What is the first boundary to establish?
Establish what is already provided in the unit and what your project adds or changes. Services shown on a leasing plan should be checked against the actual space. Identify who is responsible for any base-building changes and whether the landlord has a required review process.
What belongs in the landlord information package?
Gather design criteria, working-hour restrictions, delivery routes, contractor documentation requirements and approval contacts. These details can influence the construction sequence. General contracting connects them to the trade scope; occupied-building planning matters where other users remain nearby.
Does a new tenant use mean only cosmetic work?
No. A change of use deserves a separate municipal review. For example, Oakville describes its Zoning Certificate of Occupancy as approval for a change in use under its zoning by-law. Read the Oakville project guidance before treating the fit-out as a decoration exercise.
How can you prepare a useful fit-out brief?
Include the current unit condition, equipment list, proposed layout and any work provided by the landlord. Separate possession, construction and opening targets. The project brief checklist helps organize the information without confusing a target date with an agreed construction programme.
| Decision | Information to review | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Base building | Existing services and landlord work. | The starting condition. |
| Tenant scope | Layout, equipment and finishes. | The proposed construction. |
| Approvals and access | Municipal and property requirements. | Dependencies before site work. |