North York pairs two extremes: postwar bungalow streets in Willowdale, Newtonbrook and Bathurst Manor, many being renovated or rebuilt, and the dense condo corridor along Yonge and Sheppard. Don Mills adds planned 1950s mid-century houses with clean lines worth preserving. Bungalow basements here are prime candidates for legal second suites under Toronto's as-of-right rules.
Two housing markets in one district
North York gives us two very different kinds of work, often on the same day. On the ground are the postwar streets of Willowdale, Newtonbrook, Lansing and Bathurst Manor: 1950s bungalows on wide lots, many owned by families deciding between renovating and rebuilding. In the air is the Yonge corridor, one of Canada’s densest condo strips, running from Sheppard through North York Centre to Finch. YAREX handles both. We are licensed and insured, and every project starts with a free estimate.
Bungalows, suites and Don Mills
The North York bungalow is a natural two-unit house. Lots are wide enough for a separate side entrance, and because North York falls under City of Toronto rules, second suites are permitted as-of-right in most house forms. The constraint is usually the basement itself: ceilings a few inches short of code, older panels, and no proper fire separation. Our conversions bundle underpinning where needed, egress windows, fire-rated assemblies and the building permit into one scope. Don Mills is its own case, a planned 1950s community whose mid-century houses have simple rooflines and post-and-beam touches. We renovate these with restraint, opening plans and replacing mechanicals without erasing what makes them distinctive. In Bayview Village and York Mills, larger lots push toward full-home renovations and custom carpentry.
Restoration on the 401 corridor
Our Etobicoke base sits near the 427 and 401 interchange, which puts most of North York 20 to 30 minutes up the highway. Emergency crews run 24/7 for burst pipes, flooding, sewer backups, mold and fire damage. We handle extraction, drying and demolition, then rebuild the space under the same 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
North York — questions
01Can I add a basement apartment to my North York bungalow?
In most cases yes. North York is part of the City of Toronto, where second suites are permitted as-of-right in most detached and semi-detached homes. You still need a building permit and the suite must meet code for height, egress and fire separation. Postwar bungalows often need underpinning and a separate side entrance, both of which we build regularly.
02Do you renovate condos along Yonge and Sheppard?
Yes. The towers around North York Centre, Bayview Village and Sheppard-Yonge are a core part of our condo work. We coordinate management approvals, insurance certificates, elevator bookings and quiet-hours rules, and rebuild kitchens and bathrooms within them.
03Is it worth renovating a Don Mills mid-century house or should I rebuild?
Don Mills houses from the 1950s and 60s have simple structures and good bones, which makes deep renovation viable and often cheaper than rebuilding. We open plans, update mechanicals and keep the mid-century character where owners want it. The honest answer depends on the foundation and what you want, which is what the free estimate is for.
04How fast can you reach North York in an emergency?
We dispatch 24/7 from central Etobicoke near the 401 and 427. Via the 401, most of North York is 20 to 30 minutes away, less overnight when emergency calls tend to happen.
Fixed estimate. Permits handled. North York to Etobicoke.
We hold one contract from demolition to handover, and answer the emergency line around the clock across the GTA.