Before you call a contractor.

Pick your project

• 
  Fence

  84 ft, gate, old one out

  $8,290–9,750

  Guide: Building a fence on a property line

  Calculator
• 
  Deck

  300 sq ft, railing, stairs

  $28,200–38,190

  Guide: Composite vs. pressure-treated decking

  Calculator
• 
  Driveway

  640 sq ft, old asphalt out

  $12,100–16,400

  Guide: Asphalt vs. concrete vs. paver driveways

  Calculator
• 
  Patio

  350 sq ft, standard base

  $9,690–13,110

  Guide: Pavers vs. stamped concrete for a patio

  Calculator
• 
  Roof

  18 squares, one layer off

  $8,600–11,640

  Guide: Asphalt shingles vs. metal roofing: which costs less over time?

  Calculator
• 
  Pool

  Medium, heater and cover

  $55,730–92,900

  Guide: Pool fence rules: what the inspector checks before you fill

  Calculator
• 
  Windows

  Inserts, fully installed

  $4,590–6,210

  Guide: Is triple-pane glass worth it?

  Calculator

Typical installed ranges before tax, at 2026 Greater Toronto rates.

New to renovating? Start here.

1. 1When do you need a building permit?Painting and new flooring almost never need a permit.
2. 2Questions to ask a contractor before you hire themEvery contractor will say yes when you ask about a licence and insurance.
3. 3How to compare contractor bidsThree bids for the same job can come in thousands of dollars apart, usually because each contractor priced a slightly different job.

• Where the money goes in a kitchen renovationCabinets and labour take close to 60% of a kitchen budget before you've picked a single tile.
• Bathroom remodeling: waterproofing, layout and costIn a shower, the waterproof membrane behind the tile keeps water out of your walls and floor.
• Kitchen island clearances: how much space you needPlan on 42 inches of walkway on every side of an island, 48 if two people cook, and 12 inches of overhang for seating.
• Plumbing traps, vents and drain slope: what inspectors checkThe trap under every sink holds a few inches of water that blocks sewer gas, and the vent keeps that water from being siphoned out.
• How to size and vent a bathroom exhaust fanFigure one CFM of fan per square foot of floor, with 50 CFM as the minimum, and run the duct all the way outside.

• How to tell if a wall is load-bearingYou can usually tell what a wall is doing by looking in the basement and the attic, without opening anything up.
• What makes a secondary suite legalA second unit needs two separate approvals from two departments: zoning, which decides whether your lot can have one, and the building code, which decides whether the unit you build is legal.
• Finishing a basement: what to check before you frameMost basement problems are settled before framing starts.
• Hardwood vs. engineered vs. vinyl plank flooringHardwood, engineered wood and vinyl plank differ most in how they handle moisture and whether you can refinish them.
• Planning a home addition: foundation, roof and servicesAn addition is a small house built against the one you have.

• What causes ice dams and how to stop themIce at the edge of your roof comes from warm air leaking into the attic.
• Is triple-pane glass worth it?Going from single to double pane makes a huge difference.
• Asphalt shingles vs. metal roofing: which costs less over time?Architectural shingles cost about half as much as standing-seam metal to install, but you'll likely replace them once or twice in the life of a metal roof.
• Do you need a panel upgrade for a heat pump?Maybe not for the heat pump alone.

• Asphalt vs. concrete vs. paver drivewaysAsphalt is the cheapest to put in and concrete usually lasts longer; pavers cost more but are the easiest to repair.
• Building a fence on a property lineOld fences are often built off the property line, so confirm the real line with a survey or the corner pins before you build.
• Composite vs. pressure-treated deckingComposite costs about twice as much to build and needs almost nothing afterwards.
• Pool fence rules: what the inspector checks before you fillIn many places you can't fill a new pool until the fence and gates pass inspection.
• Pavers vs. stamped concrete for a patioStamped concrete gives you one continuous surface for less money, but it will crack somewhere, and a repair always shows.

• How to compare contractor bidsThree bids for the same job can come in thousands of dollars apart, usually because each contractor priced a slightly different job.
• When do you need a building permit?Painting and new flooring almost never need a permit.
• How much deposit should you pay a contractor?A fair deposit is usually 10–20% of the job, and in some states the law sets the limit for you.
• Fixed-price vs. time-and-materials contractsWith a fixed price, the contractor carries the risk of surprises and charges you for it.
• Can a subcontractor put a lien on your house?Yes.
• Warning signs of a renovation scamMost renovation scams follow the same pattern: a knock at the door, pressure to decide today, a demand for cash, and a price that only makes sense if the work never gets finished.
• Questions to ask a contractor before you hire themEvery contractor will say yes when you ask about a licence and insurance.
• How to fire a contractorFiring a contractor the wrong way can turn a bad renovation into a lawsuit against you.
• How to avoid scope creep and surprise change ordersMost change orders come from decisions nobody made when the job was quoted, which then get priced mid-project by the only contractor on site.