Legal basement suites
A registered second unit for rental income or family, with separate entrance, egress windows and fire separation.
Our specialty
Home renovation & remodelling · GTA, Hamilton & Niagara
Homes renovated with care, built to last.
Kitchens, bathrooms, whole-home remodels and legal basement apartments. We handle the drawings, permits and inspections, and give you a clear written price before any work begins.
Permits includedDrawings, applications and inspections handled
Fixed written quotesLine-by-line pricing and change orders in writing
Clear timelinesStart date and schedule agreed before work begins
One point of contactFrom first visit to final walkthrough
Services
What we renovate
Every project is planned, permitted and built by one team, so nothing falls between trades.
Kitchen remodelling
New layouts, wall removals with engineered beams, cabinetry, stone counters and lighting.
Typical: $35k – $95kBathroom renovations
Full gut renovations and ensuites with walk-in showers, heated floors and proper waterproofing.
Typical: $20k – $50kBasement finishing
Rec rooms, offices, gyms and guest suites, insulated and framed for a warm, dry space.
Typical: $45k – $100kWhole-home renovations
Multi-room and full interior projects, sequenced as one schedule with one budget.
Typical: $150k+Additions & exterior
Rear additions, decks and porches, plus windows, doors and siding alongside an interior job.
Quoted per project
Legal basement apartments
A second suite, done properly
A basement apartment is legal only once it meets the Ontario Building Code and Fire Code and passes inspection. We plan around every requirement from the first visit, so there are no surprises when the inspector arrives.
Up to three units, as of right
Get your basement assessed
Since Ontario's 2022 housing changes, most residential lots can hold up to three units without a rezoning. Many homeowners now add a basement suite for rental income or family.
Ceiling height
1.95 m · 6′5″Clear height over the required living area, with lower allowances under beams and ducts. If you are short, we lower the floor by underpinning or bench footings.
Egress windows
0.35 m² openingBedrooms need a window you can climb out of, with no opening dimension under 380 mm and a clear well outside.
Separate entrance
Exit to outsideA side or rear walk-out, or a shared entrance that meets the exit rules for both units.
Fire separation
15 – 30 minFire-rated drywall, rated doors and closers between units. The rating depends on whether alarms are interconnected.
Smoke & CO alarms
InterconnectedAlarms in both units wired so that one sounds them all.
Permits & sign-off
Building + ESABuilding permit, electrical safety sign-off and final inspection, so the unit is on record.
Typical Ontario requirements for a second unit in an existing house. Exact rules vary by municipality and house, and we confirm them with drawings before work starts.
Cost guide
What will my renovation cost?
Pick your project for a typical planning range in the GTA and Hamilton area. Your written quote follows a site visit.
Typical range, before HST
—
Planning ranges only, not a quote. Costs depend on your house, layout, structural work and selections. HST in Ontario is 13%.
Process
How your project runs
I
Consultation
We visit, measure and talk through what you want and what your home allows.
II
Written quote
A line-by-line price with scope, allowances and a schedule.
III
Design & permits
Drawings prepared and permits applied for with your municipality.
IV
Construction
Our crew builds in sequence, with regular updates and a protected, tidy site.
V
Final walkthrough
Inspections passed, punch list closed, and the keys handed back.
Service area
Where we work
We renovate homes across the Greater Toronto Area, from Ajax in the east to Oakville in the west, and throughout Hamilton and the Niagara Region.
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Milton
- Caledon
- Ajax
- Hamilton
- Niagara Region
Client reviews
What homeowners say
“
Space for a client review. Ask recent clients for a Google review and paste the best ones here.
Client name, city“
Reviews that mention the project type, such as a legal basement or kitchen, help new clients most.
Client name, city“
A before-and-after photo next to a review is the strongest trust signal a renovation site can have.
Client name, city
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
For a legal second unit, yes. A permit is also needed when you add plumbing, move structural walls, cut a new window or door opening, or underpin. Cosmetic finishing of an existing space often does not. We tell you which applies at the first visit.
How long does a legal basement suite take?
Most take three to five months from first visit to final inspection. Drawings and the permit usually take four to ten weeks of that, depending on your municipality. Underpinning adds several weeks.
My ceiling is low. Can the basement still be made legal?
Often, yes. We can lower the floor by underpinning or bench footings, or reroute ducts and plumbing to free up height. We measure first and give you the options and their costs.
Do I need a separate entrance?
Not always. A shared entrance can work if it meets the exit rules for both units. A separate side or rear entrance is common because it makes the suite more private and easier to rent.
How do your quotes work?
After the site visit you get a written, line-by-line quote with scope, allowances for finishes, and a schedule. Any change during the job is priced and agreed in writing before it happens.
Can I live in the house during the renovation?
Usually, yes. We seal off the work area, protect floors and keep the site clean each day. For a kitchen we help you plan a temporary setup.
Start your project
Book a free consultation
Tell us about your home and we will reply within one business day to arrange a visit.
- Contact
- Hardip
- Phone
- 647-209-2535
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm
Saturday by appointment