Home Renovation Tips and Ideas

A legal second suite is an officially recognized, self-contained living space that forms part of a larger property. Adding such a suite to your home is a way to convert basement to rental Toronto or to make more use of your space and provide a living area for friends or family.

There are still certain legal requirements you need to abide by; your suite will need to meet building codes and you’ll need to attain permits before carrying out any work, for example. This guide covers all you need to know to transform a basement into a legal second suite.

Every Canadian has the right to be comfortable in their house. The new regulations of the federal government seek to make homeowners wishing to improve their houses more accessible and supported. New mortgage insurance laws starting January 15, 2025 will let Toronto homeowners refinance insured mortgages to pay for developing supplementary suites like laneway houses, in-law suites, or basement flats.

Some modern homes are blessed with tall basements where you have all the space that you might need. Other houses, especially the older ones, do not have such luxury. To add extra height, a homeowner can choose either basement underpinning or benching (often called bench-footing ). Both can add height but in different ways and improve your home value. Consider both methods thoughtfully, taking into account design features and implications so that your choice leads to the best possible outcome.

When it comes to basements, most homeowners want a walk-out basement renovation and it’s only natural. This option increases the value of the home, and the cost of rent if you rent out a basement flat, it’s convenient if you live in the basement yourself.

When it comes to repair, home renovations or simple home improvement, it should be clearly understood that some improvements are impossible without professional skills and special equipment. It is necessary to address to professionals with such improvement. There are certain projects that can be much more complicated than you might think, so before trying to do something yourself, ask a professional about it.

For a basic full-home remodel, one must spend between $100 and $200 per square foot (PSF). This is the average cost for every house section, whether kitchen, bathroom, living room or others.

An unfinished basement is prone to water damage and can quickly turn ugly and smell funky due to the presence of molds. Also, the unused space can quickly become a harboring ground for pests and rodents.

Finishing the basement is a foolproof strategy that maintains your home in excellent condition. It also provides extra space and helps homeowners monetize.

And the best of all, real estate experts have proved time and again that basements increase your home’s value! No wonder an increasing number of home buyers take a keen interest in houses that boast functional basements.

So, how much value does a finished basement add?

Basements can range from partial basements to full basements, walk-ins and walk-outs. In this guide we will look at some of the main types, the options for their use, and the benefits and disadvantages that this entails.

Before you build something, you need to clear the area from anything unnecessary. Often, this “unnecessary” is the old house or capital farm buildings. And they are not as easy to get rid of as an extra tree or a pile of construction waste. How to demolish an old private house on your land, what do you need and what moments to pay special attention to?

Underpinning a basement is a process of reinforcing its structure and making it a safe, livable space. The cost of basement underpinning in Toronto ranges from around $100 to $400 per square foot. So, you might be looking at $10,000 to $20,000 for a basement space on the smaller side, like 150 square feet, or closer to $100,000 or beyond for a large one, like 1,500 square feet or more.