Guides
What we explain at the first meeting, written down with the sources.
- What a custom home costs in the GTA in 2026Published 2026 construction costs for custom homes in the GTA: $500 to $1,130 per square foot before land, HST and soft costs, with worked examples by size.Read
- How long a custom home takes in OntarioA typical custom home in the GTA takes 10.5 to 12.5 months from the first meeting to handover: 1 month of plans, 2 for the permit, then 7.5 to 9.5 to build.Read
- Renovate or rebuild?How zoning, the foundation, the structure and cost decide whether to renovate an existing house or build a new one in the Greater Toronto Area.Read
- Building permits for a house in OntarioWhat needs a building permit for a house in Ontario, what a complete application includes, the 10 business day review, and the inspections during construction.Read
- Minor variances in OntarioHow a minor variance works in Ontario: the four tests in section 45(1) of the Planning Act, the hearing, and who can appeal within 20 days.Read
- Design-build or architect and builder?Two ways to run a custom home: design-build with one team, or an architect and a builder hired separately. How each handles cost, design, risk and changes.Read
Have a lot, a house or a set of drawings? That’s where we start.
Tell us where the property is and what you’d like to build, and we’ll tell you what we need to see next.