Open main floor mid-renovation: chevron oak floor laid, a linear fireplace set into a wall wrapped in GlasRoc tile backer, framed openings and tall windows behind

Home renovations · Toronto & the GTA

Home Renovations in Toronto & the GTA

Floors, stairs, walls, fireplaces, kitchens and bathrooms across a whole house, run by one team from our office in Thornhill.

Call 437-667-2121

15+years in GTA homes
500+projects completed
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One main floor, mid-renovation

Stair, marble and oak on one floor

Large grey and white marble squares meeting an oak floor in front of a wall of tall windows — **Floors**Marble squares meet the oak floor at the living area.

Open-riser stair on dark steel stringers beside a stair opening framed in grey and white marble, chevron oak floor and floor-to-ceiling windows beyond — **Stair**Open treads on steel stringers above a marble-framed opening to the basement.

Stair treads covered in white protective wrap and yellow tape next to a marble checkerboard floor and a steel post — **Protection**Finished treads stay wrapped while other trades work around them.

Older house? Test before anything comes down

1990built before this year

Asbestos

Used mainly to insulate homes before 1990; it can be in plaster, drywall, ceiling tiles and pipe insulation. Health Canada advises a professional test before renovating.

Health Canada, health risks of asbestos

1960built before this year

Lead-based paint

Probably present before 1960; from 1960 to 1990, possibly on the exterior. Never sand it or use a heat gun on it. A lab can test paint chips.

Health Canada, lead-based paint

Asbestos left sealed behind walls poses no significant risk, says Health Canada. Demolition disturbs it, so test first.

Room with walls boarded and chevron oak floor laid; a framed niche lined with GlasRoc tile backer still shows the insulation inside

Before the walls close

The last easy moment to change things

Here the oak floor is down and the walls are boarded, but a framed niche still shows its insulation and tile backer. Before drywall, paint and baseboards, check:

Insulation fills every exterior wall cavity.
Outlet and switch boxes sit where furniture will not cover them.
The niche is sized for what will go into it.

New insulation or windows? Book the energy assessment first

The Home Renovation Savings Program (Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, backed by Ontario) pays rebates only if the work happens in this order.

Before any workInitial energy assessmentBooked before anything is opened up.
The renovationAt least two upgradesFrom the list below.
After the workFollow-up assessmentRecords what was installed.

Attic, wall and foundation insulation
Windows and doors
Air sealing
Heat pump water heaters

Terms and end dates change; check them before you sign: Home Renovation Savings Program, upgrades that need an assessment

Building permits

Which parts of a house renovation need a permit

City	Permit needed	No permit
Toronto	Removing or adding walls; new or changed plumbing or heating; new or bigger window and door openings	Insulation; cabinetry and millwork; a same-size window in the same spot
Vaughan	Structural alterations to a house	Confirm non-structural work with the building department
Markham	Taking out a wall; plumbing on its own takes a plumbing permit	Confirm with the city
Richmond Hill	Alterations to the house	Kitchen or bathroom cupboards

Rewiring rooms in Ontario

Electrical work in a home may only be hired out to a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
That contractor files the notification of the work with the ESA.
Ask for the Certificate of Acceptance at the end; an insurer or a buyer may want it.

Source: ESA, working with general contractors

Google reviews

“We were very pleased with the renovation of our basement in Richmond Hill, ON. Everything was done professionally, with quality and on time. I recommend this company.”
Roman Chornyi · basement renovation, Richmond Hill

“Great price and attention to details” — Levon HarutunyanRead all reviews on Google

Price

What moves the price of a whole-house job

Walls that come outA permit, plus beams and posts if the wall carries load.
Rooms and tradesFloors, stairs, kitchen and bathrooms each bring their own crew.
Plumbing and heating movedNew runs mean permit work in Toronto.
What an older house hidesAsbestos or lead testing, and removal before demolition.
FinishesStone, tile, flooring and fireplace surrounds you choose.

Questions

Before you renovate a whole house

Do I need a permit to renovate my house in Toronto?

Yes for adding or removing walls, changing plumbing or heating, and new or bigger window openings. Insulation, cabinetry and a same-size window replacement need none.

Who applies for the building permit?

Ontario makes the property owner responsible for getting the permit before the work starts.

My house was built before 1990. What should I check?

Health Canada advises a professional asbestos test before renovating. A house built before 1960 probably has lead-based paint too.

Can I get a rebate for new insulation or windows?

Possibly, through the Home Renovation Savings Program. For those upgrades the energy assessment must happen before any work begins.

Which areas do you work in?

Toronto and the GTA: North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Vaughan and Markham. Our office is at 113 Jaimie Rd, Thornhill.

Start here

Tell us about your house

Call 437-667-2121, email info@artstyleconstruction.ca, or use the form. The first visit goes faster when you send:

the year the house was built;
which rooms and floors you want to change;
a photo of each room as it is now.

Send us a message

We reply within 24 hours — free, no-obligation consultation.