HCRA-Licensed Home Renovation Contractors · Toronto & the GTA
Home Renovation Contractor in Toronto and the GTA
Kitchen, bathroom, basement, and full home renovations, under one fixed-price contract.
Home renovation in Toronto: kitchens, bathrooms, basements and full homes, on one fixed price contract locked before you sign. HCRA licensed.
Of building and renovating in Toronto
Completed across Toronto and the GTA
Fully insured and licensed for your protection
Fully itemized, line by line
Locked before work begins. No surprises
Design, build and warranty under one contract
Before the quote means anything
What is behind the wall.
The finished wall
What is usually there: Paint, plaster or drywall, and whatever has been hung, patched and painted over it across several owners.
What we do: We open a small area first wherever we can, so the scope is based on what is actually there rather than on an assumption.
Lath and plaster
What is usually there: In pre-war Toronto houses, wood lath and plaster rather than drywall. It is heavy, it is brittle, and it hides the condition of everything behind it.
What we do: Removed and disposed of properly, with dust protection through the rest of the house and the structure inspected as it comes down.
Studs, wiring and pipes
What is usually there: This is where the surprises live: knob-and-tube or aluminium wiring, galvanised supply lines, and framing that was notched out for a pipe decades ago.
What we do: Electrical and plumbing brought up to current code, framing repaired or reinforced, and the work inspected before anything closes up.
Structure and envelope
What is usually there: Studs, sheathing, and very often little or no insulation and no vapour barrier at all in houses of a certain age.
What we do: Insulation and air sealing done properly while the wall is open, because it is the one moment in thirty years when it is cheap to do.
Home Renovation Contractors Toronto, ON
Home Renovation Contractors Toronto, ON
Grand Design Build has been renovating homes across the GTA since 2010. We're a design-build renovation company. Our architects, designers, and construction team work together under one contract, from initial concept to final walkthrough.
Whether you need a full home renovation, a kitchen, a bathroom, or a basement renovation, we manage everything: design drawings, material selection, permit applications, and full construction, all under a fixed price you approve before we start.
Our renovation services cover all of Toronto, including Forest Hill, Leaside, Leslieville, Roncesvalles, North York, Etobicoke, and the wider GTA, and we handle every City of Toronto approval on your behalf.
Why Us
What Sets Us Apart
- 01Fixed-price contract locked before construction; no cost-plus billing.
- 02In-house architects, engineers, designers, and builders.
- 03Permits and zoning handled completely by our team.
- 04Dedicated project coordinator from start to handover.
- 05HCRA licensed and fully insured on every project.
- 06If you're weighing whether to add on or move, we'll give you a straight answer at the consultation.
What We Offer
Home Renovation Services in Toronto
Full home, kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovations across Toronto, North York, and Scarborough, delivered on time with a fixed-price contract.
Full Home Renovation
Whole-home renovations, from gut renovations to phased multi-room projects. Our in-house team manages design, permits, and full construction under a single fixed-price contract.
Typical cost: $150,000 to $500,000+. Itemized fixed-price quotes within 48 hours.
Modern Kitchen Renovations
Full kitchen renovations from layout redesign to final finish: structural changes, plumbing and electrical rough-in, custom cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, appliances, and lighting, all under one contract.
Typical cost: $65,000 to $150,000. Quotes include all labour, materials, and permits.
Luxury Bathroom Renovation
Complete bathroom renovations from small powder rooms to large ensuites: tile work, plumbing, electrical, vanities, custom glass, heated floors, and full design services.
Typical cost: $15,000 to $55,000. Ensuites with custom tile, glass, and fixtures typically run $25,000 to $55,000.
Basement Renovations
Full basement renovations including underpinning, waterproofing, framing, insulation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and finishing. We also build basement apartments and in-law suites.
Typical cost: $65,000 to $150,000.
Open Concept Renovations
Remove walls, add structural beams, and open up your home's main floor. Our in-house structural engineers assess every wall removal for code compliance and structural integrity.
Typical cost: $15,000 to $60,000, depending on load-bearing complexity, beam size, and finishing work.
Home Office Renovations
Convert a spare room, basement space, or garage into a professional, productive home office: built-in storage, lighting design, electrical upgrades, soundproofing, and full finish work.
Typical cost: $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the space, built-in millwork, and technology infrastructure required.
Comparison
Typical Renovation Experience vs. Grand Design Build
Most home renovation contractors in Toronto use a cost-plus model that leaves you exposed to overruns. Here's the actual difference.
| What to Expect | Typical Toronto Contractor | Grand Design Build |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Cost-plus: final price unknown until done | Fixed price, locked before construction starts |
| Design & build | Separate architect, designer, and contractor | One in-house design and build team |
| Permits | You coordinate with the City yourself | We manage all permits and inspections |
| Quote turnaround | Weeks of waiting for a vague estimate | Detailed itemized quote within 48 hours |
| Project coordinator | No single point of contact | Dedicated coordinator from start to handover |
| Insurance | Varies, and often the subcontractor's | Fully insured on every project, ours not a subcontractor's |
| Licensing | Varies; not all are HCRA licensed | HCRA licensed, fully insured, Ontario registered |
Our Process
How We Handle Home Renovations in Toronto
Every home renovation follows the same six-phase process, so you always know exactly where your project stands.
- Step 01Showroom visit or call
We meet at your home, review existing conditions, and discuss your goals, wish list, and budget: an honest early read on feasibility and cost, no obligation.
- Step 02Design & Material Selection
Our in-house architects produce drawings and our interior designers walk you through finishes, cabinetry, tile, countertops, fixtures, and flooring.
- Step 03Fixed-Price Quote
Once the design is approved, we issue a fully itemized fixed-price contract. Every line (labour, materials, permits) is listed before you sign.
- Step 04Permits & Approvals
Where a permit's needed, we handle the full City of Toronto application, structural drawings, and inspector coordination, start to finish.
- Step 05Construction & Trade Management
Our on-site supervisor coordinates all trades and performs documented quality checks at each milestone, with regular updates from your coordinator.
- Step 06Final Walkthrough & Handover
We walk through every detail together, address any deficiencies on the spot, and hand your renovated home over with full documentation: warranties, permits, and maintenance guides included.
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!
Areas We Serve
Home Renovations Across Toronto
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.
More of what we do
Other services.
Design & Permits
Typically 1 to 8 monthsFrom first sketch to your building permit, we handle every step.
Home Additions
Typically 4 to 10 monthsFrom 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.
Laneway & Garden Suites
Typically 4 to 7 monthsA full-service process to build a laneway house in Toronto: design, permits, zoning and construction handled by one team, under one fixed-price contract.
Custom Homes
Typically 12 to 20 monthsFrom 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.
Project Management
Project management led with precision and transparency: one point of contact from the first idea to the final inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Questions homeowners ask before they call
If the answer you need is not here, ask us on the call. We would rather tell you now than at framing.
Which renovations add the most value to a home?
In the Toronto market, the highest return comes from projects that increase functional square footage or improve energy efficiency. Legal basement suites are the top value-adder given Toronto's housing demand. Kitchen refreshes (new counters, cabinet refacing, efficient appliances) often outperform a full luxury gut. Bathroom upgrades, especially adding a second bathroom, significantly boost resale appeal. Heat pumps, triple-pane windows, and better insulation are increasingly attractive to buyers facing rising utility costs, and a new front door or updated landscaping offers a lot of impact for a relatively small spend.
How much does a home renovation cost in Toronto?
A full house renovation typically runs $150 to $450 per square foot depending on the home's age and finish quality. For a standard 1,500 sq ft detached home, budget $200,000 to $600,000+. Basic/cosmetic work (no wall moves) runs $150 to $200 per sq ft, mid-range (layout changes, custom cabinetry, upgraded electrical/plumbing) runs $200 to $350, and a high-end full gut with structural changes and luxury finishes runs $350 to $500+. Factor in 13% HST, City permit fees ($2,000 to $10,000+ for major work), and a 15% contingency for the surprises common in older Toronto homes.
How long does a home renovation take?
A cosmetic refresh runs 1 to 2 months. A kitchen or bathroom remodel runs 3 to 5 months, largely because custom cabinetry carries 8 to 12 week lead times. Basement finishing runs 4 to 6 months, longer if it's a legal secondary suite or needs underpinning. A full house gut or major addition runs 9 to 15+ months given the architectural drawings and structural permits involved. Budget 3 to 6 months before construction even starts for design and City approvals, and add another 3 to 5 months if your project needs a Committee of Adjustment hearing.
How should I prepare for a renovation while living in the house?
Set up a mini-kitchen in a clean room (microwave, coffee maker) if your kitchen's affected. Move furniture and breakables out of the work zone ahead of time. Confirm your contractor uses plastic sheeting and HEPA filters to keep dust out of the rest of your home.
What are the most common renovation mistakes?
Skipping the contingency fund: mould or faulty wiring often hides behind walls, so set aside an extra 10 to 20% of your budget. Hiring solely on price, since the lowest bid often reflects missing insurance or hidden fees. Changing your mind mid-project, which is the most common timeline killer: finalize fixtures and floor plans before work starts. Over-improving for the area if you plan to sell. Neglecting your electrical layout early, and leaving structural, plumbing, and electrical work to licensed pros rather than DIY-ing it.
Can I live in my home during a renovation in Toronto?
For a targeted renovation (a bathroom, kitchen, or basement), yes, most homeowners stay, and we keep the unaffected areas clean and liveable. For a full home renovation, some homeowners choose to relocate temporarily. We give you an honest read on disruption during planning, before you sign anything.
Do I need a permit for my home renovation in Toronto?
It depends on scope. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and cabinet swaps usually doesn't need one. Structural changes, wall removals, electrical upgrades, plumbing moves, and envelope changes require a City of Toronto building permit. We assess this for every project and manage the full application on your behalf.
Does Grand Design Build handle the permit for my renovation?
Yes. Where a permit's required, we assess whether one's needed, prepare and submit the application, produce structural drawings where required, coordinate City inspectors through construction, and get final sign-off at completion.
Start here
Let's start with the number.
Tell us what you are thinking about. 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