About Us

Innovate Design provides comprehensive residential design services for custom homes, renovations, and multi-unit housing projects throughout Vancouver Island, the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, and British Columbia. From initial concepts through to permit-ready drawings, we guide clients through every stage of the design process with creativity, expertise, and attention to detail.

Our services include custom single-family home design, home renovations and additions, Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), townhouse design, rezoning applications, development permits, site planning, Board of Variance applications, professional landscape design, tenant improvements, interior design, and small building design.

To help clients fully understand their projects before construction begins, our digital design process often includes detailed 3D models, realistic visualizations, and virtual camera views that bring the design to life and provide a clear understanding of the finished result.

The timeline for a project depends on its complexity, scope, and the requirements of the municipality where the project is located.

As a general guideline, three months is a reasonable starting point for the design phase of a custom home or renovation project. Once we learn more about your specific goals and site conditions, we can provide a more accurate timeline.

Our process typically begins with an on-site meeting where we review the property, discuss your vision, and determine the scope of work. From there, we usually schedule a design consultation at our office to explore layout options, project priorities, lifestyle requirements, and architectural style preferences.

For renovation projects, we often complete a detailed site measure to accurately document existing conditions. Once the initial design concepts have been developed, we meet with you to review the plans, discuss options, and refine the design together.

Throughout the process, our goal is to provide clear communication and thoughtful design solutions that move your project efficiently toward permit approval and construction.

We offer a complimentary initial consultation at our office to discuss your project, goals, and design ideas. For on-site consultations within our service area, we charge a minimum fee of $200, which allows us to review your property firsthand and better understand the opportunities and constraints of the site.

To make the most of your consultation, it is helpful to bring any available project information (if it hasn’t already been sent to our office), including a property survey, site plan, existing house plans, realtor floor plans, photographs, or other relevant documents.

We also encourage clients to share inspiration images, idea books, or online collections from platforms such as Houzz and Pinterest. These references help us better understand your design preferences, lifestyle needs, and vision for the project.

Whether you are planning a custom home, renovation, addition, or multi-unit housing project, the initial consultation is an opportunity to explore possibilities, discuss project requirements, and determine the best path forward.

Absolutely. We believe your home should be comfortable, energy-efficient, sustainable, and built to perform well for decades to come.

Our team has extensive experience designing homes that meet and exceed the requirements of the BC Building Code and BC Energy Step Code. We work closely with energy advisors and other consultants to help clients explore options ranging from improved building performance to Net Zero and high-performance home design.

By focusing on building envelope design, insulation, air tightness, window performance, and efficient mechanical systems, we can help create a home that is more comfortable year-round, reduces energy consumption, and lowers long-term operating costs.

Whether your goal is to meet current energy standards or achieve a higher level of sustainability and performance, we can help you make informed decisions that align with your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Designing homes that are comfortable today, efficient tomorrow, and resilient for the future.

Absolutely. While we are based in Victoria, we regularly work with clients throughout Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the BC Interior, and beyond.

Our team has successfully delivered custom home, renovation, and residential design projects across British Columbia, as well as internationally, including projects in California and Asia. We are also highly experienced in working with clients who live outside the region or abroad while building their homes in British Columbia.

Using video conferencing, digital plan reviews, screen sharing, and cloud-based collaboration tools, we can efficiently guide clients through every stage of the design process regardless of their location or time zone. From initial concepts to permit-ready drawings, we make communication simple, interactive, and accessible wherever you are.

No matter where your project is located, our goal is to provide a seamless design experience and exceptional service from start to finish.

Yes, we can help you rebuild.

If you have experienced a home fire or other significant property damage, we provide the experience and guidance needed to support you through the reconstruction process. We regularly assist clients in working with insurance providers and help clarify scope, documentation, and design requirements during this challenging time.

Our services include either accurately re-drawing your original home or developing a completely new custom design that better suits your current needs and future goals.

We also coordinate the necessary engineering and consulting services to support a smooth municipal approval and permitting process, helping move your project forward efficiently and with as little stress as possible.

Our goal is to provide clear direction, practical solutions, and steady support from the initial assessment through to permit-ready drawings.

The design process consists of:

01 / Initial Consultation: Discovering your vision, budget, and project goals.

02 / Project Kick-Off: Aligning on details, scope, and initial timelines.

03 / Research & Concept Design: Exploring site possibilities and drafting your first floor plans.

04 / Refinement & Revisions: Fine-tuning the layout based on your feedback.

05 / Design Finalization: Locking in the approved concept before moving to technical drafting.

06 / Permit & Working Drawings: Creating the engineering-backed blueprints required for municipal approval.

Not at all.

We provide a full-service design experience, which means that we handle the technical and administrative aspects of the permitting process on your behalf so you can stay focused on the bigger picture.

From initial zoning and site feasibility research through to municipal permit coordination, engineering integration, and submission support, we guide your project through the approval process from start to finish.

Our role is to manage communication with consultants and municipalities, ensure all required documentation is complete and coordinated, and help move your project efficiently through the permitting and regulatory process.

While we keep you informed at key milestones and design decisions, we do all the complexity behind the scenes so you don’t have to navigate the bureaucracy yourself.

Led by building designer Duane Ensing, Innovate Design Collective has been delivering custom home design excellence across the Greater Victoria area since 2016. Celebrating 10 years of service with our own independent boutique design firm, we provide a seamless, full-service home and building design experience. Our expertise includes custom residential design, municipal permit coordination, and specialized subdivision and rezoning plans, taking your project smoothly from initial concept to final approval.

Absolutely. A great design deserves a great build, which is why Innovate Design Collective maintains strong collaborative relationships with trusted general contractors and local builders throughout British Columbia.

Whether your project is in the Greater Victoria area, the Gulf Islands, or the Lower Mainland, we can connect you with reputable construction teams who have a proven track record of bringing our custom home designs to life.