Condo Renovations Toronto & GTA — Bathrooms, Kitchens, Full-Unit Renos with Board Approval Handled
Condo board approvals navigated, elevator coordination scheduled, common-area protection planned, in-suite work-hour compliance — we handle the unique constraints of condo renovation so you get a finished suite without the political friction.
✓ Elevator + freight scheduling
✓ WSIB + $2M liability insured
✓ 1-year workmanship warranty
Why Condo Renovations Need Specialized Contractors
A condo renovation is a single-family renovation wrapped in five extra layers of approval and constraint: condo board rules, common-area protection, elevator scheduling, work-hour restrictions, and neighbour-noise sensitivity. Add in lower ceiling heights, concrete slab floors, sealed envelope construction, and HVAC dependence on building chillers, and you have a fundamentally different project from a freehold house. We’ve completed 60+ condo renovations across Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, and North York.
Condo Board Approval Pre-Submission
We prepare the board-approval submission package: scope of work, contractor insurance certificate (board-named additional insured), tradesperson safety certifications, project schedule, common-area protection plan. Submission typically takes 1–3 weeks for board review.
Elevator + Freight Scheduling
Most buildings require advance booking of the service elevator + padding installation. We coordinate with property management to lock in elevator slots for demo dumps and material delivery. Missing a slot can mean 3+ days of project delay.
Common-Area Protection
Hallway floor protection, elevator pad installation, dust barrier at suite door, daily clean-up of any spillover. Buildings audit this — a single dirty hallway can trigger a stop-work order and a $500–$2,000 cleaning fine.
In-Suite Work-Hour Compliance
Most buildings restrict loud work to weekdays 9 AM – 5 PM (some 8–6). No weekend power tools. Heavy demolition often pushed to specific approved windows. Our scheduling accommodates these limits without inflating the timeline.
Neighbour Communication
Most buildings require you to notify adjacent units (above, below, both sides) 5–10 days in advance. We provide the standard notice template, contact log, and respond to neighbour concerns through the property management office.
Lower Ceilings + Slab Floor Constraints
Most GTA condos have 8’6″ ceilings (some 9′ luxury, some 8′ older). Slab floors mean no easy plumbing reroutes for islands or moved sinks. We design around these constraints rather than fight them.
Toronto vs. York Region Condo Board Differences
- Downtown Toronto condos (King Street, Yonge corridor, Liberty Village): generally have the strictest board protocols. Insurance limits often require $5M general liability, hallway protection requirements are detailed, elevator scheduling is tight (full booking 2-3 weeks ahead). After-hours work essentially prohibited.
- North York & Etobicoke condos: mid-range strictness. Most boards require board approval but the package is simpler. Elevator scheduling is less competitive (more units share fewer freight elevators).
- York Region condos (Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket): generally more relaxed. Smaller buildings, fewer concurrent renovations, more flexibility on work hours and elevator scheduling. Lower-rise (under 12 storeys) buildings often have very simple approval processes.
- Luxury / boutique condos (any city): elevated requirements regardless of location. Often require certified-mover-style padding install, white-glove cleaning, deposit cleaning fee ($500–$2,500).
Services We Provide for Condo Owners
Bathroom Renovations
Walk-in showers, custom vanities, heated floors, premium tile, slab-floor plumbing reconfigurations. Most popular project type in condos. $22K–$48K typical.
Kitchen Renovations (and Refacing)
Full kitchen replacement OR cabinet refacing (faster, condo-friendly, less debris). Custom millwork, quartz counters, integrated appliances. $28K–$95K typical. See: Condo Kitchen Renovation.
Full-Unit Renovations
Gut and rebuild the entire suite. New flooring, kitchen, bath(s), built-in millwork. Common for 800–1,800 sq ft units. $120K–$320K typical.
Custom Built-Ins & Storage
Closet systems, entry millwork, media walls, built-in desks (work-from-home essential post-pandemic), home gym storage. Specialized millwork sized for condo elevators.
In-Suite Laundry Install / Move
Adding or relocating in-suite stacked or side-by-side laundry. Requires plumbing + electrical permits + board approval. Drainage routing often complex on slab floors.
Smart Home + AV Upgrades
Hardwired CAT6, in-wall AV cabling, smart thermostats compatible with building chiller, motorized blinds, smart locks (where board permits). Often paired with full-unit reno.
Typical Condo Renovation Costs in Ontario (2026)
| Project Type | Sq Ft / Scope | Build Cost (GTA 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Condo bathroom — single 4-piece | 40–80 sq ft | $22,000–$48,000 |
| Condo kitchen — refacing only | existing layout | $14,000–$28,000 |
| Condo kitchen — full replacement | existing layout | $32,000–$72,000 |
| Condo kitchen — layout change + appliance integration | any | $58,000–$120,000 |
| Full-unit reno — 1-bedroom (600–900 sq ft) | 600–900 | $90,000–$185,000 |
| Full-unit reno — 2-bedroom (1,000–1,400 sq ft) | 1,000–1,400 | $165,000–$280,000 |
| Full-unit reno — 3-bedroom or larger (1,500+ sq ft) | 1,500+ | $240,000–$450,000 |
Downtown Toronto condos run about 10–15% above suburban condo costs due to elevator scheduling friction, parking, and trade scheduling pressure. Luxury / boutique buildings often add a “white-glove premium” of $8K–$25K for cleaning deposits, certified movers, white-glove material handling.
Want a real cost for YOUR condo?
Tell us your unit size + service-areas (bathroom only? kitchen + bathroom? full unit?). We’ll send a fixed-price scope within 72 hours, including board-approval package preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle the condo board approval submission?
Yes. We prepare the standard package: contractor information, insurance certificate (with the board as additional insured), tradesperson safety certifications, scope of work narrative, drawings (if structural), project schedule, common-area protection plan. We email it to property management and respond to board questions. Most boards approve within 1–3 weeks for typical bathroom/kitchen scopes.
How long does a typical condo bathroom renovation take?
For a single 4-piece bathroom, plan 3–5 weeks of construction after board approval. Add 1–3 weeks for board approval at the front. Restricted work hours (9-5 weekdays only) add about 15% to the timeline versus a freehold house. A typical condo kitchen takes 4–6 weeks; a full-unit reno takes 10–16 weeks.
Can you renovate while we live in the condo?
For a single bathroom or kitchen, often yes — we can keep the other bathroom or temporary kitchen setup live. For a full-unit reno, most clients relocate (rent a place or stay with family) for 8–14 weeks. Dust containment is good but not perfect with concrete drilling and slab work.
Will we need to pay a special elevator fee?
Most buildings charge $50–$200/day for elevator booking + a refundable damage deposit of $500–$2,000. We include these in the quote (passed through at cost). Some luxury buildings charge significantly more — check your property management.
What if our board denies the renovation request?
Rare but happens, usually for: (1) plumbing reroutes that violate the building’s stack design, (2) flooring that violates impact-noise rules, (3) ductwork changes that affect chiller capacity. We pre-review the scope against your building’s declaration and rules before submitting, so denials are minimized. If denied, we revise scope and re-submit.
Do you handle the in-suite plumbing routing on slab floors?
Yes. Condo slab floors prevent traditional plumbing reroutes (no joist bays to run drain pipes through). We design around this: keep fixtures within 6–8 feet of existing rough-ins, use slim-line vanities with side-discharge drains, or wall-hung toilets with in-wall tank carriers. For major moves we coordinate with the building’s plumbing consultant.
What’s the difference between refacing and replacing a condo kitchen?
Refacing replaces just the doors + drawer fronts + countertop (keeping existing cabinet boxes). Cost is $14K–$28K and timeline is 1–2 weeks. Replacement removes everything and rebuilds. Cost is $32K–$72K and timeline is 4–6 weeks. Refacing is condo-friendly (less debris, less noise, faster) but limits layout changes. Replacement enables layout reconfiguration + new appliances. See our Condo Kitchen Renovation page for details.
Can we add in-suite laundry to a condo that doesn’t have it?
Yes, if the building’s plumbing stack supports it (most do). You’ll need: dedicated drainage route to the building’s grey-water stack, 220V circuit for an electric dryer or vent route for a gas dryer (gas is rare in condos), water supply line, and a leak-protection pan. Adds $8K–$22K to a typical bathroom or kitchen reno. Board approval is required.
Are you licensed and insured for condo work?
Yes. WSIB-covered, $2M general liability (we can increase to $5M on request for boutique buildings that require it), tradesperson Working at Heights and WHMIS certified. We can name the condo corporation as additional insured on our certificate of insurance — standard request from boards.
What’s NOT included in a typical condo renovation quote?
Appliances (we coordinate but you buy), furniture, decorative blinds beyond what’s specified, audio/visual equipment, condo board fees (elevator, deposits, special assessments), HVAC system replacement (rarely required), and any building-mandated upgrades. All disclosed at quote stage.
GTA Cities We Renovate Condos In
Ready to scope your condo renovation?
72-hour fixed-price quote. Board-approval package prepared. No site walk fee. No commitment.
Related: Condo Kitchen Renovation · Bathroom Renovations · Whole-Home Renovations & Additions