Notes from the Workshop

Real numbers, real permits, real opinions.

Notes from a working contractor. Costs that match what you’ll actually be quoted, process that matches what we actually do, and answers to the questions homeowners keep asking.

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How to find a general contractor in the GTA without getting burned

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ProcessApril 16, 20267 min read

How to find a general contractor in the GTA without getting burned

Seventeen questions to ask, the red flags that should end the conversation, what licensing actually means in Ontario, and how references should be checked. Hire well once and you avoid hiring twice.

ProcessApril 23, 20266 min read

Comparing GTA renovation contractors when you already have a shortlist

A framework for comparing 2–3 GTA residential contractors you are already interviewing. Not a ranking. Business model, client relationship, and communication cadence differ by firm type — here is how to read the differences.

ProcessApril 23, 20266 min read

The four types of GTA residential renovation contractor

The phrase "general contractor" covers at least four distinct business models in the GTA residential market. Which one fits depends on project size, how involved you want to be, and how much design help you need. An explainer for homeowners orienting before they start interviewing.

CostsApril 16, 20266 min read

What it costs to finish a basement in Toronto in 2026

Recreation finishes run $45 to $75 per square foot. A legal secondary suite with kitchen, bath, and egress runs $80,000 to $160,000. Underpinning is a separate conversation worth $40,000 to $90,000.

CostsApril 16, 20266 min read

What a bathroom renovation costs in the GTA in 2026

A powder room runs $18,000 to $30,000. A primary ensuite runs $40,000 to $80,000 and up. Here is where the money goes, why heritage homes cost more, and what the cheap quotes leave out.

ProcessApril 16, 20267 min read

How Toronto building permits actually work in 2026

Toronto residential permits cost $20 to $25 per square metre of new floor area plus fixed fees, and run 4 to 12 weeks for review. Here is what triggers them, what does not, and what to do if your contractor says you do not need one.

CostsApril 16, 20266 min read

What a home addition costs in Toronto in 2026

A rear single-storey addition in Toronto runs $450 to $650 per square foot. A second-storey addition runs $550 to $750. Committee of Adjustment can add five months. Here is when not to add at all.

ProcessApril 16, 20267 min read

HST on renovations in Ontario, in plain terms

Federal HST is 13 percent on labour and materials for renovations in Ontario. The Substantial Renovation Rebate exists but rarely applies. Owner-occupied resale exemptions have gotchas. Here is the real math.

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto in 2026?

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CostsApril 16, 20266 min read

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Toronto in 2026?

A mid-range Toronto kitchen runs $45,000 to $90,000 in 2026. Premium gut renovations start around $120,000. Here is what actually drives the number, and where cheap quotes hide their gaps.

What a nail salon build-out costs in Toronto in 2026

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CostsApril 16, 20267 min read

What a nail salon build-out costs in Toronto in 2026

A nail salon build-out in Toronto runs $250 to $400 per square foot. Pedicure plumbing, source-capture ventilation, and Toronto Public Health pre-approval are the line items that surprise first-time operators. Here is the math.

Tarion warranty explained — what it covers and what it does not

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ProcessApril 16, 20267 min read

Tarion warranty explained — what it covers and what it does not

Tarion is Ontario's statutory warranty on new home construction — 1, 2, and 7-year coverage on different building systems. It does not cover renovations. Here is how it actually works, and why renovations need a separate written warranty.

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