Markham pairs heritage Unionville and Markham Village with some of the GTA's largest 1990s and 2000s subdivision builds in Berczy, Wismer, Greensborough and Cornell, plus 1980s stock in Milliken and Markham's side of Thornhill. The subdivision homes are entering their first full renovation cycle, and Cornell's new-urbanist laneway houses renovate differently from standard tract two-storeys.
Markham’s two housing stories
Markham runs from 19th-century Main Street Unionville to subdivisions that were farmland in 1995. YAREX works across that whole range: heritage-sensitive interior renovations in the old villages, first-cycle kitchen and bathroom rebuilds in Berczy and Wismer, basement suites in Milliken, and high-spec projects in Cachet and Angus Glen. The company is licensed and insured, and estimates are free.
Subdivisions at first-renovation age
The bulk of our Markham work is in the 1990s and 2000s stock. Berczy, Wismer and Greensborough two-storeys are now 20 to 30 years old, and their builder kitchens, ensuites and unfinished basements are due for real renovation. These basements usually carry full ceiling height, so converting one into a permitted suite means a separate entrance, kitchen, fire separation and egress rather than excavation, and Markham permits additional residential units under provincial rules with permit and registration requirements. Cornell is its own case: new-urbanist planning with rear laneways and detached garages changes site logistics and opens laneway-suite potential on some lots. At the heritage end, Unionville and Markham Village include conservation districts where exterior and structural changes need heritage approval, so we sequence those permissions before demolition, not after. Milliken’s 1980s homes and Thornhill’s older Markham side round out a steady flow of family renovations.
Restoration across the 407
Markham is the far corner of our service map, and we plan for it. Emergency crews run 24/7 from our Etobicoke base, taking the 427 to the 407 across the top of the GTA. Thornhill arrives in about 35 minutes and Cornell closer to 45, faster overnight. Water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation and fire cleanup all finish the same way, with YAREX rebuilding the space under one contract. Call (416) 358-2059.
- 01Kitchen Renovation$25,000 – $150,000+ · 4–8 weeks
- 02Bathroom Renovation$15,000 – $45,000 · 3–5 weeks
- 03Basement Finishing$35 – $90 per sq ft · 6–10 weeks
- 04Legal Basement Apartment$80,000 – $150,000 · 10–16 weeks
- 05Full Home Renovation$150 – $250+ per sq ft · 3–6 months
- 06Condo Renovation$60 – $150 per sq ft · 4–8 weeks
- 07Carpentry & Finishes$2,000 – $30,000+ · 1–3 weeks
- 08Water Damage Restoration24/7 · 3–7 days drying, then rebuild
- 09Mold Remediation24/7 · 2–5 days remediation, then rebuild
- 10Fire & Smoke Restoration24/7 · 1–2 weeks cleanup, rebuild varies
Markham — questions
01Are basement apartments legal in Markham?
Yes. Markham permits additional residential units in most low-rise homes under provincial rules, with a building permit, zoning compliance and registration requirements. The build itself must meet Ontario Building Code for height, egress, fire separation and smoke alarms. Most 1990s and 2000s Markham basements have the ceiling height to convert without underpinning.
02Do you work on heritage homes in Unionville and Markham Village?
Yes. Both areas contain heritage conservation districts, so exterior or structural changes can require heritage approval from the City of Markham on top of the building permit. Interior kitchens and bathrooms are usually simpler. We identify the property's heritage status before quoting so approvals are in the schedule from the start.
03What is different about renovating a Cornell house?
Cornell was built on new-urbanist lines: rear laneways, detached garages and coach-house lots. That layout affects site access and makes some properties good candidates for laneway or garden suites where zoning allows. Inside, the houses are standard 2000s construction and renovate predictably.
04How fast can YAREX reach Markham in an emergency?
We dispatch 24/7 from Etobicoke, taking the 427 to the 407 across the top of the city. Thornhill and Milliken are typically 35 to 45 minutes, and eastern areas like Cornell closer to 45, faster overnight when most emergency calls come in.
Fixed estimate. Permits handled. Markham to Etobicoke.
We hold one contract from demolition to handover, and answer the emergency line around the clock across the GTA.