Frequently asked questions

It depends on size, scope, and finish level. As a rough guide: full renovations in the GTA typically run $200–$450/sq ft, and custom homes $350–$650/sq ft. Our instant estimate tool gives you a realistic range in under 60 seconds — and every project starts with a fixed-scope proposal so there are no surprises.

Most custom homes take 9–24 months from planning to move-in; full renovations run 3–8 months depending on scope. Toronto permit approvals alone are typically 8–14 weeks. We give you a realistic schedule up front and manage every milestone against it.

Yes — completely. We manage the full City of Toronto permit application, zoning review, and inspections on your behalf. You won't deal with the city directly. Navigating bylaws in neighbourhoods like Forest Hill, Rosedale, and Lawrence Park is part of what we do.

Toronto and 15+ surrounding neighbourhoods — including North York, Richmond Hill, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville, Leaside, and The Bridle Path. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just ask.

We work on fixed-scope contracts. You know the price before we break ground, and any change is documented in Buildertrend and approved by you in writing first. No surprise invoices, no creeping costs.

Not necessarily. You can bring your own design team, or we'll coordinate trusted architects and designers we've worked with across the GTA through our design-build service — one accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough.

Yes. Nexon Build is a fully licensed and insured general contractor operating across Toronto and the GTA, and we build to the Ontario Building Code with city inspections at every milestone.

Request a free consultation, or get an instant ballpark with our estimate tool. We'll start with a conversation about your goals, budget, and timeline — no obligation. Once underway, you'll follow every stage of your project in Buildertrend.

Expect roughly $350–$650 per square foot in construction cost in 2026, depending on finish level and lot conditions. Land, design fees, and soft costs are on top. We give you an itemized, fixed-scope estimate before anything starts.

Most custom homes in the GTA take 9–24 months from planning to move-in, depending on complexity, permit timelines, and finish level.

Yes. We manage the full City of Toronto permit application process, including zoning review, the Committee of Adjustment where a minor variance is needed, and building code compliance.

Yes. We handle demolition, excavation, and the ground-up rebuild. A teardown-and-rebuild is often the better value versus a deep renovation once a home needs major structural and systems work.

You can bring your own architect, or we can coordinate design professionals we've worked with across the GTA. Either way we manage the gap between the drawings and the build.

Across the GTA — Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, King City, and the surrounding areas, including estate lots.

Roughly $400–$700 per square foot of new space in 2026. A full second-storey addition typically runs $300,000–$550,000 depending on size, foundation work, and finishes.

A home addition usually means adding volume — most often a second storey. A home extension pushes the existing footprint outward (a rear or side extension) on the same level. We build both; which one fits depends on your lot, budget, and how you want to use the space.

Most detached homes in Toronto can carry a second-storey addition, but the existing foundation and framing must be assessed first. We start with a structural review before committing to a design.

Yes — additions require a building permit, and if the design exceeds height, setback, or coverage limits it also needs a minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment. We manage both.

Plan for 8–14 weeks of permitting followed by 3–8 months of construction, depending on scope and whether a variance is required.

Often no — many additions can be built while you live in the home, though a second-storey addition involving the roof usually means relocating during the most disruptive weeks.

From about $150,000 for a mid-level renovation to $250,000–$450,000 for a full gut with standard finishes, and $450,000–$800,000+ for premium. A full gut typically runs $200–$450 per square foot.

For full gut renovations we recommend relocating during the active construction phase — typically 3–6 months depending on scope.

Most full home renovations run 4–9 months on site, plus design and permitting up front. Older homes with structural surprises can add time.

Structural changes, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require permits. We pull every permit the scope requires and manage the City inspections at each milestone.

Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized or lead plumbing, undersized framing, asbestos, and foundation issues. We plan for these up front and document any change in writing before proceeding — no surprise invoices.

Yes. You get a clear, itemized, fixed-scope price before we break ground, and every change is approved by you in writing first.

From about $30,000 for a basic refresh to $75,000 for a mid-range remodel, and $150,000+ for a full custom kitchen with premium appliances and cabinetry.

Plan for 6–12 weeks on site. Custom cabinetry takes 6–8 weeks to fabricate, so ordering early usually sets the timeline.

Custom cabinetry is millwork built and installed to your exact space, and it accounts for 30–40% of a kitchen budget. It's also the surface you touch every day, so it's the last place we'd cut.

Yes — not moving plumbing, gas, or walls is the single biggest saving. Keeping the footprint can move a project down a whole cost tier.

A like-for-like refresh usually doesn't, but moving plumbing or electrical, removing a load-bearing wall, or changing the layout does. We pull permits wherever the scope requires them.

About $15,000–$25,000 for a standard bathroom, and $35,000–$60,000+ for a full primary ensuite with premium tile, heated floors, and glass.

A standard bathroom renovation takes 3–5 weeks. A full primary ensuite build can take 6–10 weeks.

It's what keeps water out of your framing and the rooms below for decades. We install proper membranes and inspect the waterproofing before any tile goes on — it's the step you never see but always rely on.

Yes. In-floor electric heating is one of the most popular upgrades and is best installed during a full renovation when the floor is already open.

A cosmetic refresh usually doesn't, but relocating plumbing, adding a bathroom, or altering structure does. We handle permits where the scope requires them.

About $50,000–$80,000 for a legal basement apartment when the ceiling height is adequate. If underpinning is needed to gain height, add roughly $35,000–$85,000 ($70–$150 per square foot).

Yes. Finished basements and basement apartments require a building permit from the City of Toronto, and legal second suites must meet the Ontario Building Code.

1.95 m (about 6'5") over the required areas. Below that you'll need underpinning or benching to gain height before finishing.

Underpinning extends the foundation downward for a new, lower floor and keeps full floor width. Benching builds an angled concrete ledge inside the existing footing — cheaper and faster, but it eats floor area around the perimeter.

Yes. We handle the egress windows, fire separation, separate entrance, and permits required for a legal, insurable second suite — the details that make the difference between finished and legal.

Design-build eliminates the friction between architect and contractor. One team, one contract, one accountable partner — which means cost certainty earlier and fewer surprises during construction.

As a single contract. Design and drawings are usually around 8–15% of the construction cost, and the construction is carried under one budget you approve before the build starts.

Usually the opposite. Because pricing and buildability are checked during design, design-build tends to reduce change orders and rework — the costs that blow up a design-then-bid project.

Yes. We work with your architect or coordinate design professionals we've partnered with across the GTA, and manage the whole process either way.

Yes — we manage the full permit submission, including the Committee of Adjustment where a minor variance is required.

Usually a management fee of about 10–20% of the construction cost, or cost-plus (trades and materials plus a fee). Where the scope is well defined, we can also work fixed-price so you know the number up front.

Fixed-price locks a total for a defined scope — you carry less risk, we carry more. Cost-plus bills actual costs plus a fee — more transparent on a shifting scope, but the total moves. We'll recommend the right structure for your project.

You can bring your own architect or we can recommend design professionals we have worked with across the GTA. As GC we build to your drawings.

Sourcing and contracting the trades, the schedule, the budget, City inspections, site safety, and clear weekly communication — so you have one accountable point of contact.

Yes. Nexon Build is a licensed, insured general contractor, and every project is built to the Ontario Building Code with City inspections at each milestone.