Mark H Smith Designs Inc.

Formerly Markedly Better Design, Drafting & Permit Services
Drafting Service
Toronto ON M5R 2P7
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Drafting Service
Mark H Smith Designs Inc.
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Reviews for Mark H Smith Designs Inc.

Average customer rating:
9.7 10 (41 reviews)

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Private User
Private User
Private User reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Design drawings for whole home renovation and acquisition of building permits

We bought a semi in the Beaches with the intent to add on to the home and renovate. Mark worked through various iterations with us, excellent advice on what we could or could not do....the easiest route to a building permit. Excellent design ideas, very easy to work with and always on time. Highly recommend Mark's services for your architectural design needs.

Approximate cost of services:
$10,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you J for your Kind words, you and your partner were a pleasure to work with on this project. I am glad that we were able to work through the options of providing a two storey rear addition as well as underpinning the existing building or providing more extensive interior alterations and then clearly determining a design and permit approach that you both were very satisfied with. I am also glad that the building department smoothly processed and approved this project ahead of schedule and you are both now ready for the upcoming construction stage. I wish you and your partner all the best throughout the coming construction stage and I look forward to seeing the finished project soon.

Oliver in Toronto
Oliver in Toronto
0 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Large Scale Home Renovation

Mark was a pleasure to work with. He made me feel like I was his top priority even though he had many projects on the go. Communicating with him was fast, easy and I always felt like he understood my vision. Having worked with architects in the past who insisted on doing things their way, I came to appreciate Mark's flexibility (and patience) with my involvement in the process. I also learned that I could trust his judgement. Every time a tough choice needed to be made, Mark was prepared with solutions and experience based reasons to guide the decision making. Now that the design process is over, I couldn't be happier with the results. My builder even commented several times on how good the drawings are and is eager to work with Mark in making my new home a reality. Highly recommended.

Approximate cost of services:
$30,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the kind words Oliver. It was a pleasure to work with you on this project and I appreciate you persistence in thoughtfully working through each decision as we went step by step towards a final design and then obtained this project’s building permits. I am glad to hear that the builder is getting ready to begin construction and is satisfied with the drawings package they will be working with throughout construction. I look forward to seeing your new home become a reality soon.

Tagwerk
Tagwerk
0 reviews Miller Lake, ON
10/10

Lead design, planning, permitting of minimalistic farmhouse in controlled developed zone

Mark H Smith guided our journey to build our new home, from start to finish. From listening to our needs, wants, evaluating options, to concepts, budget realities and all permits. The permitting process was complex being in a special development zone of the Niagara Escarpment.

We highly rate Marks professional service, transparent process with the highest governance applied. Yet being personal and easy to deal with.

Approximate cost of services:
$15,000.00
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Company Response

Tagwerk, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate all of the excitement, courageous questions and careful decision making that you and your partner contributed along each step of this journey as I led us from possibilities to plans to permits for this replacement farmhouse as your future home. I wish you a smooth construction stage ahead and I look forward to seeing you in this finished home in the not too distant future.

our_home
our_home
2 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement Design and Permit Process

We had a great experience working with Mark and highly recommend his services. He is very thorough and professional, and seems to understand the permitting process very well which allowed him to provide helpful advice to us, which I consider value add. He also possesses a technical knowledge that was helpful to us in making some key design decisions on our project. Our building permit was issued with no issues (or even questions) from the City.

Approximate cost of services:
$3,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the kind words, it was a pleasure to work with you and your partner on this project and navigate designing an underpinned finished basement that best served both of your needs in the future within your cozy semidetached home. I wish you both a smooth transition into the coming construction phase and am excited for when the finished basement is ready for you both to enjoy.

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

2nd Floor Addition

I retained Mark to design a 2nd story addition above a tandem garage. Mark efficiently guided through the Committee of Approval and Building Permit process despite a few miscues/delays from the City. Mark is very diligent and through, I would highly recommend his services, in so much that I already have lined him up for another project down the road.

Approximate cost of services:
$12,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the kind words B, it was a pleasure to work with you on this project and I am glad that even with a unfriendly building department examiner creating some delays, we could work through each step of this project's requirements and obtain minor variances and permits for exactly what you wanted to build. I look forward to seeing the completed second floor addition and wish you all the best throughout the upcoming construction stage for this project.

Andris P
Andris P
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

New home design, permit submissions

Words can not describe how pleased we are with Mark's work. Upon our first meeting to discuss design ideas he paid special attention to every detail of our vision. Mark was able to reproduce that vision perfectly. Looking after all the necessary requirements for obtaining city permits made this project enjoyable for us, the amount of knowledge needed to navigate the permit process is confusing, we would, with out a doubt, not been able to do it ourselves. Mark was always very responsive to any and all enquires we had and with his expertise gave us suggestions that were well thought out and never made any part of the design process confusing or stressful. I can't stress enough that MARK IS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL AT WHAT HE DOES!

Approximate cost of services:
$10,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you Andris for the kind words, you and your family and kids were so wonderful to work with on this project. Designing, drafting and obtaining all of required permits for a new home construction of a two storey building and basement to replace the existing bungalow was a big project indeed and I am glad that although some bumps came up along the way, we could smoothly work through every change and challenge to provide your family with exactly what you envisioned as your future family home. I wish you and your family all the best for the upcoming construction phase of this project.

JB in Toronto
JB in Toronto
3 reviews Whitchurch Stouffville, ON
10/10

Design for Home Renovation

We hired Mark for an extensive home renovation project. The home that he created professional designs for was a 1970's sidesplit. Mark was very professional the entire time he worked with us. He asked about our needs and a wish list. He listened attentively and followed through with all our requests. He also provided his professional opinions allowing us to make informed decisions. Throughout the entire project Mark was extremely punctual. His thorough and clear communication over emails, phone calls, and ZOOM calls helped make what could be a stressful experience, an exciting one. Mark, this first part of our project went smoothly due to your professional dealings and expertise, and for that we thank you. If you are looking for someone who is reliable and knowledgeable Mark is your guy! We highly recommend him.

Approximate cost of services:
$9,000.00
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Company Response

Wow, Thank you JB, I am so grateful to have worked with you and your wife KB on this project. It was a pleasure working with you both and am glad we could draft your dreams into a set of drawings and permits for a new third floor addition as well as a completely renovated existing building that you are both excited to live in and grow with. Good luck with the construction stages ahead.

Leigh Ann
Leigh Ann
0 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Architectural drawings/permit applications for our basement underpinning project

Mark is who you want in your corner for your next project! As a person who has never taken on a project like this before I could not have done it with out Mark’s expertise, vision and exceptional customer service and communication skills. From the onset he was very personable and made it a priority to let us know that this was our project and he was here to help make this dream a reality for us. He really listened and included all members of our family to ensure that he had a good understanding of what our desires are. He worked diligently with us to design the most of our space including all the little details that we requested. I can not emphasize enough that what makes Mark stand out from others is his exceptional communication and customer service skills.

Approximate cost of services:
$3,000.00
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Company Response

Wow, thank you Leigh Ann for the kind words. It has been a pleasure to work with you and all of your family to make your big renovation dream a reality. I am excited to see this project move onto the construction phase with approved building permits and look forward to seeing all of your family enjoying the finished space in the not too distant future.

ironart in Toronto
ironart in Toronto
2 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

House Facelift

Right from the first call Mark demonstrated his great ability to listen and understand our needs in wanting to renovate the front of our house. There a great ability to interpret our wishes and translate them to a well polished design with detailed plans.
The real bonus was having Mark obtain the building permits for us. His attention to the details and patience are top notch, especially during covid times.

Approximate cost of services:
$5,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you for the kind words Oliver, you and your family were wonderful to work with on this project and I am so glad that although it was an enduring challenge to navigate the required minor variances through the Committee of Adjustments during the co-vid pandemic, we persisted until completion. It is great to know that you now have all of the required drawings and permits you'll need for upgrading the front porch as well as rebuilding the rear addition to better suit your family's needs. I look forward to seeing the finished project and wish you a smooth construction phase as you continue to move forward with this work.

Simon & Annie
Simon & Annie
1 review Vaughan, ON
10/10

Home Renovation - Design to Permit

Mark is a consummate professional. He guided us with care from drafting remodelling plans (involving structural engineering and hvac redesign) to permit approval. He never shun from any concerns or question we had, even post job. Mark is fair and trustworthy with estimates and payments. Thank you for the care and environment-of-ease you provided during our project! Will definitely work with you again.

Approximate cost of services:
$5,000.00
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Company Response

Wow, thank you for the kind words Simon and Annie, it has been a pleasure working with all three of you. I need to bring in your son here and acknowledge his continuous efforts that helped create that environment-of-ease you both felt throughout this project. Team work truly made this dream design work. You have a wonderful son! I am glad to hear that you both felt recognized, at ease and able to communicate with me throughout this project. That is what matters most in the service I provide to my clients. I am also glad that we worked with and through the multiple co-vid delays to obtain all of the permits needed for this project to begin construction. I am excited to imagine all three of you sitting in the sun in the rear yard of your newly renovated home when all of the construction is complete later this year.

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Mark H Smith Designs Inc.

Mark H Smith Designs Inc. specializes in designing homes, drafting the necessary construction drawings and then filing them for the required building permits. This includes designing for new buildings, renovations, additions, garages, basement conversions into secondary suites and single family home conversions into multiple units. We also provide client support and representation where a minor variance or minor variances are required by the Committee of Adjustment.
Are you curious to learn more about the best ways you can take your project from possibilities to plans to permits? We have answers & resources to help you.
Visit us on our website at https://www.markhsmith.ca
If you would prefer to start a conversation or receive direct feedback that considers the custom context of your project and then offers you the best next steps to get started or learn more about your options, please email us at info@markHsmith.ca or give us a call 647 609 0333 and we can work through the details of your upcoming project together.

CATEGORIES
Drafting Service
SPECIALITIES
Design, Drafting and Permit Services for: • Custom Home Design • Residential Additions and Renovations • In-Law Suite or Apartment • Accessory Buildings & Structures • Retroactive Permits
WEBSITE
https://www.markhsmith.ca
YEAR ESTABLISHED
2014
PAYMENT METHOD
Cheque, Interac E-Transfer, Credit Card
LICENSES
BCIN Registered # 46896
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Yes
PROJECT RATE
Fixed Fee Proposal
WRITTEN CONTRACT
Yes
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