Renovations that finish on the scope you agreed to.
Renovations go wrong in predictable ways: a vague scope, a deposit that's too large, a change order nobody wrote down, and a permit nobody pulled. Every one of those is avoidable at the quoting stage.
Tell IzDon what you're planning and we connect you with local general contractors and renovators who work at that scale — a bathroom specialist and a whole-home renovator are different businesses.
DIY or pro? Demolition, painting and finish work are places homeowners genuinely save money. Structural, electrical, plumbing, and anything inspected should be in the contract.
What this covers
Pick the closest match and we'll start your request with it filled in.
What usually goes wrong
The renovations issues GTA homeowners ask about most — and what they typically mean.
A quote that's just one line and a number
Insist on a scope breakdown — allowances for tile, fixtures and cabinets are where budgets quietly blow up.
Cash-only pricing and no HST
No paper trail means no warranty, no lien protection and no recourse. It also isn't legal.
Load-bearing wall you want removed
Needs an engineer's drawings and a building permit. A contractor who says otherwise is a red flag.
Basement that floods or smells damp
Fix water and grading before finishing — otherwise you're building over the problem.
Knob-and-tube or galvanized plumbing found mid-project
Common in pre-war Toronto homes. Budget a contingency of 10–20% specifically for this.
Adding a second suite
Ontario permits additional residential units broadly, but egress, fire separation and ceiling height rules are strict and inspected.
What renovations costs in the GTA
Typical Greater Toronto Area renovation budgets in 2026. Ranges are wide because finish level drives cost more than square footage.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom — mid-range | $15,000 – $30,000 | Full gut, standard 5-piece |
| Bathroom — high-end | $30,000 – $60,000+ | Custom tile, glass, heated floor |
| Kitchen — mid-range | $30,000 – $60,000 | Semi-custom cabinets, quartz |
| Kitchen — high-end | $60,000 – $150,000+ | Custom millwork, layout changes |
| Basement finishing | $50 – $120 / sq ft | Bathroom and egress add cost |
| Basement apartment (legal second unit) | $75,000 – $150,000 | Permits and fire separation |
| Whole-home renovation | $150 – $400 / sq ft | Finish level dependent |
| Addition | $400 – $700 / sq ft | Foundation and roof tie-in |
| Architect / designer drawings | $3,000 – $25,000 | Scope dependent |
| Structural engineer | $1,500 – $5,000 | Required for load-bearing changes |
Estimate ranges for the Greater Toronto Area, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your home, access and scope — always get it in writing.
What moves the price
- Finish level — the same bathroom footprint can be $15k or $50k purely on tile, glass and fixtures.
- Moving plumbing and structure — relocating a stack or removing a bearing wall is where costs jump.
- Age of home — knock-on discoveries in pre-1960 homes are the norm, not the exception.
- Permits, drawings and engineering.
- Living in the home during the work — dust barriers, phasing and partial-use days stretch timelines.
Want a real number for your renovations job? Tell us what you need and local pros will quote it.
Get It DonePermits, licences & Ontario rules
Most meaningful renovations in Ontario need a building permit. It protects resale, insurance and your ability to enforce the contract.
Permit required
Structural changes, removing or adding walls that carry load, new or enlarged window and door openings, decks over 60 cm above grade, basement finishing in most municipalities, additional residential units, additions, and changes to plumbing or HVAC systems.
Permit usually not required
Painting, flooring, cabinet replacement in the same layout, and like-for-like fixture swaps.
Second units and basement apartments
Ontario allows additional residential units in most residential zones, but ceiling height, egress windows, fire separation and parking rules are enforced at inspection. Budget for them from the start.
Liens, deposits and holdback
Ontario's Construction Act provides a 10% holdback on contracts and gives suppliers and subs lien rights. Pay by milestone against completed work, never far ahead of it.
Before you hire: a quick checklist
- Ask for the business name, address and a phone number that isn't just a cell.
- Confirm general liability insurance and a valid WSIB clearance certificate before work starts.
- Get the scope, materials, timeline and total price in writing — not a number over the phone.
- Be cautious with large upfront deposits. In Ontario a deposit of roughly 10–30% is normal; full payment up front is not.
- Ask who is actually doing the work — the person quoting, an employee, or a subcontractor.
- Hold back final payment until the work passes any required inspection and you've seen it finished.
- Get a written schedule with milestone payments tied to completed stages, not calendar dates.
- Agree in writing that every change order is priced and signed before the work happens.
- Confirm who pulls the permit — it should be the contractor, in their name, not yours.
- Set aside a 10–20% contingency, especially in a pre-1960 home.
This is the same bar we use when we look at who to send your request to — read The IzDon Standard.
Renovations near you
Renovations guides & how-tos
Want to try it yourself first? Start here — and hand it over when the job gets bigger.
Renovations FAQs
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Toronto?
A full mid-range bathroom gut in the GTA typically runs $15,000–$30,000 in 2026, with high-end builds using custom tile, glass and heated floors reaching $60,000 or more.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in the GTA?
Mid-range kitchens generally land between $30,000 and $60,000. Custom millwork, appliance upgrades and layout changes that move plumbing or gas push projects well past $100,000.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Ontario?
In most GTA municipalities yes — finishing a basement typically involves framing, electrical, plumbing and sometimes egress windows, all of which are permitted and inspected. Adding a legal second unit definitely requires one.
How much deposit should I pay a contractor?
Roughly 10–30% is normal to secure materials and a start date. Anything approaching full payment before work begins is a serious red flag, and payments should track completed milestones after that.
How long does a renovation take?
A bathroom is typically 3–5 weeks, a kitchen 6–10, a finished basement 8–14, and a whole-home renovation 4–9 months — before permit review times, which can add weeks on their own.
What is the construction holdback in Ontario?
Ontario's Construction Act requires a 10% holdback from each payment, released after the lien period expires. It protects you if a subcontractor or supplier isn't paid by the general contractor.
One Request. IzDon.
Submit once instead of calling contractor after contractor. We aim to connect you with up to 3–5 relevant local service providers.
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