Legal Basement Apartments, Built End to End

We build legal basement apartments from the first assessment through to the final city inspection: drawings, permits, structural work and underpinning where ceiling height demands it, separate entrance, fire separation and proper egress. A suite is only an asset if it is legal, so every stage is inspected before it is paid for.

1 projects in the portfolio100+ GTA projects5/5 on HomeStarsFully insured

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How it works, start to finish

Step 1

Assessment and feasibility

Ceiling height, entrance options, windows and mechanical locations decide what is possible before anything is drawn.

Step 2

Drawings and permit

Layout designed to code, then submitted for the building permit.

Step 3

Structure

Underpinning if the height needs it, plus any beams and footings the new layout requires.

Step 4

Suite build

Separate entrance, fire separation, egress windows, mechanicals, kitchen and bathroom.

Step 5

Final inspection

The city signs off and the suite is tenant ready.

In-law and family suites

A suite for family is built differently from a rental. It can share the home's main entrance, which removes the cost of building a separate one, and a second laundry becomes optional rather than expected. We design it around how the family actually lives, and it can be converted to a rental unit later if that changes.

Why the inspections matter to you, not just to us

An unpermitted suite is a liability at insurance time and at sale time, and it is worth less to a lender. Building it legal from the start costs less than legalizing it afterward, and it means the suite counts as what it actually is.

What homeowners said

All 78 reviews →

★★★★★

Alex helped us remove all the load bearing walls on the main floor as well as the basement, he found every solution possible to make this happen and did an extremely professional job installing steel beams and steel posts with all the supporting concrete and wood work necessary! More Than impressed with his workmanship and would highly recommend to everyone I know doing a reno!

Chris

Donna Court Burlington

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★★★★★

Our vision has come to life and Alex and his team were nothing but outstanding throughout the whole process! Alex was always available to take our call and answer any questions we had. Your hard work and dedication is an example for everyone to follow. Your extraordinary attention to detail can only be applaud. Thank you for going above and beyond to help us achieve our goal.

Stratos Kaloutas

Harkness Drive, Whitby

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★★★★★

Alex is a problem solver by nature. Where others (previous contractors) point out problems to a project to scare a home owner or justify their outrageous quote. Alex points out clear solutions with a defined timeline. My project was very challenging due to the location on a main road in uptown Toronto. Alex met with me at least 7 times answered all my questions and concerns before he even knew he would get the job.... Read the full review

Kirk

Bathurst St, Toronto

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Questions homeowners ask

What makes a basement apartment legal in Toronto?

In plain terms: proper ceiling height, a compliant separate means of egress, fire separation between units, and the right window sizes, all confirmed by permit and city inspection.

My basement is already finished. Can it be made legal?

Often yes, but it depends on the ceiling height, the entrance and the window openings. That assessment is free and it is the honest first step.

What is the minimum ceiling height?

There is a code minimum, and where an existing basement falls short we underpin to gain the height. Underpinning is work we do in house.

Do I need a separate entrance?

For a rental suite, yes. For a family or in-law suite that shares the home's entrance, no, which removes a substantial cost.

How long does the whole process take?

Permits set the front end of the schedule and the build follows. We map the realistic timeline at the assessment rather than promising a number up front.

Legal Basement Apartments, Built End to End

How it works, start to finish

Assessment and feasibility

Drawings and permit

Structure

Suite build

Final inspection

In-law and family suites

Why the inspections matter to you, not just to us

Recent legal basement apartments projects

Toronto, Toronto

Where we have done this work

What homeowners said

Questions homeowners ask

What makes a basement apartment legal in Toronto?

My basement is already finished. Can it be made legal?

What is the minimum ceiling height?

Do I need a separate entrance?

How long does the whole process take?

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