Short answer: for multiplex design in Toronto, our fees typically land in the $6–$8 per square foot range — but every project is scoped individually, so that number can move up or down depending on what’s involved. A 5-unit conversion and a 7-unit new build with CMHC MLI Select financing are completely different assignments.
What we can tell you is what actually drives the fee, so you know what you’re paying for and where the value is.
What drives the cost
1. Unit count and building type. More units mean more plans, more code compliance work, and more coordination. A purpose-built 6-plex on a vacant lot is a different scope than converting an existing house.
2. Feasibility and zoning work. Before design starts, someone has to confirm what the lot can legally carry — as-of-right unit counts, setbacks, angular planes, parking. In many Toronto wards 5–6 units are now as-of-right, but “as-of-right” still needs verification lot by lot. Skipping this step is the most expensive mistake in multiplex development.
3. MLI Select targeting. If you’re pursuing CMHC MLI Select financing, the design has to score on affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility from day one. Those decisions are locked in at the design stage — retrofitting them later costs far more than designing for them upfront. Designing to the scorecard is specialized work, and it’s where the financing return lives.
4. Drawing set depth. Permit-ready drawings for Toronto submission, coordinated with structural and mechanical engineers, cost more than concept sketches — but they’re what the City actually approves. Ask what’s included in any quote: feasibility, concept, permit drawings, interior architecture, and construction support are separate line items at most firms.
5. Interior architecture. Unit interiors — kitchens, baths, millwork, durable finishes — are where tenant appeal and long-term value are built. Firms that integrate interiors from the start (rather than bolting them on) protect both your budget and your rents.
How we scope it
At Expose Design Group Inc., every multiplex project starts with a free 20-minute MLI Select Readiness Check — a one-page lot and financing snapshot. Only after that do we scope the design fee, so you see the full picture before spending anything. No surprises, no vague hourly meters running in the background.
The real question isn’t the fee — it’s the cost of getting it wrong
A multiplex designed without feasibility costs you months at the Committee of Adjustment. A design that ignores MLI Select leaves financing points — real money — on the table. The cheapest design fee is rarely the cheapest project.
Book your free MLI Select Readiness Check — bring the lot or the idea, and get an honest read before you commit.
Related: Multiplex Design Toronto — our 5–7 unit design service · Custom Home Design Toronto · Contact the studio
