Home renovations in Toronto, Vaughan and the GTA
When several rooms or a whole floor change at once, one crew from our Thornhill office plans the order of the trades and does the work, from floors and stairs to fireplace walls and built-ins. The first visit is free and we reply within 24 hours.
The same main floor at three points of the job
Photos from one house we worked on. The floors went in while the walls were still bare board and before the fireplace wall got its stone.
Marble is down in the hall and oak in the living room. The fireplace opening is still bare framing with spray foam behind it.
The fireplace insert sits in the wall and the tile backer board is up, ready for the stone cladding.
The stair treads are in and wrapped. The marble floor is finished around the steel posts.
Finished rooms from other houses
Each photo is from a different job, so you can see the finishes a house renovation usually ends with.
What needs a building permit in Toronto
The City of Toronto lists these for a house. Vaughan, Markham and the other GTA cities run their own building departments, so we check with the city the house is in.
Permit needed
- Adding or removing walls that change room sizes or uses
- New windows or doors where there were none, or bigger and moved ones
- Installing or changing heating or plumbing systems
- Building or rebuilding a chimney or fireplace, or a wood-burning stove
No permit needed
- Adding or replacing insulation
- Cabinetry and millwork
- Repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures
- A new window or door in the same opening of a detached house
- Gas fireplaces and a furnace replacement
Source: City of Toronto, When do I need a building permit? The City notes its list is not complete.
Rewiring rooms is separate from the building permit. In Ontario only a Licensed Electrical Contractor may be hired for electrical work in a home, and that contractor files the notification with the Electrical Safety Authority. Keep the Certificate of Acceptance: your insurer may ask for it and a sale may need it. ESA, working with general contractors
Homeowners on their renovations
- Diana Yanchakbathrooms, Aurora
“I’m very happy with the work Art Style Construction did on my bathrooms in Aurora. The quality was excellent, and the whole team was friendly, professional, and easy to work with. They listened to what I wanted and made sure everything was done properly.”
- Roman Chornyibasement, Richmond Hill
“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.”
Questions about a house renovation
Can you renovate a few rooms on different floors at once?
Yes. We plan the order of the trades across the floors so finished floors and stairs stay protected while other rooms are still being worked on.
Do I need a permit to renovate my house in Toronto?
You do for adding or removing walls, new or bigger window and door openings, and changes to plumbing or heating. Insulation, cabinetry and replacing plumbing fixtures need none.
Who does the electrical work?
A Licensed Electrical Contractor. Only an LEC may be hired for electrical work in an Ontario home, and the LEC files the notification with the ESA.
Which areas do you work in?
Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Vaughan and Markham. Our office is at 113 Jaimie Rd, Thornhill.
Tell us about your house
Call 437-667-2121, email info@artstyleconstruction.ca, or use the form. The free first visit goes faster if you send:
- the year the house was built;
- which rooms and floors you want changed;
- photos of those rooms as they are now.
Send us a message
We reply within 24 hours. Free, no-obligation consultation.