S-101 Engineering Services
Permits and engineering letters prepared by our own engineering department
Permit drawings, engineering letters and complete permit applications for homes and commercial buildings, prepared by the in-house engineering department of the company that builds the work.
- In-house engineering department
- Permit applications prepared in-house
- Free letter with custom glass
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
S-101.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for permits and engineering letters
A municipality’s review clock only starts once your permit application is complete. MKC’s in-house engineering department prepares the drawings, engineering letters and application, then follows the file until the permit is issued. Because our engineers work with the people who build, questions from the site go back to the engineer who drew the work. When MKC also builds the project, design, permits and construction sit in one contract.
In-house, start to finish
For glass guards, decks, additions, basement suites and commercial alterations, our own engineering department prepares the drawings and letters, and answers the examiner’s comments. On custom glass work, the engineering letter is included free.
Guide: Do I need a building permit for my renovation in Toronto?
Guide: Removing a load-bearing wall in Ontario: beams, permits and shoring
S-101.2 Scope
What’s included
- S-101.1Permit drawingsArchitectural and structural drawings for municipal permit applications.
- S-101.2Engineering lettersFor glass guards, decks, beams, retaining walls and installations.
- S-101.3Structural reportsAssessments of existing structures with clear recommendations.
- S-101.4Permit applicationsForms, schedules and supporting documents, filed complete.
- S-101.5Code reviewDrawings checked against the 2024 Ontario Building Code before filing.
- S-101.6Municipal follow-upAnswering examiner comments until the permit is issued.
S-101.3 Budget & schedule
What affects
the price
Every estimate is built from your measurements and choices. These are the things that move the number most.
Preparation time depends on the project. Once a complete application is filed, the Ontario Building Code gives the municipality a set number of business days to decide, such as 10 for a house, and zoning review, other approvals and examiner comments usually set the overall pace.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
- 01Project type
A deck or guard letter is simpler than drawings for an addition or a commercial alteration.
- 02Existing information
Existing drawings and surveys save time. Without them, the building has to be measured.
- 03Site investigation
Opening walls or ceilings to confirm framing or footings adds cost but avoids redesign later.
- 04Other approvals
Zoning review, minor variances, conservation authority or heritage approvals add steps and fees.
- 05Revisions
Design changes after submission mean revised drawings and another review.
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your permit or engineering letter
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Planning + Permits
We finalize design and scope. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
When the design leads to construction, materials and equipment are ordered from the approved drawings, so what arrives matches what was permitted.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
S-101.4 Questions
Questions about permits and engineering letters
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How long does the city have to review a permit application?
Once an application is complete, the Ontario Building Code sets the time to issue the permit or give reasons for refusing it: 10 business days for a house, 15 for other small buildings, 20 for large buildings and 30 for complex ones. In Toronto, an application without a Zoning Applicable Law Certificate is incomplete, and incomplete applications have no review clock. We file complete applications so the clock starts.
What is an engineering letter, and when will I need one?
It is a signed letter from an engineer confirming that a specific item was designed, or built, to meet the Building Code: a glass guard, a deck, a steel beam or a retaining wall, for example. Building officials ask for one when an item falls outside the code’s standard tables or needs engineered design. Our engineers prepare it, and with our custom glass work it is free.
What does the permit and engineering work cost?
It depends on the project. A guard or deck letter is a small task, while drawings for an addition or a commercial alteration take more time, especially when there are no existing drawings and the building has to be measured. Municipal permit fees are separate and set by your municipality. Ask for the drawings and permit work to be priced in your free estimate, so you see the full cost before you commit.
Do we still need inspections if the drawings are engineered?
Yes. A permit comes with inspections at set stages, and the work must be built to the approved drawings. Ontario’s Building Code Act prohibits building without a required permit and departing from the approved plans without the chief building official’s authorization. On larger buildings where the code requires an architect’s or engineer’s design, it also requires their general review during construction. We book the inspections.
Can work start before the permit is issued?
Not on the work the permit covers. Building ahead of approval can lead to an order to stop work or to open up finished work for inspection. On some projects a municipality can issue a conditional permit that lets early stages start while other approvals are pending, with conditions attached. We can tell you whether your project might qualify and prepare the request.
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