FAQ


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Some Common Questions People Ask Us

In BC, a Registered Architect isn’t required for most single-family homes. Architects are licensed to design complex buildings—like hospitals or towers—but typically don’t focus on residential work.

Home designers—like our team at SGDI—specialize in single-family homes. We’re trained in residential design, bylaws, and permitting. Most BC homes were designed by home designers, not architects. Since 2009, this has been our sole focus, and we bring deep experience to every project.

Not always—but for major renovations or new builds, a designer can make all the difference. We’ve completed over a thousand projects and know how to prevent problems before they start.

A designer doesn’t just help pick finishes—we create technical drawings and specifications your builder relies on. Without that clarity, you risk delays, budget surprises, and mismatched expectations.

We’re like design insurance—saving you time, avoiding mistakes, and helping your home turn out even better than imagined.

As early as possible—ideally alongside your architect or home designer, before submitting for permits.

Interior designers see things from a different angle and can spot layout and flow improvements early on. Many clients benefit from our fully integrated approach, where we handle both home and interior design from the start, for a seamless, cohesive result.

Our pricing depends on your unique project’s scope and complexity. We’re not the cheapest (and we don’t aim to be), nor are we anywhere near the most expensive, but we focus on value: thoughtful design, clear expectations, and cost certainty.

We’ve completed countless projects since 2009, and we always provide a fee range upfront that we honour. Design is the most influential cost in your project—great design sets everything else up for success.

Yes—if your budget aligns with your project’s scope. We’ll help you get the best result for your investment and guide decisions to stay on track.

If the budget is too low to realistically achieve your goals, we’ll be upfront. We may pause or decline the project if expectations and feasibility aren’t aligned—we value transparency and want the process to be smooth and successful for everyone.

That’s up to you. Most clients trust us to manage the details and save them time, while still delivering a result that reflects their vision.

We’ll involve you at key milestones, but we handle the research, planning, and coordination behind the scenes. Our goal is to make decision-making easy and efficient; presenting you with curated options that feel right, without the overwhelm.

While we love working collaboratively, clients who prefer to be heavily involved in every step—such as accompanying them to multiple stores or revisiting decisions repeatedly—may find our streamlined process isn’t the best fit. If you value a thoughtful, efficient, and time-saving approach, you’ll likely love working with us. If you want a shopping buddy, you probably won’t.

Enjoy a sneak peek at one part of the process by viewing our Design Library Video.

Yes—we manage permits for all renovations and many new builds. While some firms leave this to the homeowner, we know how stressful that can be.

We’re experienced with local requirements and can handle permitting efficiently—saving you time, frustration, and potential delays. If permits are needed, we’ll plan for them early.

We focus solely on design. While we don’t manage construction ourselves, we work closely with trusted builders and trades to ensure your design is executed properly.

We strongly recommend hiring a reputable, experienced builder for the construction phase.

Most likely—yes! We’ve collaborated with many builders and contractors across the Lower Mainland and are happy to work with yours. Outside the lower mainland? Not a problem – we have helped design homes on the island, throughout the interior, and outside of British Columbia and Canada.

Many clients choose builders we’ve worked with before, which often means smoother communication and fewer surprises. That said, the choice is always yours, and we’ll support you no matter who you hire.

Let’s Design Your Dream Together

Have a vision or an inquiry? Get in touch with the SGDI team today!

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