RENOVATION GUIDES
Straight answers before you renovate.
Costs, permits, suites, egress windows and moisture, written for homeowners in Kawartha Lakes and Durham Region. Each guide links to the official sources.
How much does it cost to finish a basement in Ontario?
There is no single price for finishing a basement. The size of the space, the finish level, whether you add a bathroom or bar, bedroom egress windows, moisture repairs and permits all move the number. Published ranges are a rough starting point only; a real price comes from a visit to your home and a written scope.
7 min readDo you need a permit to finish a basement?
In most cases, yes. Every municipality in our area lists basement finishing, new rooms, plumbing or structural changes as work that needs a building permit, and electrical work needs a separate ESA notification. Rules differ by municipality, so always confirm your project with the local building department before work starts.
7 min readLegal basement apartments in Ontario: what homeowners need to know
Since Bill 23, many Ontario homes on municipal water and sewer can have up to three units without a rezoning. A basement apartment still needs a building permit and must meet Building Code rules for fire separation, exits, alarms and more. Every house is different, so requirements are project-specific.
7 min readBasement egress windows in Ontario: when you need one and what it involves
If a basement level has a bedroom and no exterior door, the Ontario Building Code requires an escape window that opens without tools and meets minimum opening sizes. Enlarging a window usually means cutting the foundation and needs a building permit. Cost depends on the foundation, window, well and drainage.
6 min readHow to keep a finished basement dry and warm
Fix water problems before you finish anything. Natural Resources Canada warns against insulating a basement with moisture problems from the inside. Once the basement is dry, the right mix of insulation, air and vapour control, and floor treatment keeps it comfortable.
7 min readWhat happens at a free site meeting with Oakridge?
You tell us about your project, we reply personally and arrange a free site meeting at your property. We review the space, your priorities and visible conditions, then work toward a written proposal with the scope, price and allowances. There is no charge for the first meeting.
4 min read