Fixed-price contracts
Every contract is fixed-price, with every material, allowance, and line item specified before signing.
Areas we serve · Willowdale
Custom Builds, Renovations & Additions in Willowdale
The busiest teardown-and-rebuild streets in the city, on wide lots near the Yonge line.
One of the most active custom build neighbourhoods in Toronto. Wide lots, mature streets, and teardown economics that work the way they do almost nowhere else in the city.
15+ Years
Of building and renovating in Toronto
250+ Projects
Completed across Toronto and the GTA
HCRA Licensed
Fully insured and licensed for your protection
Proposal in 48 Hrs
Fully itemized, line by line
Fixed Contract
Locked before work begins. No surprises
One Team
Design, build and warranty under one contract
What we build in Willowdale
Services We Offer in Willowdale
Custom home builds, teardown-rebuilds and renovations in Willowdale, on one fixed price locked before you sign. HCRA licensed and fully insured.
01Design & Permits
From first sketch to your building permit, we handle every step.
02Home Renovations
Kitchen, bathroom, basement, and full home renovations, under one fixed-price contract.
03Home Additions
From rear additions to full second-storey builds, Grand Design Build manages everything in-house: design, permits, engineering, and construction. One team, one contract, zero guesswork.
04Custom Homes
From initial concept through to final handover, our integrated design-build team delivers your custom home on time, on budget, to the standard the GTA's most discerning homeowners expect.
05Laneway & Garden Suites
A full-service process to build a laneway house in Toronto: design, permits, zoning and construction handled by one team, under one fixed-price contract.
06Project Management
Project management led with precision and transparency: one point of contact from the first idea to the final inspection.
The Housing Stock
What Building in Willowdale Looks Like
Most of the original Willowdale housing stock was built between the late 1940s and the early 1970s, predominantly modest ranches, bungalows, and split-levels on lots that were generous for their era and are even more so by today’s standards. As the families that originally bought these homes have aged out and the area has remained desirable, the natural lifecycle has been teardown and rebuild. New builds in Willowdale typically range from 3,500 to 7,000 square feet on the same footprint or expanded, designed to take full advantage of the lot, the canopy, and the streetscape.
The work in Willowdale is dominated by custom builds, but renovations and additions matter too, particularly on homes from the 1980s and 1990s that don’t justify teardown but need significant updating. Underpinning for basement height and rear additions for kitchen-and-family-room expansion show up regularly.
Good To Know
What Willowdale Projects Actually Involve
Almost every custom build in Willowdale begins with tearing down the existing home. We handle demolition permits, environmental screening for pre-1980 homes, asbestos abatement where required, site hoarding, and waste management.
Willowdale’s mature canopy is protected under City of Toronto tree bylaws. Any tree with a 30 cm trunk diameter or larger requires an arborist assessment, and removal applications go through Urban Forestry. We work the arborist’s recommendations into the design from the start.
Most Willowdale lots fall under RD zoning with specific limits on lot coverage, height, and setbacks. Designs that maximize the lot almost always require minor variances through the Committee of Adjustment. We prepare and present the full application.
New builds often involve upgrading the water and sewer connections, relocating gas and hydro services, and managing temporary disconnections without disrupting the neighbourhood.
Willowdale streets are busy with construction, and active neighbour communication is the difference between a smooth build and stop-work complaints. We notify neighbours before demolition and run sites that don’t make us unwelcome.
Our Process
Our Process
We believe building a home should be an exciting journey from the first drawing to the day you move in. As one of the top custom home builders in Toronto, since 2010 we’ve been perfecting a simple, 6-step process that keeps your project on track, on budget, and exactly the way you envisioned it.
- Step 01Consultation
We walk the property, review zoning, assess the existing structure, and discuss what’s feasible, including whether your project is a candidate for renovation or for teardown and rebuild.
- Step 02Design and Drawings
Architectural and interior design developed in-house, with the option to bring in your own architect if you’ve already engaged one.
- Step 03Cost Estimation and Price
Every line specified, including demolition, site servicing, and any anticipated permit costs.
- Step 04Permits and Approvals
We handle demolition permits, building permits, and any minor variance work required for your design.
- Step 05Demolition and Build
Teardown plus construction typically runs 14 to 20 months. Renovations and additions are shorter. Dedicated project manager, weekly meetings and daily access throughout.
- Step 06Final Completion and Handover
We walk through the finished home with you and deal with anything outstanding before it becomes yours.
Why Willowdale Clients Choose Grand Design Build
One Contract, One Team
Custom build depth
Willowdale is custom build country, and that’s what we do most. We’ve built across North York since 2010 and know the local inspectors, the Committee of Adjustment, and the site conditions.
HCRA licensed and fully insured
Fully licensed under Ontario’s Home Construction Regulatory Authority, and insured on every project.
One contract, one team
Architectural design, interior design, demolition, construction, and project management all coordinated under one roof.
The work
Our projects
Cliffcrest A ground-up custom home in Cliffcrest, where the 1950s bungalows on the Bluffs are steadily being replaced. Grey stone and limestone across the front, gabled dormers, and the garage set below the entrance so the main floor sits up off the street.
Douglas Avenue A three-storey infill on a narrow lot, eleven metres from established grade to the top of the parapet. Buff veneer brick under a black-clad set-back top floor.
De Vere Gardens Fifteen feet of bathroom, planned as three zones: a glass shower just over five feet square, a 6'-7" freestanding tub set under the window, and the water closet behind its own door.
Don Mills A rear addition on a Don Mills home. Painted brick, full-height windows across the back, and an elevated deck sitting over a paved terrace.
Blackthorn A two-storey garden suite clad in black vertical-seam metal, with sliding doors opening onto a paved path and a cedar fence run alongside it.
Haig Avenue Two custom homes built side by side on one street, one in pale brick and one in dark, with black window frames carried across both.
Glengarry Red brick over a limestone base, steep gables, and a limestone surround to the entrance with a black bay window set beside it.
Homeowner reviews
What homeowners say
Grand Design Build did a rear addition, second storey, and all our bathrooms on a house in the Beaches. March to September 2025 — we were told end of September and moved back in the second week, so a bit ahead of schedule. Fixed price contract, and the final cost was exactly the contract number. That mattered a lot to us. We decided to change few items for bathrooms and kitchen halfway and there were no issues with the change orders, and the pricing was really fair even though a fixed contract was signed. There were no pushback. The office project coordinators and the site supervisor were really helpful the entire way through. They also kept the site tidy for six months straight and our neighbours never once complained. Respectful crew. Recommend them.
Allen and his team were a dream to work with. Truly an amazing experience and an incredible condo full renovation. The work was top notch and Allen was excellent to work with, respecting our ideas and desires and making our renovation dream a reality.
I had a really good experience working with Grand Design Build on my home renovation and rear addition project. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with throughout the process. They took the time to understand our needs, offered helpful suggestions along the way, and also provided complimentary interior design support, which was a great added value. They were responsive and attentive to questions as they came up, and the project stayed on track from start to finish. I would recommend Grand Design Build to anyone looking for a reliable custom build and design company in Toronto.
Grand Design Build did a great job on our renovation. Their team was organized, kept us informed through each step, and also delivered quality work. They were reliable with timelines and very clear about costs and materials. Overall, we had a very smooth experience with them. Highly recommended!
Grand Design Build exceeded every expectation we had. From the very first consultation, they were professional, transparent, and truly passionate about their work. If you’re considering custom home building in Toronto, you won’t find a more reliable and talented team. Our new home is stunning, and the attention to detail is second to none. We are so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them.
Grand design build are a master in custom home building in Toronto for sure. They designed and built our place just exactly how we wanted it. They are very reliable when it comes to communication and planning.
Areas we serve
We also build nearby.
We build throughout Toronto and the GTA. These are the neighbourhoods we work in most.
Can't find your neighbourhood?
We build across Toronto and the GTA. These are the ones we work in most, not the only ones we work in.
Frequently asked questions
Willowdale questions, answered
If the answer you need is not here, ask us on the call.
Is my Willowdale home a candidate for teardown or renovation?
It depends on the existing structure, the lot, and what you want to end up with. Generally, original 1950s and 1960s ranches and bungalows in Willowdale don’t justify the cost of significant renovation; the foundation, framing, mechanical systems, and floor plan are all from a different era, and the work required to bring them to modern standards approaches what a new build costs. Homes from the 1980s and 1990s, particularly larger ones, more often justify renovation or addition. We assess each home individually during the consultation rather than defaulting to either path.
How big can I build on a Willowdale lot?
Willowdale lots vary in size, but most fall in the 50 to 65 foot frontage range with depths of 100 to 150 feet, which supports custom homes in the 3,500 to 7,000 square foot range. The actual size you can build depends on lot coverage limits (typically 35% to 45% depending on zoning), height limits, setback requirements, and floor space index where it applies. Most designs that maximize lot size require Committee of Adjustment approval for minor variances. We assess what’s feasible on your specific lot during the consultation.
How long does a Willowdale custom build take?
From the first consultation to handover, most Willowdale custom builds take 18 to 26 months. That breaks down into roughly 4 to 6 months for design, drawings, and engineering, 3 to 5 months for permits and Committee of Adjustment work, and 12 to 18 months for demolition and construction. We map out the full schedule before contract signing.
What does demolition involve for a Willowdale teardown?
Demolition requires a City of Toronto demolition permit, environmental screening for pre-1980 homes, asbestos and lead abatement where applicable, site hoarding, utility disconnections, and proper waste management. We coordinate all of it as part of the build contract, including arranging temporary services if needed and managing the disposal of any salvageable materials. Demolition itself typically takes two to three weeks once permits are in hand.
Will I need to relocate utilities for the new build?
Often, yes. New custom builds in Willowdale frequently require upgraded electrical service, new gas connections, and sometimes water and sewer upgrades depending on the size of the home and what the existing services support.
Start here
Let's start with the number.
Tell us what you are thinking about in Willowdale. We will come and see it, and you will have a scope and a price broken down line by line within 48 hours.
- A visit to the property, at a time that suits you.
- A scope and price broken down line by line, within 48 hours.
- No obligation to go any further than that.
Contact us (416) 920-6066