The ‘open’ concept is helping to make the places that we spend most of our time feel more inviting and relaxing. Open concept is a common item on people’s wish list when they consider renovating. However it isn’t always possible if you live in a strata building like a condo or townhouse. There are a few things that limit what can be done. Items like getting the strata’s approval, getting an engineers approval and stacked plumbing.

Getting the Appropriate Approval

Whenever you do a renovation in a strata building you have to get the Strata’s permission. If you want to move some walls or beams you will also need a building permit. open-conceptSome strata’s are happy to accommodate these types of changes if a professional general contractor and engineer are used. On the other hand some strata corporations or committees have a general rule that no changes affecting the structure of a building can be made. Talk to your General Contractor to find out if your desired changes will affect the structure of the building and then review these changes with your strata to find out if your strata will accommodate them.

If your changes are going to affect the structure and your strata has given you permission to go ahead with making the changes the next step is for your General Contractor to hire an engineer in order to find out what options you have. The engineer will look at the set of plans marked with an “S” for structural to come up with different options to achieve what you are looking for.

Plumbing Issues

If you are wanting to move or delete a wall, you have your strata’s permission and an engineer has signed off on the change, there might still be one thing that can hold you back, and that is plumbing. Even if there aren’t any sinks or bathrooms close to the wall you want to move there may be plumbing drains or vents in it from strata units above or below you. You can take a look at the original building plans marked with an “M” for mechanical but I would recommend cutting holes in the wall to investigate as these plans aren’t always accurate and might not cover all the plumbing in your building.

Deleting or moving walls is a great way to get the open and modern feel into your home. Working with a processional general contractor that has done a number of structural changes before will make this transition run smoothly. It always feels great when you walk in for the first time after the wall has been moved and your home completely transforms into a new environment that you will enjoy for years to come.

By Adrian Babakaiff, Alair Homes Vancouver Project Manager