Building and renovating in Toronto
From century semis downtown to post-war bungalows in North York and Etobicoke, Toronto houses come with history behind the walls. We plan for it.
Book a site visit in Toronto
Toronto has the oldest and most varied housing stock in the region, and the most detailed rules for building on it. A renovation in Leslieville and one in Willowdale can involve completely different structures, permits and neighbours.
We work across the city, including North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke, on kitchens, whole-home renovations, additions, legal basement suites, laneway and garden suites, and new custom homes on infill lots.
Neighbourhoods we work in
Leslieville, The Annex, Leaside, Lawrence Park, Willowdale, Bayview Village, Don Mills, Agincourt, Wexford, Etobicoke, Kingsway, Mimico, Davisville, East York.
What Toronto houses are like
What we usually find in each era of house, and the work it tends to need.
- Before 1940
- Victorian and Edwardian semis and detached homes. Expect plaster walls, knob-and-tube wiring, rubble or block foundations and low basements that need underpinning.
- 1945–1970
- Bungalows and two-storeys in North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke on generous lots. The most common candidates for second-storey additions and full rebuilds.
- 1970s onward
- Townhouses, condos and newer detached homes. Mostly interior renovations, with condo board rules shaping the schedule.
Local rules that can affect your project
These are what most often change the design, cost or timing of a Toronto project. We check each one before any drawings are made.
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Tree permits from 30 cm
Toronto requires a permit to injure or remove a privately owned tree 30 cm or more in diameter, and any city-owned tree regardless of size. Inside ravine-protected areas, trees of any size are protected.
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Laneway, garden suites and multiplexes
Toronto permits laneway suites, garden suites, and up to four units on residential lots as of right, subject to the zoning rules for size, height and separation.
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Heritage districts
Neighbourhoods such as Cabbagetown, Rosedale and Wychwood Park are Heritage Conservation Districts. Exterior changes need heritage review as well as a permit.
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Committee of Adjustment
Many Toronto lots are tight against the zoning limits. Additions that exceed them need a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment, which typically adds three to six months.
Our work in and near Toronto
What we build in Toronto
- Custom homesNew homes built on your lot, from feasibility and drawings to the final walkthrough.
- Home additionsSecond storeys, rear extensions and garage conversions that look like they were always there.
- Whole-home renovationsGut renovations and layout changes for houses that have good bones and the wrong floor plan.
- Kitchen renovationsKitchens planned around how you cook, including wok and second kitchens with ventilation that works.
- Bathroom renovationsBathrooms waterproofed properly, ventilated properly and finished to last.
- Basements and second suitesFinished basements and legal second units, with waterproofing, egress and fire separation done right.
- Laneway and garden suitesDetached backyard homes for family or rental income, from eligibility check to occupancy.
- Trades and repairsDrywall, flooring, tile, painting, interlock and more, done by the specialists we trust.
Planning a project in Toronto?
Book a consultation with our team. We’ll assess your home, review the options with you and follow up with a detailed written quote.