FOR TORONTO HOMEOWNERS PLANNING A RENOVATION OR CUSTOM BUILD
General Contractor in Toronto
Real permits, real timelines, real costs. No disappearing acts, no hidden surprises, no excuses.
Free 15-Minute Consultation Call
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Licensed, insured, and fully permitted
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Transparent costs — no low bids that balloon
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One team, accountable start to finish
Hiring a general contractor in Toronto is one of the riskiest decisions a homeowner makes.
Not because most contractors are bad — but because the bad ones are hard to spot until it’s too late.
- The contractor took a large deposit and the project stalled — Toronto has a serious problem with renovation fraud. Contractors who demand 30–50% upfront, then delay, disappear, or produce poor work — leaving homeowners with half-finished projects and no recourse.
- The work was done without permits — and now it’s your problem — Unpermitted work in Toronto can result in fines up to $50,000, forced demolition of finished work, voided insurance, and serious complications when selling the property. Many homeowners don’t find out until it’s already done.
- The quote looked great — until the change orders started — Low initial quotes that grow through a stream of change orders are one of the most common renovation experiences in Toronto. By the time you’re three months in, walking away isn’t an option — and the contractor knows it.
A general contractor in Toronto who handles design and construction together — so nothing falls through the gap.
Sandra Raven holds the City of Toronto Building Renovator licence — the licence required to legally supervise renovation work in the city. Habitual Homes is fully insured, and we work exclusively with licensed tradespeople for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Johanna and Sandra both graduated as architects in Venezuela and have 10 years of construction experience across three countries. We design what we build — so the scope is better defined, drawings are permit-ready from the start, and there are fewer surprises once work begins.
Every estimate is detailed and written. Payments are tied to milestones, not large upfront deposits. We manage all permits and inspections, and you have one point of contact throughout.
We’re not the cheapest option in Toronto. We’re the one that gives you a realistic cost, a real timeline, and a team that’s accountable for the outcome.
Why Toronto Homeowners Choose Habitual Homes
Licensed and fully permitted — every time
We hold the City of Toronto Building Renovator licence. We pull permits for every project that requires them, coordinate all required inspections, and work with licensed trades for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. This isn’t optional — it’s how we protect you and your home.
Transparent pricing — no surprises after you sign
We provide detailed, line-by-line estimates that show you exactly what’s included. If something unexpected comes up during construction — and in older Toronto homes, it often does — we stop, document it, and get your approval before proceeding. No change orders without your sign-off.
Design built into the contracting process
Because we have architectural training, we think about proportion, light, material quality, and how spaces connect — not just how to execute a set of drawings. That means fewer design regrets and fewer costly mid-project changes.
What our clients say
How We Work With You
Step 1: Book a free 15-minute call
We find out what you’re planning, whether it’s realistic for your budget and timeline, and whether we’re the right fit. No obligation, no pressure.
Step 2: Detailed estimate and scope of work
We assess your space, prepare a line-by-line estimate, and agree on a written scope before any work begins. You know exactly what’s included and what it costs.
Step 3: Construction — managed, permitted, and accountable
We handle permits, coordinate all licensed trades, manage the schedule, and keep you updated at every stage. One team, one point of contact, from first day to final inspection.
10 Reasons Why Clients Choose Us
Everything you need to bring your custom home to life — start to finish.
- We Help You Understand Your Options (Not Just Quote Them): Most contractors quote whatever you show them. We sketch 2-3 different layouts, explain why each works (or doesn’t) for your space, and help you make an informed decision.
- We Tell You What We’d Actually Do: We’re not salespeople. We recommend what we’d choose if this were our own home—including when a cheaper solution makes more sense or when you shouldn’t renovate at all.
- No Surprises on Cost or Timeline: Because we design and build, we know exactly what things cost before we draw them. You get accurate budgets from day one—no “beautiful design that’s 3x over budget” surprises.
- We Design Around How You Actually Live: We ask about your morning routine, how you cook, where your kids do homework. The final design works for your real life, not just for photos.
- We Don’t Push You Toward the Most Expensive Option: If there’s a $12K solution that achieves your goal, we’ll tell you—even if it means a smaller project for us. We’re building a reputation, not chasing every dollar.
- We Have Architectural Training, Not Just Construction Experience: We understand spatial relationships, building codes, and structural realities. We catch problems (plumbing limitations, ceiling height issues) before they become expensive surprises.
- One Team From Start to Finish: You work with Sandra and Johanna from first consultation through final walkthrough. No handoffs. No “the designer said this but the contractor says that.”
- We Only Work With Licensed Trades and Pull Proper Permits: We turn down projects where clients want to skip permits or use unlicensed contractors. We explain why shortcuts hurt you later—even when it’s not what you want to hear.
- We’re Selective About the Projects We Take: We ask detailed questions about your budget, timeline, and expectations. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you. If there’s a better solution for your situation, we’ll recommend it.
- We Educate Before You Ever Call Us: Our YouTube videos teach you about design decisions, renovation realities, and Toronto-specific challenges. By the time you contact us, you already understand how we think.
What’s Included in Every Project
City of Toronto Building Renovator licence
We hold the licence required to legally supervise renovation work in Toronto under Municipal Code Chapter 545.
Licensed trades for all mechanical work
Every electrician, plumber, and HVAC technician we work with holds the appropriate Ontario trade licence. No exceptions.
Permit drawings and full permit coordination
We prepare permit-ready drawings and manage the city application, submission, and inspection process from start to finish.
Written estimates and milestone-based payments
No large upfront deposits. No vague quotes. Payments tied to project milestones with a clear written contract.
Architectural training behind every project
Design-build means the same team thinks through proportions, layout, and material quality — not just how to execute a set of drawings someone else produced.
Single point of contact throughout
You work with Sandra and Johanna directly — not a project manager you’ve never met, and not a rotating cast of subcontractors who don’t know your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear often — answered honestly
We don’t offer in-house financing, but many of our clients use:
- Home equity lines of credit (HELOC)
- Renovation loans through their bank
- Credit cards for smaller projects
We provide detailed cost breakdowns upfront so you can secure financing before we start. Our payment schedule is typically:
- 25% deposit when you sign the contract
- 25% when demolition is complete
- 25% at mid-point (framing/rough-in complete)
- 25% at final completion
This protects both you and us—you’re not paying for work that hasn’t been done yet.
This is why we involve you at every decision point—layout approval, material selection, progress updates, pre-finish walkthrough.
By the time we get to final completion, you’ve already seen and approved everything. But if there’s something that doesn’t meet our quality standards (crooked tile, poor paint finish, fixture issues), we fix it before we consider the project complete.
We do a detailed final walkthrough together, create a punch list of any items that need adjustment, and complete them before final payment is due.
Our goal is that you’re thrilled with the result—not just satisfied. If something isn’t right, we make it right.
We offer a 1-year warranty on our workmanship and pass through all manufacturer warranties on materials and fixtures.
Q: How do I know if a contractor is actually licensed in Toronto?
For renovation work in Toronto, the contractor should hold a Building Renovator licence issued by the City of Toronto. You can ask to see the licence number and verify it with the city. Sandra Raven holds the Building Renovator licence for Habitual Homes — we’re happy to share that information upfront.
For electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work, those trades must each hold their own provincial licences in Ontario. We work exclusively with licensed tradespeople, and we coordinate that on your behalf. You don’t need to vet each subcontractor individually.
If a contractor can’t point you to a licence number quickly, that’s a red flag. Licensed contractors are used to being asked.
Q: What’s a reasonable deposit to pay upfront?
In Toronto, a reasonable deposit for a legitimate renovation contractor is typically 10–20% of the total project value, paid at the time of contract signing. It covers material orders and project mobilisation.
Be cautious of contractors asking for 30, 40, or 50% upfront — that’s not standard practice and has been the pattern in several high-profile Toronto renovation fraud cases. Deposits should be tied to a signed contract with a clear scope of work, payment schedule, and dispute resolution clause.
We structure payments in stages tied to project milestones — not large lump sums at the start. That protects both sides.
Q: What work requires a permit in Toronto?
More than most homeowners expect. Structural changes (removing or adding walls, underpinning, additions), electrical upgrades, plumbing changes, HVAC modifications, basement finishing, decks over a certain height, and any change to the building envelope typically require a permit in Toronto.
The consequences of skipping permits are serious: fines up to $50,000, stop-work orders, being forced to open up finished work for inspection, and difficulty selling the property. Some unpermitted work also voids homeowner insurance.
We handle permit applications, coordinate with the city, and manage inspections as part of how we work. If a contractor tells you something doesn’t need a permit and you’re not sure, it’s worth getting a second opinion before work starts.
Q: Why do renovation quotes vary so much between contractors?
Usually, because they’re not quoting the same scope. A low quote often means something has been left out — permits, debris removal, specific materials, certain labour tasks. When you compare quotes line by line rather than just the bottom number, the gap usually narrows or explains itself.
Other times the difference is real: different quality of materials, different levels of experience, different overhead structures. A contractor with lower rates might also have less insurance, fewer licensed tradespeople, or less capacity to manage complex problems when they come up.
We provide detailed, line-by-line estimates so you know exactly what’s included. We’d rather lose a project to a competitor who quoted lower than have you discover later what was missing.
Q: How do you handle permits and inspections?
We manage the full permit process — application, drawings, submission, and follow-up with the City of Toronto. Toronto permit timelines run 10–15 business days for minor projects and 20–30+ days for major ones. We factor that into your schedule from the start.
We also coordinate all required inspections: framing, insulation, electrical rough-in, plumbing, and final occupancy. Inspections are not optional — they’re what protects you if something ever goes wrong with the work.
Because our team has architectural training, our permit drawings are prepared correctly from the beginning. Incomplete or incorrect drawings are one of the main reasons permits get delayed. We don’t submit until we’re confident they’ll pass.
Q: Do you do the work yourselves or subcontract everything?
It’s a combination — which is standard in the industry and not a problem when managed well. We directly manage project coordination, design decisions, and construction supervision. For licensed trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC — we work with licensed subcontractors we know and trust.
The key is who is on site, who is accountable, and whether the trades are actually licensed. We’re on site throughout the project. We’re the single point of contact for you. And every trade we use holds the appropriate Ontario licence.
What we don’t do is hand your project off to a crew and check in occasionally. Sandra or Johanna are involved throughout.
Q: What’s included in your project management?
Scheduling and coordinating all trades, managing material deliveries, handling permit applications and inspections, reviewing work quality at each stage, communicating progress to you regularly, and managing change orders when scope changes come up.
We use a single point of contact model — you don’t need to track down the electrician, the tile setter, and the framer separately. You talk to us, and we coordinate everything behind the scenes.
We also do a walkthrough with you at key milestones before moving to the next phase, so nothing gets covered up without your awareness and approval.
Q: How realistic are the timelines you quote?
We give you the realistic version, not the optimistic one. A kitchen renovation in Toronto typically runs 6 to 12 weeks from construction start. A full floor renovation is 3 to 5 months. A major whole-home renovation or addition is 9 to 18 months. A custom build is 18 to 36 months.
These timelines assume permits are approved before construction starts — which is why we start the permit process early. They also assume a 10–20% buffer for the unexpected conditions that almost always show up in older Toronto homes.
If a contractor is quoting you timelines that sound significantly shorter than these, ask how they’re accounting for permit time, material lead times (windows and doors alone run 12–16 weeks), and trade scheduling.
Q: What areas of Toronto do you serve?
We work across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area — including Leslieville, East York, Riverdale, the Beaches, the Danforth, Leaside, Rosedale, Forest Hill, Midtown, North York, Scarborough, and the west end.
Our Services
Renovation services we offer in Toronto Whether you’re finishing a basement, remodeling a kitchen, or transforming your entire home — we handle design and construction together.
Kitchen remodeling in Toronto →
Bathroom remodeling in Toronto →
Basement finishing in Toronto →
Full home renovation in Toronto →
Interior renovations in Toronto →
Exterior renovations in Toronto →
Home additions in Toronto →
Historic home renovation in Toronto →
Not sure if we’re the right fit?
Let’s talk about your project and see if our approach aligns with what you’re looking for.
What happens on this call:
- You tell us about your space and goals
- We give you a quick assessment of what’s realistic
- We explain how we work and what happens next
- No obligation, no pressure
General Contractor Services in Toronto
Habitual Homes is a licensed general contractor and design-build firm in Toronto. We manage kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement finishing, home additions, full gut renovations, and custom home projects across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Sandra Raven holds the City of Toronto Building Renovator licence, and we coordinate licensed trades for all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
What to Look for When Hiring a General Contractor in Toronto
The most important things to verify before hiring a general contractor in Toronto: a valid City of Toronto Building Renovator licence, proof of liability insurance, a clear written contract with a line-by-line scope of work, a milestone-based payment schedule (not a large upfront deposit), and confirmation that all trades are licensed under Ontario regulations.
Toronto has a documented history of renovation fraud — contractors who take large deposits, produce poor work, and disappear. Working with a licensed, insured contractor with verifiable references is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself.
Why Permits Matter — and What Happens Without Them
Almost any structural renovation in Toronto requires a building permit — including removing walls, finishing a basement, adding a bathroom, building a deck over 600mm, or adding a room. Working without permits exposes homeowners to fines up to $50,000, stop-work orders, forced demolition of finished work, and complications with insurance and resale.
We handle permit applications and coordinate with the City of Toronto as a standard part of every project. If a contractor tells you a permit isn’t necessary and you’re not confident that’s accurate, it’s worth verifying independently before work begins.
General Contracting for Toronto’s Older Housing Stock
Most of Toronto’s east-end neighbourhoods — Leslieville, Riverdale, the Beaches, East York, the Danforth — are built on pre-1960s housing stock. These homes have character and often solid bones, but they also carry predictable hidden conditions: knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos in older insulation and flooring, uneven structure, older plumbing systems.
We budget for contingency from the start, not as an afterthought. Our architectural background means we look at a space holistically — understanding what the building is doing before we decide what to change.
Design-Build General Contracting — What It Means in Practice
In a traditional model, a homeowner hires a designer, who produces drawings, which a contractor then builds from. The contractor wasn’t part of the design conversation, and the designer isn’t around when decisions need to be made on site. That gap is where most renovation problems happen.
At Habitual Homes, design and construction are the same process. We think through the space, produce permit-ready drawings, and manage construction — with the same team accountable for both. That produces better designs, fewer change orders, and fewer surprises.
Serving Toronto and the GTA
We work with homeowners across Toronto — Leslieville, East York, Riverdale, the Beaches, the Danforth, Leaside, Rosedale, Forest Hill, Midtown, North York, Scarborough, and the west end — as well as Mississauga, Richmond Hill, and other GTA communities.
