What to Expect When You Work With Us
Renovation is a significant commitment — of money, of time, and of trust. Most of the anxiety people feel going in comes from not knowing what to expect.
We've refined our process over 35 years of renovations in Durham Region. Five clear stages, no surprises, and a team that treats your home the way we'd treat our own.
Scroll down to walk through each stage — and the questions we hear most at every step.
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Every project starts with a conversation — no commitment, no pressure. We want to understand what you're trying to accomplish, what your space looks like, and what's realistic within your budget. This can happen by phone, video call, or in person at our showroom in Ajax.
We've been doing this for 35 years. We'll tell you honestly if what you're describing is achievable for the budget you have in mind, or if expectations need adjusting. There's no value in setting you up for a surprise partway through a project.
No. Many of our clients come in with a vague sense of wanting something better — without knowing what that looks like yet. Helping you figure that out is part of what we do. Bring pictures if you have them, but they're not required.
Yes. The initial consultation — whether by phone, video, or showroom visit — is complimentary. There's no obligation, and no cost for the conversation.
No. We're not in the business of high-pressure sales. Renovation is a significant decision and you should take the time you need. Our job at this stage is to give you enough information to make a confident decision — not to rush you into one.
It helps to have a rough sense of your budget range and any photos of spaces you like (from magazines, Instagram, or our portfolio). If you've had a previous quote, bring it. Measurements of your space are useful but not required — we do our own during the in-home assessment.
In-Home Assessment & Design
Once you're ready to move forward, one of our designers visits your home to take precise measurements, assess the existing conditions, and discuss your vision in the actual space. What works on paper doesn't always work in a room — and this is where we catch that early.
From there, our design team develops a detailed plan: layout options, a 3D rendering of what the finished space will look like, and material selections tailored to your style and budget. You'll see it before a single wall comes down.
The 3D rendering is one of the things that sets us apart. You're not imagining a finished kitchen based on a mood board and some samples — you're seeing it rendered in your actual space, with your actual dimensions, with the materials you've chosen. We then build it to match.
Typically 2–4 weeks from the in-home assessment to a complete design presentation with 3D renderings and a detailed quote. More complex projects or those with significant structural changes may take a bit longer.
We revise it. The design presentation is a starting point for a conversation, not a take-it-or-leave-it proposal. We expect to iterate — your feedback shapes the final plan.
Yes. We create detailed 3D renderings of your space so you can see exactly what the finished result will look like before construction begins. This is included in our design process — not an add-on.
Our quotes are detailed and itemized — labour, materials, fixtures, finishes, and any required permits. We don't do vague lump-sum quotes. You should be able to see exactly what you're paying for and compare it accurately to other quotes.
Material Selection
With the design approved and the quote accepted, we move into material selection — and this is where the space really takes shape. You'll visit our showroom to see and touch the materials in person: countertop slabs, tile samples, cabinet door styles, hardware finishes, fixtures.
There's a lot of choice, and it can feel overwhelming without guidance. Our designers walk you through it. We'll help you see how materials work together as a system — not just individually — and flag combinations that read well versus ones that fight each other. We've seen thousands of kitchens and bathrooms come together. That experience matters here.
Our designers help you evaluate options based on durability, maintenance requirements, and how they work together visually. We'll also tell you honestly when something that looks good in isolation won't read well with the other choices you've made. We'd rather have that conversation now than have you disappointed with the result.
Some materials can be changed before they're ordered; others cannot once custom fabrication begins (countertops, for example). We'll be clear at each stage about what's locked in and what still has flexibility. The design presentation process is designed specifically to minimize the chance you'll want to change something major once construction starts.
Yes. If you have specific products in mind, we're happy to work with your selections. We'll advise on compatibility with the overall design and installation requirements.
Yes — we manage all material ordering, track lead times, and coordinate delivery to align with the construction schedule. Custom materials (cabinetry, specialty tile) can have 3–8 week lead times, which we factor into the project timeline from the start.
Construction
This is where most of the anxiety lives — and where our 35 years of experience in Durham Region homes earns its keep. Unlike many renovation companies that hand your project off to subtrades, our own crew handles your renovation end-to-end: demolition, structural work, plumbing, electrical, tile installation, cabinetry, countertops, and finishing. One team, accountable to us, from start to finish. You're not coordinating multiple contractors — we are.
We treat your home the way we'd treat our own. Dust barriers, daily cleanup, clear daily schedules so you know who's in your home and when. Most clients tell us after the fact that the disruption was less than they feared going in.
We also handle all required permits. If your project needs a permit — structural changes, plumbing moves, electrical work — we prepare and submit everything and coordinate inspections at the right project phases. You don't chase the city. We do.
For most renovations, yes. We set up temporary arrangements where needed — a temporary kitchen station with microwave and refrigerator access during a kitchen reno, for example. We maintain dust barriers, keep pathways clear, and do thorough daily cleanup. For very large projects, the degree of disruption depends on the scope; we'll be honest with you about what to expect.
Kitchen renovations typically run 4–6 weeks from demolition to completion. Complete bathroom renovations are typically 3–4 weeks. Powder rooms around 2 weeks. These are construction timelines — the design and planning phase happens before this. We provide a detailed project schedule when you accept your quote.
Our own crew, end-to-end. Unlike many contractors who farm out work to subtrades, Floor & Bath Design handles your renovation in-house from start to finish — the same team, accountable to us, throughout the entire project. We coordinate daily schedules and keep you informed of who to expect and when. No revolving door of strangers, no surprise visits.
It happens — older homes especially can have surprises behind walls or under floors. When something unexpected arises, we stop, show you what we found, explain the options, and get your direction before proceeding. Nothing gets added to scope without your explicit approval.
Yes. We determine what permits are required, prepare and submit all documentation to the relevant municipal authorities, and coordinate inspections at the appropriate project phases. Permit requirements vary by municipality across Durham Region — we know what's needed where.
Quality Check & Handover
Before we consider a project complete, we conduct a thorough internal inspection — everything measured against the design, every detail checked. Then we walk through the finished space with you, room by room, to make sure every element meets your expectations.
If there's anything that needs attention, we take note and we take care of it. The walkthrough isn't a formality. It's your opportunity to look carefully at everything you're about to live with, and our commitment to make it right if something isn't.
Raise it at the walkthrough and we address it before we close the project. Our goal is that you're genuinely satisfied with the result — not just that the project is technically finished. We've built our reputation in Durham Region over 35 years by standing behind our work.
Yes. Our workmanship is warranted, and we pass through manufacturer warranties on materials and fixtures. The specifics are detailed in your contract. If something fails due to our installation, we come back and fix it.
We're available for questions about your new space — how to maintain specific materials, what products to use on your tile or countertops, how to care for any specialty finishes. Many of our clients come back for additional renovations. That relationship matters to us.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
No commitment. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what's possible for your space and your budget.
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