Home renovations in Toronto

Toronto renovations usually start with a house or condo that has already been changed several times. We plan the work around what is actually there: the existing structure, earlier alterations, access from the street or lane, and the rooms you need to keep using while the work happens.

Much of central Toronto is Victorian and Edwardian semis and row houses on narrow lots, in areas like the Annex, Leslieville, Riverdale and Roncesvalles, alongside postwar bungalows further out and a large stock of condos. Older houses can hide dated wiring, uneven floors and low basement ceilings, so we allow for investigation before the scope is fixed. In condos, building management rules on working hours, elevator bookings and approved trades shape the programme.

Building permits in Toronto are issued by Toronto Building. Structural changes, new plumbing and basement work generally need a permit, while like-for-like finishes often do not. Condo work also needs approval from the building's management before it starts.

Permit review, condo approvals and lead times for cabinetry and stone usually set the start date more than the build itself. Older houses carry more unknowns, so we recommend holding a contingency in the budget for what opening the walls reveals.

Requirements depend on the property and the work involved, so we confirm what applies to your project before the scope is fixed.