5-Star Rated on HomeStars
Turn your unfinished basement into a family room, home gym or legal rental suite. One experienced team handles the design, permits, construction and final inspection.
Tell us about your basement. We'll call you the same day.
Real projects
Watch two NewHaven basements go from framing to finished, then browse more of our basement work.
Basement renovation cost
Typical 2026 price ranges across the GTA. Use them to plan your budget; your written quote is based on your actual space.
Mid-range renovation
$55–$75 per sq ft
Where most GTA homeowners land.
1,000 sq ft: about $55,000–$75,000
Legal suite or high-end
$90–$140+ per sq ft
Rental-ready or premium spaces.
Underpinning can add $30,000–$60,000+
Ranges are typical 2026 GTA figures from industry cost guides and are for planning only. Ceiling height, water issues and site conditions can move a project outside these ranges.
Cost factors
Two basements of the same size can be priced very differently. These are the choices and conditions that move the number.
Under about 7 feet? Lowering the floor with underpinning is the biggest single add-on, because it's structural work with engineering, excavation and inspections.
Any water issue has to be fixed before finishing. Interior or exterior waterproofing protects everything you build on top of it.
A new bathroom means cutting the concrete floor for drains. An existing rough-in brings the cost down.
Mineral wool insulation in walls and ceilings, resilient channel and sound-rated or double drywall dampen noise travelling between floors. Ideal for suites, media rooms and bedrooms.
Legal suites need fire-rated drywall between units, rated doors and interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
A new side entrance with an exterior stairwell is one of the larger line items.
Extra ductwork, a separate system for a suite, or an HRV to bring in fresh air.
Kitchens, home theatres and suites can need more capacity, sometimes a panel upgrade.
Luxury vinyl plank handles basement moisture well. Engineered hardwood, tile and custom built-ins cost more.
Permit drawings, engineering for structural work, and City permit fees.
Underpinning & basement lowering
Low ceilings are the most common reason basements go unused. Underpinning lowers your basement floor and deepens the foundation, so you get full-height rooms that meet code. It's specialized structural work, and our crew has been doing it in older Toronto homes for years.
Permits
Finishing a basement, adding plumbing, underpinning and creating a legal suite generally need a City of Toronto building permit. Here's how it works. We handle every step for you.
Plan
We measure, check ceiling height, exits and moisture, and confirm what's possible.
Plan
Permit drawings by a qualified designer, plus engineering for structural work like underpinning.
Approve
We submit the drawings, forms and fees to Toronto Building.
Approve
Complete house applications have a legislated 10-business-day review. Busy periods or requested changes can add time.
Approve
The permit is posted on site and construction begins.
Build
Inspections at key stages such as framing, plumbing, insulation and fire separation. Electrical work is inspected separately by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
Build
The final inspection closes the permit. Keep the records: buyers, insurers and lenders may ask for them.
Simple cosmetic updates like paint or new flooring usually don't need a permit. Not sure about your project? We'll tell you during the free visit.
Reviews
Our basement is now beautiful and the kids love their new rooms.Carlos V., total basement renovation with underpinning, on HomeStars
Full family basement renovation, including underpinning and new bedrooms the kids love.
HomeStars, Jan 2019Fit into a tight timeline and delivered on time and on budget.
HomeStars, Apr 2019New tile, moved walls, framing and drywall, all at the price quoted.
HomeStars, Jan 2016FAQ
It depends on the size and condition of your basement and what you want it to become: a finished family space, a legal rental suite, or a project that needs underpinning for more headroom. After a free on-site visit, you get a detailed written quote, so you know the cost before any work starts.
It depends on the size of the space and the scope, including whether permits or underpinning are involved. Your written quote includes a schedule, and keeping to it is something our clients mention again and again in their reviews.
Most Toronto houses can add a secondary suite, but it must meet the Ontario Building Code and Fire Code, including ceiling height, fire separation, exits and smoke alarms. We check your basement during the free visit and handle the permits and inspections.
CMHC-insured refinancing lets eligible homeowners borrow up to 90% of the home's post-renovation value (up to $2 million), amortized over up to 30 years, to build a secondary suite. The separate $80,000 Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program was cancelled in Budget 2025. A mortgage broker can confirm what you qualify for.
Underpinning lowers your basement floor by digging below the existing footings and pouring new, deeper ones. It's the main way to gain ceiling height in an older home. We measure your current height during the visit and tell you whether you need it for the space you want.
In most cases, no. We contain the work area with dust barriers so the rest of your home stays livable.
Yes. It's indoor work, so winter is one of the best times to start, and your space can be ready by spring.
Book your free basement quote today. We'll call you the same day.
