Existing Conditions & Risk Assessment Visit

A structured on-site review of your cottage or secondary home to document existing conditions, identify hidden risks, and help you decide how to move forward before demolition or major design work begins.

Is This the Right Starting Point?

Many renovations and additions are priced and designed based on assumptions. Once walls are opened or foundations are exposed, unknown issues appear—and budgets, schedules, and confidence take the hit.

An Existing Conditions & Risk Assessment is a good fit if:

  • You’re planning a substantial renovation, addition, or rebuild—not just cosmetic updates.

  • Your cottage or home is older, has had multiple renovations, or has “mystery” issues (settlement, moisture, drafts, ice dams, musty smells).

  • You want a builder with a building-science mindset to look beyond minimum code and real-estate photos.

  • You’d like clear, documented findings before committing to final design, pricing, or construction.

What You’ll Receive

This is a structured assessment, not a quick look around. When you book an Existing Conditions & Risk Assessment, you can expect:

  • Discovery & intake questionnaire
    Before the visit, you’ll complete a short, structured questionnaire about the property, its history, your concerns, and your goals. This ensures our time on site is focused on what matters most.

  • On-site consultation and walkthrough
    A detailed walkthrough of the building and site, with a focus on structure, envelope, moisture risks, previous work, and potential problem areas.

  • Existing conditions photo log
    A curated photo record of key areas, assemblies, and concerns that you can reference later and share with designers, engineers, or insurers.

  • Existing conditions notes & observations
    Written field notes in plain language summarizing what we observed on site, what looks sound, and where we see red or yellow flags.

  • Risk summary & priority matrix
    A concise summary of the main risks we’ve identified, organized into a “high / medium / low” priority view so you know what needs attention first.

  • Recommended testing & investigation list
    Suggestions for further diagnostics where appropriate (for example, blower door testing, thermal imaging, moisture readings, structural review, or septic inspection).

  • Action list / next steps checklist
    A practical list of next steps for you—and, where appropriate, your designer or other professionals—so you’re not left wondering what to do with the information.

  • Meeting summary & email recap
    A written recap tying together the findings, priorities, and next steps, sent by email for your records and for easy sharing with your project team.

How the Process Works

Step 1

Share your project details

On the next page, you’ll tell us about your property, the scale of work you’re considering, and any specific issues or areas of concern.

Step 2

Book a free 15-minute consultation call

Once you submit your details, you’ll go to our calendar to book a short call. This call is free and is used to confirm fit, refine what you actually need, and make sure we recommend the right level of assessment—before any costs are incurred.

Step 3

Confirm fee and schedule the site visit

If it makes sense to proceed, we’ll confirm the scope and fee for the assessment, send you an invoice, and once payment has been received, we’ll schedule your on-site visit.

Step 4

Receive your findings and next-step plan

After the visit, you’ll receive your photo log, notes, risk summary, recommendations, and action list so you can move forward with confidence.

Typical Investment by Project Type

Most Existing Conditions & Risk Assessments fall within the ranges below

(all amounts + HST)

On-site visit length refers to the time spent at the property. Additional time is invested before and after your visit to review information, document findings, and prepare your notes, photo log, and recommendations.

Single area

(bathroom, kitchen, or similar limited scope)

$850–$950

~90 minutes

Smaller interior renovation or partial cottage

(under 1,500 sq. ft.)

$950–$1,150

~2–3 hours

Larger interior renovation or addition

(1,500–3,000 sq. ft.)

$1,050–$1,300

~3–4 hours

Whole cottage / home or complex project

(over 3,000 sq. ft. or multiple structures)

$1,250–$1,450+

~4 hours or more, depending on complexity

These are guidelines, not hard quotes. During your free 15-minute consultation call, we’ll:

  • Confirm which band makes sense for your project

  • Discuss any optional upgrades that might add value

You’ll know the expected fee and session length before you decide to proceed.

Professional, modern, luxury contracting for Muskoka cottages

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