Basement Legalization and upgrades
We handle permits, design, and construction from start to finish.
⭐ Trusted by Toronto Homeowners. Licensed & Insured · Legal Basement contractor
🔎 Inspection pass guaranteed
Why Renomod?
- Licensed contractor
- Free consultation and quote
- Fast and reliable service
- Reasonable price
- Flexibility in design
- Top-rated by customers
Before and after of Finishing a basement
Why Legalize Your Basement?
legalize basement Toronto opens opportunities. Whether you want a rental suite for extra income or more comfortable space for family, a legal basement increases safety, functionality, and property value, while ensuring everything meets building code and city standards.
Rental income & added property value
Improved safety, ventilation & fire separation
No risks of city violations or insurance issues
We cover all your renovation needs
Design & Permits
We handle the full design and permit process, including architectural drawings, code compliance, and submission to the city. Clear, accurate plans that make approval smooth and stress-free.
Finishing & Upgrades
From flooring and kitchens to lighting, bathrooms, and fireplaces, we complete your legal basement with high-quality materials and clean, professional craftsmanship tailored to your style.
Basement Legalization
We bring your basement up to code for safe and legal rental use, egress windows, fire separation, soundproofing, ventilation upgrades, and everything needed for City of Toronto approval.
Can Your Basement Become Legal?
Here is the million-dollar question every homeowner asks before starting a basement project: Is my basement eligible to become a legal secondary suite?
Before investing in a renovation, find out if your basement can legally become a secondary suite. We assess ceiling height, fire safety, egress, HVAC, plumbing, and zoning to determine what’s possible, and what changes are required.
Get a clear yes-or-no answer, a simple action plan, and accurate costs so you can move forward with confidence.
Ontario Building code: Key requitements for legal basement unit
Ceiling Height Standards
Min 1.95m(6'5") general area, 1.85 under obstructions.
Fire Separation and Doors
30-min fire resistance rating between units. 20-min rated solid core doors.
Egress window specifications
Required in every bedroom. min opening .35 m2. Must open without tools.
Interconnected Alarms
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be hardwired and interconnected between both units.
Separate Entrance
Private, direct exterior access required. Cannot pass through main dwelling.
Electrical and Permits
All work must pass ESA inspection. Building permit is mandatory for legal status.
Toronto Basement Permits: Process, Risks and Rules
When is a permit required?
✅ Permit Required
✅ Structural Changes
✅ Finishing a basement
✅ creating a separate entrance
✅ Any new floor space
✅ New Openings
✅ New plumbing rough-ins
✅ New HVAC systems
✅ Home addition
❌ Not Typically required
❌Finishes: Painting, new flooring, or tiling
❌Replacements
❌Installing new kitchen cupboards
⚠️ Risks of Renovating Without a Permit
🛑Stop Work Orders: The City can halt your project indefinitely until permits are retroactively approved.
💵Financial Penalties: You will be charged an additional 50% administrative surcharge on top of permit fees if caught working without one.
🏛️Resale Nightmares: Open permits or unpermitted work are red flags for buyers and real estate lawyers, often killing deals.
🔴Insurance Voids: Many home insurance policies will deny claims (e.g., flood or fire) if the work was done illegally.
Our Permit Management Process
📏Step 1: BCIN Design & Drawings
We prepare professional architectural drawings (Floor plans) compliant with the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
👷♂️Step 2: Submission & Zoning Review
We submit your application to Toronto Building services. City examiners check for Zoning Bylaw compliance (setbacks, height, coverage).
💰Step 3: Approval & Fees
Once approved, the City issues the permit. Typical Fee: Approx. $20–$25 per $1,000 of construction value.
📄Step 4: Inspections
We schedule the mandatory City inspections at key stages: Framing, Plumbing, HVAC, Insulation, and Final Occupancy.
Frequently asked question
Basement finishing costs depend on size and material choices. On average, prices vary based on layout, flooring, walls, insulation, lighting, and whether you're adding a bathroom or kitchen. We provide a free in-home estimate with a clear itemized quote so you know your exact cost before starting.
If you are adding new walls, electrical, plumbing, or converting your basement into a legal basement, a living space, yes, you need a permit. Cosmetic-only projects (like painting or replacing flooring) usually don’t. We can handle the permit process for you.
Not every basement qualifies to be a legal basement. Ceiling height, layout, window/door access, and plumbing all matter. We’ll assess your basement and tell you what upgrades are needed to make it legal.
Most finished basements take 4–8 weeks, depending on design and features. Legal basement apartments can take longer if permits or inspections are involved. We give you a timeline before work begins.
Yes. Once approved, your basement becomes a legal secondary suite, meaning you can rent it legally and safely, with compliance to Ontario standards.
Yes, finishing your basement is usually worth it. A finished basement increases your home’s usable living space and can add significant value to your property. If you convert it into a legal basement unit, it can also generate rental income. Many homeowners use finished basements as family rooms, offices, gyms, or guest suites. It’s one of the highest return-on-investment renovations in Toronto.
Basement Legalization
Absolutely five-star service. Max did an amazing renovation in my basement. it was even better than I expected. Perfect work and very nice behavior. Definitely recommended.
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