If you have a basement that is sitting half-empty or packed with things you barely use, you are not alone. It is one of the most common situations we run into when we first visit homes across Toronto, North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke. Most of these spaces have real potential – the square footage is already there, the structure is solid, and with the right plan they can become something the whole household actually uses in the long-term. This is why basement renovations Toronto have turned out to be of supreme importance.
Kandoo is a Toronto based contracting company focused also on basement renovations. We are a newer team, but every one of us has spent years on job sites across the GTA, and we started Kandoo because we felt homeowners deserved a contractor who communicates clearly, respects the building code, and does not leave them guessing about timelines or costs.
Be it for a legal basement apartment, a family room for relaxation, a professional office for work, or an accommodation for guests, our team takes care of everything right from the bare concrete stage to a fully finished permit-approved living space – ready for you to use and enjoy.
Toronto’s housing market has made square footage space more valuable than ever. A finished basement can add anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 or more to your resale value depending on the neighbourhood and the quality of the finish. Remember that beyond resale, the practical benefit is instant – you get usable space without relocating, or having to pay the land transfer tax or purchasing in the current market.
Apart from this, there is also the income angle. A legal basement apartment in Toronto, once properly permitted and inspected, can generate around $1,500 to $2,200 per month in rental income depending on the area and the suite.
In some homes, located in East York, Scarborough, and North York, this figure alone makes up for the entire expense of a renovation in less than five years.
Basement development goes beyond interior finishing. Structural integrity is highly critical, and a mistake on this front will result in costly repairs in the long run. Below is the list of items that we consider when assessing your project initially:
The biggest threat to your basement is water. Our very first step in offering any kind of flooring, drywall, or insulation advice is assessing where water may be entering the space from – whether it’s groundwater entering from the basement floor, moisture building up on cold exterior walls, or even problems with the grading around your home’s perimeter. In Toronto’s older neighborhoods – particularly houses constructed prior to the ‘70s in areas such as East York and Scarborough – we frequently run into problems with outdated drainage systems. Waterproofing done properly at the start saves you from thousands of damages in the long-run.
If one wants to make a basement livable according to the building code in Ontario, then there should be a ceiling height of no less than 1.95 meters (six feet five inches). There are many houses in Toronto that do not meet this condition. In this case, the solution can be to lower the floor by means of underpinning. However, this will take more money and time. We will inform you whether this is necessary in your case or not.
In case you are constructing a bedroom space in the basement, it needs to have an egress window, one which would be able to provide a means of escape during emergencies. This is something that has been mandated by the City of Toronto for a rental suite or even a basement bedroom in any other situation. Whenever applicable, the cost involved in excavating the space to install the window is quoted upfront.
Basement floors and walls in Toronto winters are prone to damage due to lack of insulation. However, it is essential to understand that according to the construction code, the minimum level of insulation is R-20, yet surpassing this limit provides additional benefits.
Typically, most of the houses built before the year 2000 in Toronto do not have the capability of electricity required for finishing the basement completely. It is important that the electrical system is able to cater to all the appliances that would be installed, along with lighting facilities. That is the reason we always coordinate with a licensed electrician and plumber.
Basements with low air circulation will become suffocating very fast and may cause health complications after prolonged use. That is why it is important to have good ventilation. In all our renovations, we install HRV systems and appropriate ducting. This is also mandatory by law under the Ontario building code.
There is no one size fits all package. The correct basement renovations are based solely on what you intend to use the basement for, your budget, and what the City of Toronto permits under your zoning. Having said that, here are some of the most popular renovations that we undertake:
One of the most frequent tasks that we undertake involves creating a legal basement suite in Toronto. There are certain conditions that need to be met when developing a basement suite, such as a dedicated entry point, fire separation, egress windows, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and obtaining all necessary permits from the municipal authorities. We will do everything from permit applications to inspections. This is particularly essential if the suite is meant to be rented, as any violation can result in penalties and even demolition of the structure.
A recreation room is perhaps one of the best ways to utilize the space in your basement. The space could be used for entertainment purposes, relaxation, and family bonding. Everything from framing to installing lighting fixtures and choosing your flooring options, whether it be LVP, engineered hardwood, or tile, is taken care of by us. Custom accents, wet bar construction, and storage solutions can also be included. Rec rooms normally take around four to six weeks to complete.
The idea of having an official home office space has gained importance over time. The basement area provides an excellent opportunity to create such a space. We ensure that the area receives sufficient light, storage options, wiring, and sound insulation to provide you with comfortable working space.
In addition, basements also present us with an opportunity to make suitable accommodation arrangements for our guests and relatives. These places will be designed with ease of movement in mind. Wider door frames, convenient access to a bathroom, and other aspects are taken care of at the very beginning.
The installation of a gym in the basement is very convenient. Rubber flooring, wall mirrors, ventilation system, and even individual electricity supply will be put in place. The basement is ideal for a home gym due to its lower temperatures, absence of noise pollution, and sufficient space for equipment.
In case there is insufficient height in the basement ceiling, you may consider underpinning. This involves digging below the existing foundation structure and lowering the floor to gain extra height. Underpinning is one of the most challenging projects as it requires careful design, engineering drawings, and permission from the City of Toronto.
We keep the process simple because a renovation project will put you through a lot without having a complex process and bad communication. Below is a summary of what happens when you engage us:
We come to your place, measure, analyze, and discuss what you expect from your project. It is a free visit that usually lasts around one hour. We do not pressure you to make any decision during this phase; we go back, review, and give you a quote.
We prepare a floor plan and a scope of work. All our quotes are detailed, and it is easy to know what each cost is. You can request to replace or add anything and get an immediate quotation.
If you have plans to modify the structure, install new plumbing, make electrical modifications, or construct a secondary suite, we will take care of the permits on your behalf. Our team knows what the inspectors are looking for, and our work will meet those criteria, passing on the first inspection.
There is framing, insulation is installed, and everything else pertaining to the mechanics – plumbing, electrical, and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) – gets done at this point too. Underpinning and waterproofing and egress windows also occur during this phase of construction.
Drywall, flooring, baseboards, doorframes, tiles, cabinets, fixtures, and light fittings are installed. This is when the area begins to take shape according to design. All work is carried out by our team, maintaining control over quality and schedule.
The timeline depends on the scope. Here are the realistic estimates based on our projects:
Basic recreation room or home office
4-6 weeks
Guest suite (bedroom+bathroom)
6-8 weeks
Legal basement apartment
8-14 weeks
Project requiring underpinning
12-20 weeks
The biggest thing of a project duration would be obtaining approval from the City of Toronto.
It would take anywhere from two to three weeks if the construction job is relatively simple. However, if there were plans to add another unit or if there would be any structural modifications, it could take up to four to eight weeks.
This is considered right from the beginning to avoid delays once construction begins.
This is the step where people tend to get things wrong. There will be some contractors who try to persuade you not to apply for a permit to save time and costs, but doing so can bring many troubles to your life in the future.
If the work is done permits, your home insurance may not cover that part of the house. When you sell your home, buyers and lawyers check the permit records – as missing permits can delay or even cancel the sale.
In this case the city of Toronto can even ask you to remove the work that was done without approval. Remember if you have illegal basement units then they can lead to fines and those constructions can be forced to shut down.
We will do all the work associated with permits – from applications to approvals, you don’t need to worry about anything.
This is a list of extremely frequent mistakes made by contractors while working on basements, and this may lead to serious complications later:
Such errors are pretty common, mostly occurring when there is a hurry to design a project or the contractor lacks the experience to identify what municipal inspectors expect from your project.
We take our time at the beginning to avoid unnecessary expenses and headaches in the future.
Basement requirements in terms of desires among property owners have evolved greatly. Here is what is currently desired by homeowners for their basements.
Homeowners desire large open areas rather than tiny confined areas. The new concept in designing basements involves combining various spaces including sleeping quarters, bathrooms, and lounging areas all in one space.
The homeowner wants a basement that lasts long and therefore requires soundproofing, proper flooring systems, as well as finishing material that is sustainable. The design aims at maximizing the longevity of the rental unit with minimal repairs required.
As most people continue to embrace home-based jobs, there is an increasing demand for setting up workstations in basements complete with internet connections, adequate power outlets, storage facilities, and soundproofing.
An emerging trend in designing basements entails setting up spaces that make the basements ideal for accommodating parents or aged relatives. Some of the important considerations when setting up these spaces include access ramps, wide doors, and easy access to bathrooms and showers.
The issue of energy consumption by homeowners has gained more attention lately. The presence of good insulation, efficient lighting, and adequate ventilation should be standard, not additional features. This reduces expenses in the long run while improving the interior of the house.
In summary, today’s trend emphasizes comfort, durability, and functionality.
Do I require a permit to complete my basement in Toronto?
Yes, in most cases involving basement renovations. The City of Toronto needs permits for altering the structure, installing new plumbing and electrical, adding an egress window, and the construction of any secondary suites. Not having permits puts you at a great risk upon selling your property, and may void your insurance. Permitting comes free with all projects where applicable.
What is the lowest ceiling height that will be considered habitable for a basement renovation Toronto?
According to the Ontario Building Code, it must have a minimum ceiling height of 1.95 metres, which is about 6 feet 5 inches, in order for the basement to be considered liveable. In case your basement is lower than the code, there is underpinning available.
What is the time period required for basement remodeling Toronto?
For a typical rec room or an office setup, this process will take four to six weeks. For a complete legal apartment, the period will be eight to fourteen weeks, which includes obtaining the necessary permits. Basement renovations that require underpinning will take four to five months. We always give you a definite time period before the project starts.
Does it need to be waterproofed prior to finishing a basement?
Not necessarily, but it must first be considered. If there is any sign of moisture, hydrostatic pressure, or damage caused by water, we won’t advise proceeding with the finishing process. No matter how good the drywall or flooring is, it won’t last more than two years.
Kandoo is a local Toronto company that specializes in basements throughout the city and GTA region. Although this firm has only recently opened its doors, the group of contractors working here has been involved in home renovations in Toronto for several years. This company was created in order to provide a better approach within the field, which often does not boast of good reputation.
We are fully insured and licensed in Ontario, and we follow Ontario Building Code regulations in all of our services. Permits are obtained when required by law. Our employees remain constant, we do not use temporary contractors — the same crew completes each order from start to finish.
We work in:
If you have been considering getting a basement remodeling Toronto the first thing that you should do is arrange for a visit to your home. There are no obligations or fees involved, since we will simply visit your home, give you an accurate estimate of the work that you could be doing, and tell you what kind of cost it will entail. The renovations that our team at Kandoo offers are top-notch, since they will be permitted and completed according to plan. Our services are currently available in Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, and York.
You may contact us now on 647-303-3011 for a visit to your home. Within one working day, you should hear from us.
