Home additions

Second storeys, rear extensions and garage conversions that look like they were always there.

House with a second-storey addition under construction

An addition is often the best way to get the space you need without leaving a neighbourhood you like. It’s also the renovation where the structure matters most: new foundations meet old ones, new framing ties into a roof that was never designed to carry a second floor, and the exterior has to match a house that has weathered for decades.

We handle the engineering, the permit and the build, and we plan the work so you can stay in the house for as long as safely possible. Where you can’t, we tell you upfront and schedule around it.

Bright open-plan great room with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to the garden

What we take care of

All of it under one contract, managed by a dedicated project team.

Structural assessment
Foundation, bearing walls and existing framing checked before design, so the engineering reflects the house you actually have.
Second-storey additions
Roof removal, reinforcement, new floor, weather protection plan and a new stair, built to tie cleanly into the existing house.
Rear and side extensions
Larger kitchens, family rooms and main-floor bedrooms, with new foundations and a seamless floor transition.
Garage and attic conversions
Turning existing enclosed space into living space, with the insulation, fire separation and heating it needs.
Exterior matching
Brick, stone, siding and roofing sourced and laid to match, or a deliberate contrast if that suits the house better.
Mechanical extension
Heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical extended or upgraded so the new rooms are as comfortable as the old ones.

How your project runs

Five defined stages, from the first site visit to final sign-off.

01 / 05

Consultation and site visit

We meet at your home to understand your goals, assess the structure and mechanical systems, and outline what can be achieved within your budget.
02 / 05

Design and written quote

Drawings, selections and an itemized quote. Items not yet selected are listed as stated allowances, and every payment in the contract is tied to completed work.
03 / 05

Permits and preparation

We manage engineering, permit applications and utility locates, and order long-lead materials early so the schedule never waits on a delivery.
04 / 05

Construction

Your project manager coordinates every trade and inspection and sends a written progress update each week. Any change is priced and approved in writing before work proceeds.
05 / 05

Handover and warranty

We walk the finished project with you, resolve every deficiency and provide your warranty documents. After you move in, our team remains your point of contact.

How long it takes

Typical for this kind of project in the GTA. Permits are the least predictable part, especially if a variance is needed.

Design and engineering 6–12 wk
Permits 8–20 wk
Construction 16–30 wk

Typical overall: 30–62 weeks.

Good to know before you start

Zoning sets the envelope
Height, setbacks, lot coverage and floor space index decide how big the addition can be. We check them first, because a variance adds months.
Plan for the roof-off weeks
With a second-storey addition the house is open to the weather for a short window. A good contractor schedules it outside the worst months and has a tarp plan.
Expect to upgrade the panel
Additions often push older homes past the capacity of their electrical service. Budget for it early rather than discovering it at rough-in.

Common questions

Can we live in the house during an addition?

For most rear additions, yes, with some disruption in the rooms that connect to it; we seal off the work area and keep dust under control. For a full second storey, most families move out for the roof-off and framing stage, roughly two to three months, and return once the house is weathertight.

Should we build up or build back?

Building up adds space on the same footprint and keeps your yard. Building back is less disruptive and better for main-floor space, such as a larger kitchen or family room. Zoning, your foundation and your budget usually decide it, and our guide on second-storey versus rear additions walks through the trade-offs.

Will the addition match the existing house?

That’s the goal, unless you want a deliberate contrast. We source matching brick, stone or siding where it’s still available, line up floor heights and rooflines, and carry the trim details through so the addition looks original.

Can my foundation support a second storey?

Often, but it has to be confirmed. Our structural engineer reviews the existing footings and framing early. Some houses need reinforcement or new footings, and we price that before you commit to design.

Book a structural assessment

Do you handle the permit?

Yes. We prepare and submit the application, respond to the plans examiner’s comments and book every inspection. If the design needs a minor variance, we prepare that application and represent the project at the Committee of Adjustment.

How much does an addition cost?

It depends far more on structure, foundations and the tie-in to the existing house than on square footage alone. We price from engineered drawings after a site visit, so the number reflects your house rather than an average.

Request a consultation

Have a question we didn’t cover? Our team is happy to talk it through.

Ask us Call (647) 766-9999