.5 million to reflect the current housing market and enable more Canadians to qualify for mortgages with a down payment of less than 20%. This cap, which has remained unchanged since 2012, will allow more Canadians to purchase homes within their financial reach. 2. Expanding 30-Year Mortgage Amortizations: The eligibility for 30-year mortgage amortizations will be extended to all first-time homebuyers and those purchasing new builds, reducing monthly payments and helping more Canadians afford homeownership. This expansion includes both new construction and condominiums. The move is designed to incentivize the building of more homes and address the ongoing housing shortage, in line with the Budget 2024 commitment, which also allows first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds to access 30-year amortizations starting August 1, 2024. These reforms aim to help more Canadians secure affordable homes while also encouraging the construction of additional / secondary dwelling units, which can provide much-needed rental options and support multi-generational living. Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program Ontario's Secondary Suite Incentive Program is an initiative designed to encourage the creation of secondary suites (also known as accessory apartments or in-law suites) within existing homes. The program is aimed at increasing the availability of affordable rental housing in the province by making it easier for homeowners to build or convert basements, garages, or other spaces into legal secondary units. "Through our Housing Accelerator Fund, we’ve already reformed zoning to make this possible, and today, we’re announcing homeowners will soon be able to access up to $40,000 in low-cost loans to make it easier add secondary suites." - The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Key Features of the program Eligibility Criterias Contact Us! Financial Incentives Under the program, homeowners will have access up to $40,000 in low-interest loans Legalizing Existing Units One of the key goals of the program is to make it easier for homeowners to legalize existing secondary suites that may not be up to current building codes or zoning laws. New Zoning Municipalities may offer some flexibility in their zoning and building code requirements to make it easier for homeowners to add secondary suites. Property Ownership: The homeowner must own the property where the secondary suite will be built or legalized. Suitability of the Property The property must be suitable for a secondary suite, meaning there must be adequate space for the suite and the unit must comply with local zoning laws and building codes. Construction Requirements The program typically supports renovations or construction that result in a safe and legal unit. This includes ensuring proper egress (exit in case of fire), ventilation, and fire safety measures.

R.Viau Drafting & Design has designed and built a multitude of garages for the community of Ottawa since 1985.​​​​​ We have experience with car garages of all kinds (attached / detached, single / double), car-ports, storage garages, sheds, and more. A garage isn't just a place to park a car—it's a multifunctional space that adds convenience, security, and value to everyday life. R.VIAU DRAFTING & DESIGN LTD. CUSTOM GARAGES OVER 35+ YEARS OF SERVICE Garage Plans in Ottawa R.Viau Drafting & Design has designed and built a multitude of garages for the community of Ottawa since 1985. We have experience with car garages of all kinds (attached / detached, single / double), car-ports, storage garages, sheds, and more. A garage isn't just a place to park a car—it's a multifunctional space that adds convenience, security, and value to everyday life. Planning your garage Purpose A garage isn't just about parking - it's about creating a space that fits the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. Some people even convert part of their garage into additional living space, such as a home gym, office, or entertainment area. Size With a quick review, we'll be able to determine what is and what isn't permitted on your lot. Usual rule of thumb is to have a 4' offset from your property line. Design Let us know what aesthetic you wish to accomplish with your finishes such as: the siding, the roof slope, the windows, the garage door, etc. Estimated Costs A single car garage can range from $50,000 - $100,000 A two car garage can range from $90,000 - $140,000 Our process Site Visit Book us for a site visit! We'll review your project's goals and guide you into the right direction. Drafting We'll prepare preliminary plans to begin, then prepare official permit plans once we're happy with a result. Permit Application Once we're set with all the plans, we'll prepare a permit application, submit it and deal with all of the city's comments. Construction To make it even more seamless for our clients, we can also manage all the construction required for your project. Different purposes, different aesthetics Garages come in various styles, each offering different functional and aesthetic advantages depending on the homeowner's needs, the architectural style of the home, and personal preferences. Attached garages Carports Detached garages Sheds

R. Viau Drafting & Design offers tenant fit-up plans in Ottawa with custom layouts, permit-ready drawings, and expert design for commercial spaces of all sizes. R.VIAU DRAFTING & DESIGN LTD. TENANT FIT-UP PLANS OVER 35+ YEARS OF SERVICE Tenant Fit-up plans in Ottawa The team at R.Viau Drafting & Design has helped a multitude of businesses in Ottawa move into leased spaces designed to suit their work. Tenant fit-up plans are created to outline how a commercial or retail space will be customized or renovated to meet the specific needs of a new tenant. These plans are a critical part of the process when a business moves into a leased or rented space and requires modifications to the interior layout, utilities, or design to suit its operations. Customization These plans allow the tenant to customize the space to fit their specific operational requirements, creating a functional environment that supports their business activities. Building Code Compliance Fit-up plans ensure that all changes to the space comply with local building codes and safety regulations. For example, the plans may specify the number of exit doors required based on occupancy load or ensure the layout adheres to fire code requirements. Landlord / Building Owner Approval Fit-up plans are often required by the landlord or building owner before they approve the tenant’s request for changes. They ensure that the alterations won’t damage the building or violate lease agreements and that the building’s infrastructure can support the new layout. Cost Estimation Tenant fit-up plans provide an accurate cost estimate for construction and renovation work. This helps tenants plan their budgets and allows contractors to give quotes for the work based on the detailed plans. Why Are Tenant Fit-Up Plans Important ? Tenant Requirements The tenant specifies their functional needs, aesthetic preferences, and any specialized requirements (equipment, technology, safety systems). Preliminary Plans Our certified designer creates an initial floor plan and layout that incorporates the tenant’s needs and ensures compliance with building codes. Permit Plans & Permit Application Once the design is approved, detailed fit-up plans are created, incorporating all changes, infrastructure upgrades, and compliance requirements. We'll submit for permit and handle all of the city's comments for you! Construction To make things as seamless as it can be for our clients, we also can do all of the construction and deal with all the inspections. Our Typical Process

With local Ottawa architects, engineers and designers by our side, the firm can put together: Construction drawings, Floor plans​ Site Plans Elevations Sections Details Grading plans Workshop drawings, 3D models   Digital renders / animation​​ ​ R.VIAU DRAFTING & DESIGN LTD. ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING OVER 35+ YEARS OF SERVICE Constructions Plans, Engineering Drawings, 3D Modelling, Digital Rendering in Ottawa Planning a residential renovation or conversion? Need BCIN approved building permit sets? We employ architects, designers and engineers who are experts at providing these and other design services. We also work on small commercial projects. We have been serving Ottawa & Ontario with drafting & design services for decades. First things first We offer consulting to figure out what you'll need for the project and what to expect from the city. We also offer zoning reviews - this crucial step confirms your project's limitations before any other drawings / work gets done. Our design services Construction drawings, Floor plans Site Plans Elevations Sections Details Grading plans Workshop drawings, 3D models Digital renders / animation