Home Additions, Framing, Demolition & Excavation Contractors in Toronto

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A Guide to Getting Estimates for Home Additions

When contemplating extending your home outwards or upwards, the very first thing you need to consider is your budget: how much money are you willing and able to spend on the project and is this going to be enough for what you desire? Once you have answered the first part of this question – how much money you wish to spend – you can tackle Home Additions Torontothe second part of the question by requesting accurate estimates from local building contractors. If you have never solicited quotations before, the short guide below will help you to get the job done quickly and efficiently, without any unnecessary drama.

Quotations for Home Additions in Toronto

Before you start asking for quotations, consider the following points carefully. A little homework beforehand can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

  • Reputation – To avoid wasting time soliciting quotes from contractors without the knowledge and experience to carry out the work you wish to have done on your home, look for companies that have a solid reputation in the area: companies that are widely recognized as being good at what they do. In this way, you will be able to ensure that the quotations you receive are from companies capable of handling all types of home additions in Toronto with ease.
  • Proximity – While there is no need to focus exclusively on construction companies that are in your neighbourhood, it is a good idea to limit your search to those that are located in the GTA and therefore have plenty of experience working with local homeowners. While the physical process of extending residential properties may be very much the same in all parts of the country, a company that is familiar with the local building code and how to apply for permits will be able to make your life a little easier.
  • Accuracy – If you want to make sure the proposals for home additions in Toronto you receive are accurate, you need to factor in the time for home visits from each contractor you approach. While you should be able to obtain rough estimates over the phone, a property inspection will be required if you want figures on which you can rely.
  • Scheduling – When you first get in touch with local building firms it is a good idea to tell them when you are hoping to have your home addition built. By letting them know upfront, you will be giving them the chance to decline to quote in the event they are unable to perform the work within the desired time frame. However, if you have your heart set on a particular contractor, you may wish to be a little flexible with regard to the completion date that you have in mind.

To obtain a highly competitive estimate from a company that specializes in home additions in Toronto, please call us during business hours or use the quotation request form on our site. We have completed many residential projects in the past and have a reputation that is second to none.

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How Basement Underpinning Can Boost Your Home’s Value

Basement Underpinning in TorontoOf all the home improvement projects you may be considering, underpinning your basement and converting it into a usable living area could be the one that offers the best return on your investment. There are a number of reasons that basement conversions of this nature are so appealing to prospective buyers in all areas of the city, the most important of which we are going to cover below. In addition to making it easier to sell your home for a good price should you decide to move at some point in the future, underpinning your foundations will, of course, also bring a number of benefits for you to enjoy should you decide to stay.

Basement Underpinning in Toronto: The Financial Benefits

Among the reasons that this particular type of home improvement can be so rewarding from a financial perspective are the following:

  • A Lot More Living Space for a Relatively Small Outlay – If you have a home addition built, you will have to pay for new walls, a new floor and a new roof. On the other hand, a basement conversion will significantly increase the living area in your home without any need to construct walls, a floor, or a new ceiling. This is one of the biggest reasons that basement underpinning in Toronto is such a popular choice among homeowners who want to maximize the ROI that they enjoy on their home improvements.
  • A Space That Is Cheap to Cool and Heat – Underpinning your existing foundations will allow you to lower your basement floor and create a new below-grade living area. Because the space is surrounded by earth on 4 sides and the rest of your home above, it is very well insulated. What this means in practical terms is that it costs less to heat in the winter and less to keep cool in the summer: a fact that can make your property considerably more attractive to prospective buyers in all income brackets.
  • A Stronger Structure – The process of basement underpinning in Toronto not only lowers the floor of your below-grade space, it strengthens the entire structure of your property, which can be a very attractive feature to buyers who take a long-term view of their property purchases.
  • A Damp-Free Home – During the process of underpinning your basement, your building contractors will naturally attend to damp-proofing at the same time so any future buyers can rest assured that your home is fully protected in this respect. On the other hand, homes with neglected basements can be hiding a wide variety of below-grade problems that do not become apparent to new owners until they have been living in the property for some time.

To discuss the prospect of converting your below-grade space with a building company that has a great deal of experience of basement underpinning in Toronto, please do not hesitate to call or email us whenever you are free. We will be delighted to answer any questions you have and to prepare a detailed quotation for your consideration.

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Underpinning Vs Your Other Options

underpinning Toronto Whilst underpinning the existing foundations of a residential property is often the best choice for those who wish to enlarge their basement and convert it into extra living space, it is not the only possibility. If the ceiling of your below-grade space is currently too low to make turning it into a living area a practical proposition, there are 3 potential solutions you may wish to consider, one of which is underpinning. In this article, we are going to take a brief look at each option to help you decide which one is the best choice for your property. As usual, if you have any questions after finishing the article, or you would like to request a quotation for a complete basement conversion, please do not hesitate to call and speak to us during office hours.

Underpinning Toronto Basements: Your Options

Some contractors offer all of the below options while others may specialize in just one or two. Your choice of solution may therefore affect your choice of contractor too.

  • Benching – Bench footing is a method of lowering the floor of your basement that does not involve excavating underneath the existing foundations. Because of this, it is cheaper than underpinning and should not pose any risk to the structural integrity of your home. Of course, a reputable contractor with years of relevant industry experience should be able to use either method without causing any damage to your home so the best thing to do, if you want to give yourself the widest choice of solutions, is to work with an established and accredited company with years of experience underpinning Toronto basements. However, if you wish to lower your basement floor and you are on a tight budget, benching may be worth considering. Just bear in mind that it does involve the pouring of concrete inside the existing foundations so you will lose a little square footage in the process.
  • Raising the First-Level Floor – A far less common solution but one that sometimes works well in bungalows is the pouring of more concrete onto the top of the existing foundations rather than underneath or inside of them. This approach results in the first-level floor joists being raised, along, of course, with the floor itself. The reason that it works better with bungalows than 2 or 3-storey properties is because it is usually easier to raise the first-floor ceiling in a bungalow, for obvious reasons.
  • Underpinning – When done correctly, underpinning a Toronto basement is definitely the most elegant solution for homeowners who want to convert their below-grade space into a new living room, den, or games area. The foundations are extended downwards with this method, with no benching intruding on the existing floorspace of your basement. The end result is a usable living area with a ceiling height of around 8 or 9 feet, which is perfect for most people’s needs.

Call the underpinning Toronto experts today to request a competitive quotation for your basement conversion project. We look forward to helping you in the very near future.

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How Underpinning Actually Works: A Summary of the Process

underpinning toronto Mass pour underpinning is the most commonly used method when undertaking basement conversion projects or strengthening the foundations of a property for structural reasons. Although it is not a job for the DIY enthusiast, owing to the excavation work and the fact that it may affect the structural integrity of your home, it is not a particularly complicated process and can be explained in a few easy-to-understand steps.

Underpinning a Toronto Property: What It Actually Involves

When you hire a local contractor to underpin your foundations, whether to make better use of your below grade space or to improve the structural integrity of your home, they will follow the steps below if they are using the mass pour method.

  • Site Survey – The first thing that your contractor will want to do is to survey your property in order to make sure that mass pour underpinning will meet your needs and will not cause any unexpected issues.
  • Application for Building Permit – If you are underpinning a Toronto property, you will need a building permit before the work can commence. Your contractor will draw up detailed plans and prepare all the necessary documentation to submit with your application to the local municipality.
  • Digging of Holes Under the Footing of Your Property – The concrete slab on which your foundation walls are standing is known as the footing and its purpose is to spread the load from the walls to the land on which your home is situated. Your contractor will dig holes underneath the footing in small sections, not all at once. The reason the holes are dug in small sections is because the footing is supporting your property!
  • Filling Holes with Concrete – After each hole has been excavated, it will then be filled with concrete.  Non-shrink grout is often used to fill the last couple of inches of each hole, to avoid the possibility of air pockets forming between the footing and the new concrete underpinning. Once the first hole has been filled in this manner, the next one will be dug, and so the process continues.
  • Installation of Waterproofing Membrane – To protect your basement from water damage, a waterproof membrane will be added when underpinning your Toronto home. This will be done once the mass pour stage has been completed.
  • Backfilling and Interior Waterproofing – The exposed foundation walls will now be backfilled and the interior of your basement can then be waterproofed with a weeping tile system and strategically positioned drainage pipes.

These are the basic steps that your contractor will follow although there is a little more to the process than this. If you would like full details of what underpinning a Toronto home involves, or you would like us to prepare a proposal for the underpinning of your property, please do not hesitate to call us whenever you have a few minutes to spare. We have completed many such projects in the area and would be delighted to help you complete yours.

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The Different Types of Addition that Home Addition Contractors Can Construct

home addition contractors in Toronto Homeowners in Toronto who would like a little more living space but are not keen on the idea of moving may like to consider a home addition instead. There are several different types of additions that are popular with local residents, each of which we are going to consider in the section that follows. Whichever type you choose, you will of course want to make sure that the building contractor you hire is capable of carrying out the necessary work to a high standard and at a competitive price.

Home Addition Contractors in Toronto and What They Can Do for You

If you find yourself a reputable contractor with plenty of experience and a team of highly skilled construction professionals, you will be able to choose between the following home addition options:

  • Ground Floor Addition – If your house is standing on a large plot of land, this is probably the easiest type of addition that you can choose. While it will result in a smaller yard or garden, it will not involve any major disruption to your household. Adding an extra room or two may be a major undertaking as far as home addition contractors in Toronto are concerned but because the majority of the work can be completed without workers entering your existing living space, it is one of the simplest from the homeowner’s point of view
  • Addition of Another Storey – If you need a lot of extra space and obtaining a building permit will not be an issue, adding another storey to your home may be an option that is worth considering. However, you should bear in mind that in order to do this, it may be necessary for your home addition contractors in Toronto to strengthen the foundations of your property first, by underpinning them.
  • Garage Conversion – Whilst not strictly an addition in the literal sense of the word, a garage conversion will add to the usable living space at your disposal so can be considered in the same category as ground and upper-storey additions. It is one of the least expensive options available to homeowners in the area and can often be completed relatively quickly.
  • A Bump Out – Similar to a Ground Floor Addition, a bump out is smaller in scope and normally involves making an existing room, such as a kitchen or living room, bigger. It is perhaps not the best choice if you want to get the biggest return on your investment in terms of extra space but may be worth considering if all you really need is a slightly larger kitchen or living area.

These are the main types of additions that local homeowners have built on their properties every year but there are other possibilities if none of these appeal. To find out exactly what is and what is not possible for your particular property, call the best home addition contractors in Toronto today: we look forward to working with you in the very near future.

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5 Things to Be Aware of When Committing to Basement Underpinning

basement underpinning in TorontoGiven the number of properties in Toronto that have a basement, it is not surprising that underpinning is such a hot topic these days. If you have decided that you would like to make use of the below grade space in your home and you believe that this is the best way to do so, there are a few facts about underpinning of which you should be aware. To save you having to search online or ask other more experienced friends and relatives, we have made a list of the 5 most important facts you should know before you get started on this type of home improvement project.

Basement Underpinning in Toronto: What You Need to Know

Acquaint yourself with the facts below before you approach any local contractors and you will be better prepared for your next home improvement project.

  1. You Will Need a Building Permit – Although you are not building a home addition that will be in plain view once it has been completed, you are making structural alterations so you will need to apply for a building permit from the local authorities. For this reason, you should hire a contractor who is familiar with the whole process and who can prepare all the plans and documentation that you will need for your application to succeed.
  2. Underpinning Is More Expensive Than Benching – Between the two options for lowering the floor in your basement, basement underpinning in Toronto is the more expensive. However, it is also the option that will provide you with the most floor space once the work has been completed, which is why it is such a popular choice.
  3. The Work Must Be Completed in Small Stages – Underpinning does take longer than many other home improvement projects but the ends justify the means as far as most homeowners are concerned. The reason it cannot be rushed is because it involves digging underneath the foundations of your house before new footings are poured into the space created. As the foundations are supporting your home, the work must be completed in small stages.
  4. Underpinning Will Strengthen Existing Foundations – If subsidence, local earthworks, or any other underground disturbance has weakened the foundations of your property, you will be pleased to know that basement underpinning a Toronto property will also strengthen these foundations.
  5. Underpinning Can Make the Addition of Extra Storeys a Practical Option – If you like the idea of being able to add an extra storey to your home at some point in the future, underpinning is the best way to lower your basement floor. By strengthening the foundations of your property, you can make adding an extra floor a practical proposition.

If you would like to know more about basement underpinning in Toronto, please feel free to call us during business hours and we will be more than happy to answer your questions. We can also make plans to visit your home and prepare a detailed quotation for your consideration if you desire.

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When Basement Underpinning is the Best Option

Basement Underpinning TorontoThere are a number of reasons that you might wish to underpin your basement, the most common of which we have listed below. Whether or not basement underpinning is the right choice for you will depend on the location and state of your property, as well as the aims that you hope to achieve. If you would like to find out why other people have this work done to their property, read the list below. If you have any questions after reading this list, please feel free to call the team at Integrity Home Additions and we will be happy to answer them.

 
Is Basement Underpinning Right for Your Needs?

Whether it is the right option for you and your home can best be decided by a professional builder but you may like to consider it in one of the following situations:

  1. Converting a Basement into Living Space – Many properties have quite spacious basements that would function perfectly as extra living space, if only the ceilings were a little higher. Whilst it is of course impossible to actually raise the ceiling of a basement, you can achieve the same aim by underpinning the foundations to lower the basement floor. If you want to lower your basement floor without going to the expense of underpinning, you could consider benching instead. However, if you do decide to go down this route, you should be aware that you will lose some of the floor area that you were hoping to convert into a new living space.
  2. Repairing Damage from Natural Forces – In some cases, the foundations of a property may deteriorate owing to natural forces such as earthquakes or floods. In such cases, it is often possible to repair the damage through basement underpinning.
  3. Adding an Extra Storey to Your Home – There are certain types of home additions, such as adding an extra floor, that normally require the existing foundations to be strengthened. Whether or not this will be necessary is something that is best determined by a structural engineer or another suitably qualified building expert.
  4. Damage Caused by New Developments in Close Proximity – If your property is in close proximity to major new building developments, there is a chance that the work performed by excavation contractors prior to the construction of these developments may have caused the earth surrounding your property to shift. Such shifts may result in damage to the foundations of your home, which basement underpinning could remedy.

These are the most common reasons that homeowners consider having their basement foundations underpinned so if you are in a similar situation to any of the above examples, you may like to enquire about our basement underpinning services. Whether it is the right solution for you can only really be determined after a thorough survey but in the event that it is not the most practical option, we may be able to suggest an alternative course of action that will help you to achieve the same aims.

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What Exactly Do Excavation Contractors Do?

Excavation Contractors TorontoIf you are planning a new construction, whether one of the simple ground floor home additions that homeowners across the country often contemplate or a more ambitious project that involves the building of a completely new property, you are going to need to excavate the proposed site beforehand. Excavation contractors may not have the most glamorous jobs in the construction industry and they rarely get their fair share of glory whenever a new building has been completed but they provide an essential service nonetheless. If you have ever wondered exactly what they do or you would like to know why you will need to find one to help with your new project, the rest of this article will hopefully answer your questions.

 
What Excavation Contractors Do

This is not an exhaustive list but it will give you a good idea of what these contractors do on building sites across Canada and all around the world.

  1. Trenching – One of the most important jobs that excavation contractors perform is the digging of foundation trenches prior to the construction of a new building. Without a solid foundation on which to rest, most new buildings of any appreciable size would slowly subside into the surrounding soil, causing the walls to crack and eventually threatening the overall structural integrity of the whole edifice. In some cases you may need to hire demolition contractors as well, to clear your site before excavation work can begin although you may find one firm, such as ours, that can handle both tasks with ease.
  2. Swimming Pool Excavations – Some people say that a swimming pool is nothing more than a large hole in the ground and whilst any self-respecting pool contractor will tell you otherwise, it is certainly true that a good swimming pool starts off with a decent-sized hole in the ground. If you haven’t already guessed, the people to call when you want to excavate a large hole in your yard are of course your friendly, local excavation contractors.
  3. Exploration – On sites where it is believed that historically important artefacts may lie under the surface of the soil or that there may be hidden dangers making construction on the land inadvisable, you will normally need to excavate before you can proceed with your building project. In cases such as these, it will be necessary to hire a team of experienced excavators who can complete the work in a safe and sympathetic manner.
  4. Ditches for Utilities – When new gas or water lines need to be laid, excavation contractors can dig the necessary trenches. In some cases, the local utility company will do the work but in others, you will need to hire your own excavation team.

We hope that the above has given you some idea of what contractors who specialise in excavation work may do during an average working week. If you have any questions about excavating or you would like to find out more about our services, please call during business hours or email us at any time.

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Should You Move Home or Invest in a Home Addition?

home additions TorontoThis is a question that many families find themselves having to answer at some point or another but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best answer for you and your family will depend on your personal circumstances as well as the type and location of the property in which you live. If you are having difficulties deciding between having one or more home additions built and simply packing up and moving to a bigger property, asking yourself the following questions may help you to make the right decision.

 
Home Additions or Moving Home: Which is the Best Solution for You?

Before you get in touch with local estate agents to find out what is available in your area, ask yourself the following questions. You should involve your family at this stage as well, to ensure that everybody is able to have their say.

  • Is Extending Your Property a Practical Option? – If you do not have enough land on which to build out, you may still be able to add the space that you need by building up. However, if you are planning to build up rather than out, basement underpinning to reinforce your property’s foundations is probably something you will need to consider beforehand. If it turns out that both extending outwards and upwards are impractical solutions, a move to a new house may be the only option available to you and your family.
  • How Much Value Will a New Addition Create? – If one or more of the home additions that you are considering will add almost as much value to your property as they will cost to build, then staying put and extending your existing home is definitely worth serious consideration. Moving home is a major undertaking, both in terms of personal finances and the disruption that it will inevitably cause to every family member’s life. If you can achieve the same objectives by staying where you are, at little or no real cost, then you will be able to avoid a lot of unnecessary upheaval.
  • How Settled Are You? – Aside from practical building considerations such as whether basement underpinning could help to provide you with the extra living space that you need (either by enabling you to use the basement itself or by adding an extra storey to your home), you should consider what moving would mean to each member of the family. If you have children in school who are soon to take important exams or you are in a location that is particularly convenient for work, home additions may be more appealing than uprooting the entire family and moving to a new location. This will be especially true if the move will also necessitate moving your children to new schools.

If you would like to find out which home additions may be the most practical and cost effective for you and your family, please get in touch with Integrity at your convenience. We will be delighted to assist you in any way that we can.

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Key Questions to Ask Demolition Contractors Before Hiring

demolition contractors TorontoDemolishing existing structures on a plot of land to make way for a new building or for certain types of home additions may sound like an easy task but it is one that must be carried out by experienced professionals to ensure it is completed safely, efficiently and at a reasonable cost. Whether you are a private homeowner who would like to demolish a residential property in order to make way for a brand new one, or a commercial developer who needs to clear a large plot in preparation for a new office block or other commercial building, there are a number of questions you should ask any demolition contractors with whom you are thinking of working. There may be other questions that you need to ask owing to your particular circumstances or requirements, but the ones that are listed below are those that we would recommend you ask, regardless of your individual circumstances or needs.

 
Finding the Best Demolition Contractors in Your Area

When you are talking to prospective contractors, remember to ask them all of the following questions before you consider putting them on your shortlist.

  1. Do You Have All the Necessary Permits? – In order to be able to legally operate in Toronto, or anywhere else in the country for that matter, demolition and excavation contractors need to have the correct permits and approvals from local authorities. Without these approvals and permits, it is not possible for a contractor to demolish any type of structure whilst staying within the law.
  2. How Much Experience Does the Demolition Team Have? – In order to work together safely and efficiently, as a cohesive unit, each member of the team needs to be familiar not only with their own responsibilities but those of their co-workers as well. It is therefore a very good idea to ascertain the amount of experience that demolition contractors have as a unit and not just as individuals.
  3. Is Disposal of Debris Included? – Disposing of the rubble that is left after demolishing a building or buildings may cost more than the actual demolition itself so you need to make sure that any quotations you receive cover the disposal of all waste materials. All reputable demolition contractors should include this cost so if you receive a quote that does not, it may be best to give that company a wide berth.
  4. What Kind of Equipment Do They Use? – A company that uses well-maintained, modern equipment will be able to complete your project in a safer and more efficient manner than one that relies on out-of-date machinery to get the job done. Make sure that the firms you are considering have good quality power tools and excavators at their disposal.

Before you make your final choice, you should ask for detailed quotations from all the firms with which you are thinking of doing business. When you have examined these at length, you can either make an even shorter list of demolition contractors or go ahead and choose the most competitive one that ticks all of the boxes above.