Cautious homeowners are wise homeowners

This award-winning project by Lagois is an example of a carefully-considered design-first approach.

By Jacob Kirst

If you’re feeling unsure about the next step before you consider a major renovation or custom build, it’s certainly understandable.

It’s also wise.

With rising costs, fluctuating interest rates, and increasing complexity in design and construction, making almost any decision about your home can seem overwhelming.

Your concerns are absolutely valid. You do need to be cautious. You need to be able to make informed decisions. It’s not something you should ever rush into.

Why it’s smart to be cautious

The past few years have brought dramatic shifts to the housing and renovation landscape.

• Construction costs have risen due to inflation, supply chain issues, and labour shortages.

• Interest rates have impacted mortgage and financing options.

• Uncertainty about home values has left many wondering if renovating or rebuilding is still worth it.

Your caution means you care deeply about your investment, your home, and your lifestyle. You must be able to channel that caution into clear, confident action.

The smart first step: Design-led planning

Most mistakes happen when homeowners skip the design phase and go straight to construction. At Lagois Design∙Build∙Renovate, our process begins with a design-first approach that lets you explore options and costs without full commitment.

This is what we do:

• work with our own in-house architects and designers to shape ideas

• explore cost impacts of different materials and layouts

• identify structural needs before cosmetic wants

• understand real timelines and sequencing.

  
  

Typical design investments range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on complexity. This investment arms you with clarity, control, and the ability to make informed, phased decisions.

5 Planning mistakes you can avoid by being cautious

1. Mistaking price for value: Choosing the lowest quote without understanding what’s missing can cost more in the long run.

2. Skipping the design phase: This leads to rushed decisions, scope creep, and unexpected costs.

3. Trying to do project management yourself: Without expert guidance, details get missed, trades overlap, and timelines extend.

4. Choosing “cheap now” over “smart long-term”: Energy savings, future resale, and comfort are long-term wins that start with better planning. A true professional helps educate you so you can make informed decisions.

5. Underestimating time and disruption: We help plan realistic schedules, including living arrangements and stress reduction strategies.
   

Phased planning: Start small, plan big

We design holistically for the end goal, in case you're not ready to do everything at once. Holistic design means we help you prioritize based on:

• urgent structural needs

• energy-efficiency upgrades

• life-stage planning (kids, aging in place)

• budget and cash flow.
  

Here is an example of a phased plan:

Phase 1: building envelope

Phase 2: kitchen

Phase 3: bathrooms and finishes

Phase 4: landscaping, garage, or secondary suite.

With smart planning, each phase builds on the last. This avoids doing work again or creating unnecessary costs.

Design, budget and realistic costing

Vague budgets create stress. That’s why we assess impacts to investment in real time throughout our Design Phase, where we present you with estimates to reflect the quality and finishes, or optional elements, you expect.

Design phases mean you can:

• make informed decisions and understand trade-offs

• compare the impact of different materials

• understand incidentals.

We also help you plan for things often left out by others, for example:

• appliances

• permits

• driveway and landscaping

• temporary accommodations.

  
  

A true budget means the full picture, an informed picture with no surprises.

Power in design

Design is your most powerful planning tool.

Whether you want to renovate your current home, plan a custom build, or simply understand what’s possible; whether you’re months or years away from breaking ground or not even sure whether a renovation or custom home is the right solution for you and your family, the first step is the same. You need to talk about your goals, your concerns, and your vision.

At Lagois, we’re here to help you explore without pressure, to help you perfect the art of living in a home truly yours. At your own pace.

Jacob Kirst is the President and Visionary of Lagois Design∙Build∙Renovate.