Been quiet around this forum.

Anyway, our loft reno is one more step closer to death.

We sat down with our designer and contractor a few weeks ago to cut down on things. The contractor was asking $55k. Designer was asking $30k, includes cabinets and millwork. Appliances were all extra. As previously mentioned, total around $90k.

After our meeting, we cut out stuff -- minimal renos to the upstairs, no Nuheat, etc. We also moved some responsibility from the contractor's team on to the designer's team. Things like finishing work, glass work, etc. After doing that, the contractor came back with a revised quote: $62k. Yes, after our budget reduction meeting, his price actually went UP from $55k up to $62k, instead of down.

So, now we're looking at close to $100k. This pretty much kills it. It's quite depressing. It's not like we're asking for anything extravagant. I guess that's just what the going rate for labour is nowadays. Sigh.

Going back to the topic of Crosstown (ie Chinatown/Gastown), we popped into the [url href=http://www.33living.ca]33 Living[/url] presentation office. The architect is [url href=http://www.actonostry.ca/]Acton Ostry[/url], who did the Siple House, which was featured in Dwell a little while back. 1000sqft is $700,000. SNass, I think you're onto something.

Hi,

I logged in for the first time to this site and read your RE: condo renovation with a lot of interest. We just bought a townhouse about 1000 sqft and planning to renovate it. We live in Seattle now and are in the process of moving up to Vancouver, BC. Just started to look for a designer. Didn't know how to even find one...
Hope that your project is starting to move along.
It is pretty confusing to try finding a designer in a city we don't live in yet.
Do you have any other suggestions about finding a designer? I just sent an inquiry to Ms. Kelly Deck. But any additional suggestions are really appreciated! I have never participated in forum or chat or anything, so I hope that I am doing this in an OK way..

Hi Billie,

I don't have any recommendations on finding a designer. From my ordeal in finding one, I'm obviously not the right guy to ask. In the end, I found ours thru my cousin, who himself is an architect.

I saw your other posting, and I'll reply some more on that thread.

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.
Since you already have an architectural plan done by your cousin, this probably doesn't apply. But, someone suggested to me that I try contacting architects who does remodeling also. I am starting with AIBC. Thanks and good luck with your project!