Scarborough is the east-end mirror of Etobicoke: postwar bungalows and split-levels from the 1950s and 60s on wide, deep lots in Wexford, Cliffcrest and Agincourt, joined by 1970s and 80s two-storeys further north in Malvern and Milliken. The lot sizes and side-entrance layouts make it one of Toronto's strongest areas for legal basement suite conversion, under the city's as-of-right second suite rules.
The east-end twin of our home turf
Scarborough’s housing looks like Etobicoke’s because it grew in the same postwar decades. Wexford, Agincourt and Cliffcrest filled with 1950s and 60s brick bungalows and split-levels on lots wider than anything the city builds today. YAREX knows these houses intimately from our own borough, and we bring the same playbook east: opened main floors, rebuilt kitchens and bathrooms, and basement conversions into legal second suites. Licensed and insured, with free written estimates.
Bungalow suites and Bluffs-side work
The Scarborough bungalow is one of Toronto’s best conversion candidates. Wide lots leave room for a proper separate side entrance, and as part of the City of Toronto, second suites are permitted as-of-right in most house forms. The usual gap is height: many 1950s basements run shy of code, so underpinning or benching is often part of the scope, along with egress windows, fire separation and an updated panel. Further north, Malvern and Milliken’s 1970s and 80s two-storeys convert with less structural work. Along the lake, Birch Cliff, Cliffcrest and Guildwood add a wrinkle: properties near the Bluffs can trigger conservation authority review for structural or exterior work, so we check ravine mapping before we quote. Highland Creek and West Hill, with their larger lots near the university, round out a steady mix of family renovations.
Across the 401, any hour
Emergency restoration does not respect city geography. YAREX dispatches 24/7 from central Etobicoke, and the 401 carries our crews to most of Scarborough in 30 to 40 minutes, faster overnight when many floods and fires are called in. Water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation and fire cleanup all end the same way: we rebuild the space ourselves. 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
Scarborough — questions
01Can I legally rent out my Scarborough basement?
In most house forms, yes. Scarborough is part of the City of Toronto, where second suites are permitted as-of-right, but the suite must be built under a building permit and meet code for ceiling height, egress windows, fire separation and smoke alarms. Many 1950s bungalows need underpinning or a lowered floor to get there, which we include in the estimate.
02Is YAREX too far away to work in Scarborough?
No. We plan Scarborough projects the same as any other: crews and materials are scheduled to the site daily, and the 401 puts most of Scarborough 30 to 40 minutes from our Etobicoke base. For emergencies we dispatch 24/7, and overnight runs across the 401 are quick.
03What is different about renovating near the Bluffs?
Homes in Cliffcrest, Guildwood and Birch Cliff sit near the Scarborough Bluffs, and properties close to the ravine edge can fall under Toronto and Region Conservation Authority review for additions or structural work. Interior renovations are usually unaffected. We check TRCA mapping before quoting anything structural there.
04Do you renovate Scarborough condos and townhouses?
Yes. Condo corridors around Scarborough Town Centre and along Kingston Road, plus the townhouse complexes of Malvern and Milliken, are all within our service area. Condo jobs run through management approval, insurance and elevator booking, which we arrange.
Fixed estimate. Permits handled. Scarborough to Etobicoke.
We hold one contract from demolition to handover, and answer the emergency line around the clock across the GTA.