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Promotional Offers

Terms & Conditions

1. Overview & Applicability

The terms and conditions outlined below apply to all promotional packages, complimentary Supplementary Services, and limited-time offers (collectively, "Offers") featured on the Grounding. website. By submitting a Service Inquiry or entering into a design consultation during an active promotional period, you agree to these terms.

All Offers are subject to change, suspension, or termination at the sole discretion of Grounding. without prior notice.

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2. Complimentary As-Built & 3D Rendering Offers

Where an active promotion includes "As-Builts and 3D Renderings at no additional cost," the following strict limitations apply:

  • As-Built Scope Limits: Complimentary as-built measurement and digital drafting services are capped at a maximum of 185m² (approx. 2,000 square feet) of existing gross building area. Spaces exceeding this limit, complex multi-level layouts, or designated heritage properties are subject to a pro-rated structural sur-charge. 

  • Unforeseen & Hidden Conditions: As-built documentation is limited to visible and safely accessible areas of the structure. Grounding. is not responsible for elements hidden by finished surfaces or inaccessible spaces. If subsequent demolition or construction uncovers hidden structural deviations, unforeseen conditions, or historic anomalies, any required drawing modifications will be classified out-of-scope and billed as such. We reserve the right to deem if an area is safe and accessible.

  • Conceptual Rendering Limits: Complimentary 3D renderings are provided for visual conceptualization and spatial orientation intent only. They do not constitute construction documents, plans, or material specifications.

  • Revision Allowances: Complimentary renderings include a maximum of three (3) rounds of minor aesthetic adjustments (e.g., material color or basic finish swaps). Material structural design changes or layout overhauls requested after rendering generation will be billed at our standard hourly design rate.

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3. General Eligibility & Exclusions

  • Contract Execution Required: To claim any active Offer, a formal, signed Design Services Agreement must be fully executed, and the initial deposit must be paid within the clear timeline specified by the signed contract.

  • Geographic Scope: Offers are valid for projects located anywhere in Ontario. Free in-person consultations are available within 100 km of Ottawa at no extra cost. Projects outside this radius are served via virtual consultation or with travel logistics discussed individually at no obligation.

  • No Cash Value or Substitution: Promotional offers, complimentary Supplementary Services, and discounts are strictly non-transferable, hold zero cash value, and cannot be exchanged for credits, design fee reductions, or alternative services.

  • Combination of Offers: Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, promotional offers cannot be combined with any other active discounts, package deals, or historical pricing models.

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5. Complimentary Consultation Parameters (Virtual & In-Person)

Grounding. provides introductory, complimentary virtual and in-person consultations to evaluate project viability. These sessions are bounded by the following professional limits:

  • Duration & Scope Limits: Complimentary consultations are strictly capped at a maximum of forty-five (45) minutes. The scope of a free consultation is strictly limited to high-level project brainstorming, spatial alignment discussions, and a preliminary feasibility review, and does not constitute professional advice, guaranteed compliance with the Ontario Building Code, or a legally binding offer of services. A formal designer-client relationship is only established upon the execution of a written contract.

  • No Material Deliverables: No technical zoning reports, formal building code diagnostics, property setbacks measurements, or dimensioned sketches will be generated, drawn, or issued during or as a consequence of a complimentary session.

  • Geographic & In-Person Qualification: Free in-person consultations are available exclusively for qualified properties or projects located within a 100km driving radius of the Ottawa municipal center. Project inquiries outside this radius, or those deemed preliminary or out of legal BCIN scope during our intake process, will be automatically routed to a standard virtual consultation.

4. Integration with Master Design Agreement

These Promotional Terms & Conditions serve as a supplement to the formal Grounding. Design Services Agreement. In the event of any direct conflict or ambiguity between these promotional rules and the clauses inside a fully signed client contract, the terms of the signed contract shall take absolute legal precedence.

Core Design Packages

1. Scope of Services & Package Phases

Each core design package (including but not limited to: Custom Homes, Additions & Renovations, Secondary Suites/Coach Houses, Accessory Structures, Business & Commercial Fit-ups) is structured into distinct, sequential phases as detailed in your specific project contract.

  • Progressing from one phase to the next requires explicit client sign-off or written authorization.

  • Work initiated on a subsequent phase implies acceptance of all deliverables from the preceding phase.

  • Any rollback, reorganization, or layout overhaul of a previously approved phase will be classified as out-of-scope and billed at our standard hourly design rate. A new contract or addendum might be required.

2. Standard Revision Policy

To maintain project timelines and design integrity, all core packages include a strict limit of two (2) rounds of client-driven revisions during the Schematic Design and Design Development phases.

  • A "round of revisions" is defined as a consolidated list of feedback, redlines, or adjustments provided by the client within seven (7) business days of a design presentation. Project progression will be paused for this period until the Client submits their list of revisions.

  • Fragmented, daily, or piecemeal feedback will not be accepted and may trigger an automatic transition to hourly billing.

  • Revisions requested after the completion of Phase 3 (Design Development) or during Phase 4 (Construction Documents) are strictly prohibited under flat-fee packages and will incur separate hourly fees. A new contract or addendum might be required.

3. Intellectual Property & Instrument of Service

All drawings, specifications, digital 3D models, site plans, and electronic data generated by Grounding. are, and shall remain, the sole intellectual property and instruments of service of Grounding.

  • The client is granted a non-exclusive, revocable license to utilize the finalized technical drawing set for the sole purpose of constructing the single, specific project identified in the contract, unless explicitly stated and detailed on a signed contract between the parties. 

  • Source files—including but not limited to raw CAD, BIM (Revit/ArchiCAD), or proprietary modeling files—are the exclusive property of Grounding. and will not be released under any circumstances. Final deliverables are issued strictly as flattened, non-editable PDF packages.

  • Submitting or modifying our intellectual property without a signed endorsement from Grounding. immediately voids all project liability and design warranties.

4. Municipal Approvals & Permit Guarantees

While Grounding. compiles technical packages to conform strictly with the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and local zoning bylaws, we do not guarantee absolute municipal permit timelines or immediate, comment-free approvals.

  • Municipal plans examiners frequently issue requests for information (RFIs) or minor design clarifications. Addressing standard, routine municipal review comments is included in your core package.

  • Delays, backlogs, or policy shifts within local building departments do not constitute a breach of contract by Grounding., and all milestone payments remain due regardless of municipal processing speeds.

5. Site Visits & Field Reviews (Liability Boundaries)

Where site visits or field reviews are included in a design package or purchased as an extra, they are conducted strictly to observe general conformance with the visual design intent. 

  • No Construction Management: Grounding. does not supervise, direct, or control construction means, methods, techniques, sequencing, or trade schedules. While Grounding. may notify the client in writing of deviations from the design intent observed during a walk-through, Grounding. is not under a contractual obligation to identify or log all construction defects. Failure to detect, observe, or report any construction deficiency does not transfer liability, financial responsibility, or accountability for subsequent work, corrective measures, costs, or project delays to Grounding.

  • Site Safety Exclusion: The client’s designated General Contractor maintains absolute, sole responsibility for job site safety, safety precautions, and strict compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Grounding. assumes zero liability for site safety or construction defects, omissions, or structural failures executed by the builder.

  • Visual Review Only: Field observations are non-destructive and visual only. Grounding. is not responsible for validating structural elements, framing details, mechanical/electrical systems, or any other building components that have been covered or hidden by any means, including but not limited to insulation, drywall, or finishes between scheduled site visits.

Supplementary Services

1. Authorization & Billing Structure

Supplementary Services (e.g., Committee of Adjustment Representation, Landlord Review Packages, Post-Construction Record Drawings) are optional services designed to supplement your core package.

  • It can be requested at any point during the design process but must be authorized via a formal, written Contract Addendum before work commences.

  • Unless explicitly stated as a flat-fee Supplementary Service, all extra services, exploratory site meetings, or emergency coordination meetings are billed at our standard hourly rate as specified in the contract, invoiced monthly.

2. Exclusion of Third-Party & Municipal Fees

The pricing listed for any Grounding. Supplementary Services cover our professional design and administrative time only. It does not include external, third-party operational costs.

  • The client is directly and entirely responsible for all external expenses, including but not limited to: municipal permit application fees, Committee of Adjustment filing fees, Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) fees, conservation authority fees (e.g., RVCA), and professional engineering stamps (MEP/Structural).

  • Grounding. will not pay third-party invoices on behalf of the client.

3. Timeline Extension Protections

Activating a project Supplementary Service automatically voids any previously estimated or tentative project completion schedules.

  • Specialized Supplementary Services—particularly municipal variance support or Committee of Adjustment representation—depend entirely on third-party hearing schedules and public notice windows.

  • Grounding. is not liable for project carrying costs, financing interest spikes, or contractor scheduling penalties resulting from the extended timelines required to execute out-of-scope Supplementary Services.

4. Cancellation of Supplementary Services

If a client elects to cancel an authorized Supplementary Service before its completion, they remain financially liable for all professional hours logged, research compiled, and milestones met up to the exact date of written cancellation notice. No refunds or contract credits will be issued for partially completed extras.

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