# Custom Home Architectural Design Burlington | BCIN > Custom home architectural design in Burlington: concept to permit-ready drawings with 3D renderings, shaped by your lot evaluation. $85K-$180K, BCIN qualified. URL: https://customhomebuilderburlington.ca/custom-home-architectural-design/ ![Architectural elevations and 3D rendering of a custom home in our design studio](/images/misc/architectural-drawings-elevations-and-3d-rendering.webp) BCIN Qualified Est. 2003 # Custom Home Architectural Design Burlington, ON | Drawings + Renderings Last updated: October 13, 2026 Our design team starts from the lot evaluation, not a blank page, so every concept already fits the setback envelope, height limits and any Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment Commission constraints. Our estimators review each design iteration, so the house you fall in love with is one you can afford to build. You review 3D renderings before drawings are finalized, and permit-ready sets are prepared by BCIN-qualified designers with structural engineering coordinated in-house. A full drawing set with renderings typically costs $85K to $180K. Typical range $85K-$180K per full drawing set + renderings Timeline 8-14 weeks design phase, overlapping permit preparation Request a Free Lot Evaluation [#lot-evaluation-form →](#lot-evaluation-form) Direct Desk: (647) 277-2001 [tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001) 14-18W Permit Speed 7-Year Tarion Warranty $5M Liability + WSIB Request received Thanks, we have your lot details. We will call you back within 24 hours during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm). Need us sooner? Call (647) 277-2001 [tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001) . Free Lot Review ## Discreet Assessment and Lot Review Find out if your lot works before you spend on drawings. 24-hour callback during business hours. - 14-18 Week Permits - Tarion 7-Year Warranty - $5M Liability + WSIB - OHBA Member - BCIN Part 9 - Since 2003 What We Do ## What Is Included in Custom Home Architectural Design? Our design team starts from the lot evaluation, not a blank page, so every concept already fits the setback envelope, height limits and any Conservation Halton or NEC constraints. You review 3D renderings before drawings are finalized, and permit-ready sets are prepared by BCIN-qualified designers with structural engineering coordinated in-house. - Concept, design development and permit-ready drawings - 3D renderings before final drawings - Design fitted to By-law 2020 envelope and overlays - BCIN Part 9 qualified design + engineering coordination - Live cost feedback from our estimators at each iteration - SB-12 energy compliance and TGS Tier 1 specification ![3D rendering of a transitional custom home shown in its Burlington streetscape](/images/misc/3d-rendering-of-transitional-custom-home-exterior-.webp) Architectural Design $85K-$180K per full drawing set + renderings Includes ConceptDesign development3D renderingsPermit drawingsEngineering coordination Timeline 8-14 weeks design phase, overlapping permit preparation Get a written number for your lot [#lot-evaluation-form →](#lot-evaluation-form) Custom Home Builder Burlington [/ →](/) provides custom home architectural design, 3D renderings, permit-ready drawings and engineering coordination throughout Burlington and Halton Region, backed by 22+ years combined Halton design-build experience. This page explains how our design process works, who can design a house in Ontario, what drawings cost and how we keep design inside your budget. ## What Is Custom Home Architectural Design? Architectural design turns your brief, your lot and your budget into a set of drawings a builder can price, a city can permit and a crew can build. For a custom home, that covers concept design, design development, 3D renderings, construction drawings, structural engineering, mechanical design, energy compliance and the grading plan. What makes our design service different is where it starts. Most design processes begin on a blank page and discover the lot’s limits later, sometimes at permit review. Ours begins with the written lot evaluation [/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/) , so every concept already fits the measured setback envelope, height limits and any regulated areas. ## Who Can Design a House in Ontario? Under the **Ontario Building Code**, houses built under **Part 9** can be designed by a designer with a **BCIN** (Building Code Identification Number) in the appropriate category, as well as by architects and engineers. For most single-family custom homes, a licensed architect is not required. The **Architects Act** reserves certain larger or more complex buildings for architects. Our permit drawings are prepared by BCIN-qualified designers, with structural engineering coordinated in-house. If you already work with an architect, we are glad to build their design under a fixed contract. ## Our Design Process ### 1\. Brief and envelope We start with how you live, what you need now and in 20 years, your budget, and the measured envelope from the lot evaluation. ### 2\. Concept options Two or three massing and floor plan options, each with a rough cost. This is where big decisions happen: one storey or two, walkout or not, which way the glass faces. ### 3\. 3D renderings You see the house before it is drawn in detail, including key interior spaces and how it sits on your street beside the neighbouring houses. ### 4\. Design development Materials, window sizes and specifications, structure and mechanical layout are resolved, and our estimators price the design line by line. ### 5\. Permit-ready drawings Coordinated architectural, structural, HVAC, **SB-12** energy and grading sheets, ready for **Burlington Building Division**. ## Designing Inside the Rules Good residential design in Burlington works within several layers of regulation. **Zoning By-law 2020** sets the envelope. The **Committee of Adjustment** can grant minor variances where a design needs modest relief. **Conservation Halton** regulates lots near creeks and the Lake Ontario shoreline, and the **Niagara Escarpment Plan** applies to lots in the Area of Development Control. The **Halton Region Official Plan** sets the regional framework. Every design is engineered to **OBC Part 9**, specified to **TGS Tier 1** performance and built for **Tarion** enrolment. > **Why coordination matters** > > Burlington sees roughly a 40 percent first-submission revision rate. Most revisions come from drawings that do not agree with each other. Coordinating every sheet in-house before submission is one of the main reasons our projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks. ## Drawing Set Contents | Drawing or document | Purpose | | --- | --- | | Site plan with zoning statistics | Shows compliance with By-law 2020 | | Floor plans | Layout, dimensions, doors and windows | | Elevations | Exterior appearance and heights | | Building sections and wall sections | Construction assemblies and insulation | | Structural drawings | Foundations, framing, beams and steel | | HVAC design | Heating, cooling and ventilation | | SB-12 energy compliance | Confirms the energy efficiency path | | Lot grading plan | Drainage and elevations | | 3D renderings | Visual approval before final drawings | ## Cost Guide: What Drives Design Fees A full drawing set with renderings typically costs **$85K to $180K**. The main drivers are home size and complexity, the number of options explored, the level of interior design detail, and lot conditions that need extra detailing, such as walkouts on ravine lots, shoreline-adjacent foundations or flat-roof drainage. For clients building with us under a design-build contract [/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/) , design is part of the pre-construction agreement and leads directly to a fixed construction price. ## Four Styles, Designed by the Team That Builds Them We design and build four custom home types: - ** Modern [/modern-custom-home-construction/ →](/modern-custom-home-construction/) :** flat or low-slope roofs, large glazing, clean massing. - ** Craftsman [/craftsman-custom-home-construction/ →](/craftsman-custom-home-construction/) :** timber brackets, deep porches, gable rooflines. - **Farmhouse-contemporary:** board-and-batten, standing seam metal roofs, black windows. - **Transitional:** traditional forms with quieter detailing. Because the same company designs and builds, details are drawn the way our crews build them, which is where quality and budget control really come from. Transparent Pricing ## How Much Does Custom Home Architectural Design Cost in Burlington? Typical range: $85K-$180K per full drawing set + renderings. You receive a line-item price on letterhead before you sign, and no change order happens without your written approval. Deposit Only the lot evaluation fee before contract, then 10 percent at signing. Five milestone draws Permit, excavation, framing, mechanical rough-in and final occupancy. Change orders None without your written approval. Finish allowances are written into the contract. | Feature | Typical Provider | Custom Home Builder Burlington | | --- | --- | --- | | Starting point | Blank page | Measured envelope from the lot evaluation | | Cost feedback | After design, at tender | At every design iteration | | Visualization | 2D drawings | 3D renderings including streetscape | | Engineering | Separate consultant, coordinated late | Coordinated in-house before submission | Estimate your own budget with the custom home cost estimator [/tools/ →](/tools/) . Why Us ## Why Choose Custom Home Builder Burlington for Architectural Design? A calm, exacting process backed by numbers, by-laws and named projects. ### Design that fits from day one Every concept starts from the measured envelope, so you never fall for a house the lot cannot hold. ### Cost feedback as you design Estimators price each iteration, so trade-offs like a walkout or triple glazing are clear decisions. ### See it before it is drawn 3D renderings, including your street, before drawings are finalized. ### Coordinated for permit Architectural, structural, HVAC and energy sheets are coordinated in-house, which reduces revision cycles. ### Four styles, one team Modern, Craftsman, farmhouse-contemporary and transitional, all designed by the same team that builds them. ### BCIN qualified Permit drawings for Part 9 houses prepared by BCIN-qualified designers. How It Works ## How Does Architectural Design Work? Every step has an owner, a document and a date. 1. 1 ### Brief and envelope Your needs, lifestyle and budget set against the measured envelope from the lot evaluation. Week 1 2. 2 ### Concept options Two or three massing and floor plan options, with rough costs for each. 2-4 weeks 3. 3 ### 3D renderings Exterior and key interior views, including the house in its streetscape. 2-3 weeks 4. 4 ### Design development Materials, windows, structure and mechanical layout resolved and priced. 3-5 weeks 5. 5 ### Permit-ready drawings Coordinated architectural, structural, HVAC, energy and grading sheets. Overlaps permits ## Find out if your lot works before you spend on drawings. Written lot evaluation in about two weeks. No deposit, no construction contract. Request a Free Lot Evaluation [/contact/ →](/contact/) (647) 277-2001 [tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001) Our Work ## Architectural Design: Recent Work Across Halton Site and finished-home photos from our Burlington and Halton projects. Select any image to enlarge. See all projects [/projects/ →](/projects/) Client Experience ## What Clients Say About Our Architectural Design Work Every quote below is from a client who signed a fixed-price contract with us. We do not display a star rating because we have not imported third-party reviews. > "Lot evaluation found a setback problem that saved us $90K in redesign. Written feasibility report in two weeks. Final build 2 percent under contract." **Priya S.**, Headon Forest$1,120K transitional > "Our lot backs onto Grindstone Creek and two other builders told us the house we wanted would not fit. The lot evaluation measured the real top-of-bank setback, the design was shifted 4 metres, and Conservation Halton approved it on the first submission." **Chloe S.**, Aldershot$1,570K modern > "We needed to move before September for the kids' school. The schedule was set around that date in the contract, and we got the keys in mid-August. The heat pump and ERV keep the house even all year, and our first winter of utility bills was a fraction of our old semi in Mississauga. Blower-door results were shared with us at every test." **Daniel and Mei L.**, Alton Village$1,460K Net Zero FAQ ## Architectural Design Questions Straight answers about custom home architectural design in Burlington and Halton. Have a question about your own lot? Request a Free Lot Evaluation [/contact/ →](/contact/) (647) 277-2001 [tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001) How much do custom home architectural drawings cost? A full custom home drawing set with 3D renderings typically costs $85K to $180K in our practice, covering concept design, design development, renderings, permit drawings and engineering coordination. The range depends on the size and complexity of the home, the number of design options you explore, and lot conditions such as regulated areas or steep grades that need extra detailing. Do I need an architect or can a BCIN designer design my home? In Ontario, houses designed under Part 9 of the Building Code can be designed by a BCIN-qualified designer; a licensed architect is not required for most single-family homes. Larger or more complex buildings may require an architect under the Architects Act. Our permit drawings are prepared by BCIN-qualified designers with structural engineering coordinated in-house. If you prefer to work with an architect, we can build their drawings too. Can I bring my own drawings to a design-build contract? Yes. We review existing drawings against the lot evaluation and Zoning By-law 2020, flag any conflicts with the setback envelope or conservation limits, coordinate missing engineering and then price and build them under a fixed contract. How long does the design phase take? The design phase typically takes 8 to 14 weeks from brief to permit-ready drawings, depending on the number of options and decisions. Permit preparation overlaps with the end of design development, which is part of how we reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks. Will I see 3D renderings before drawings are finalized? Yes. You review exterior and key interior 3D views before design development is finalized, including how the house sits in its streetscape beside neighbouring homes. Changes at this stage cost far less than changes after permit. How do you keep the design inside my budget? Our estimators review each design iteration and show you the cost effect of decisions as you make them, such as adding a walkout, switching to a flat roof, enlarging glazing or upgrading to triple-pane windows. By the end of design, you have a fixed price that matches the drawings. Do you design for accessibility and aging in place? Yes. Main-floor primary suites, step-free entries, wider doorways, curbless showers and elevator rough-ins are planned at concept stage, where they are easiest and least expensive to include. Which styles do you design? We design and build four custom home types: modern, Craftsman, farmhouse-contemporary and transitional. Each can be tailored to your lot and your street. Keep Exploring ## Related Services ![Design-build team reviewing drawings inside a framed custom home in Burlington](/images/misc/design-build-team-reviewing-printed-custom-home-dr.webp) Core Builds [/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/) ### Design-Build Custom Home [/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/) $1M-$3M One contract, one team and one fixed price from lot evaluation to occupancy. No handoffs between architect, engineer and builder. Fixed price . Tarion Details [/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/) ![Measuring setbacks with survey stakes on an empty Burlington lot](/images/misc/builder-measuring-setbacks-with-tape-and-survey-st.webp) Permits + Lot [/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/) ### Custom Home Lot Evaluation [/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/) $4K-$12K A written feasibility report on your lot before any contract: what you can build, what it will cost and what could stop it. Fixed price . Tarion Details [/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/) ![Permit drawing set with site plan and grading plan on a desk in our Burlington office](/images/misc/permit-drawing-set-with-site-plan-grading-plan-and.webp) Permits + Lot [/building-permit-application/ →](/building-permit-application/) ### Burlington Building Permit Application [/building-permit-application/ →](/building-permit-application/) $8.5K-$24K Our in-house expeditor prepares, submits and tracks your permit, variance and agency approvals on one desk. Fixed price . Tarion Details [/building-permit-application/ →](/building-permit-application/) ![Modern flat-roof custom home with cedar and blackened steel in Aldershot at dusk](/images/misc/modern-flat-roof-custom-home-with-cedar-vertical-s.webp) Core Builds [/modern-custom-home-construction/ →](/modern-custom-home-construction/) ### Modern Custom Home Construction [/modern-custom-home-construction/ →](/modern-custom-home-construction/) $1.4M-$3.2M Contemporary homes with flat or low-slope roofs, large glazing and clean massing, detailed for Ontario snow and freeze-thaw. Fixed price . Tarion Details [/modern-custom-home-construction/ →](/modern-custom-home-construction/) ![](/images/misc/custom-home-framing-at-golden-hour-on-established-.webp) Start With the Lot ## Ready to price your architectural design project? Book a written lot evaluation. You get zoning, setback envelope, Conservation Halton and Niagara Escarpment flags and a realistic budget, typically within two weeks, before any construction contract. Request a Free Lot Evaluation [/contact/ →](/contact/) Call (647) 277-2001 [tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001) - No obligation - 24-hour callback - Fixed price before you sign - Tarion registered