Basement Renovations in Etobicoke
From postwar bungalows in Alderwood, Long Branch and New Toronto to character homes in The Kingsway and 1960s houses in Markland Wood and Eatonville, we finish Etobicoke basements and build legal secondary suites.
Why Etobicoke Basements Need a Different Approach
Etobicoke is full of bungalows, and a bungalow basement is one of the best places in Toronto for a secondary suite. Toronto limits a secondary suite to 45% of the house's interior floor area, but makes an exception for a whole basement in a one-storey detached house. For the postwar bungalows of Alderwood, Long Branch, New Toronto and Mimico, that means the entire basement can become the unit.
Those basements also come with the usual older-home problems. Many are lower than the 1.95 m a legal unit needs, or 1.85 m under beams and ducts, so the floor may have to come down by underpinning or a bench footing. Older foundations near the lake and in the Humber valley are more prone to water, and original drains often sit below the sewer line. We measure, check for moisture and scope the drains before we design.
As part of the City of Toronto, Etobicoke allows up to four units on a lot citywide, requires no parking for them and has no registry. Toronto also pays 80% of basement flood protection costs, up to $6,650 per property, for work done on or after November 12, 2025. We manage the Toronto building permit and inspections, and run Etobicoke projects from our Oakville office.
- Licensed & insured contractors
- Transparent, itemized pricing
- Permits & approvals handled for you
- On-time delivery, every project
Basement Renovations We Do in Etobicoke
Every kind of Etobicoke basement, from a family rec room to a registered rental unit.
Bungalow Basement Suites
Whole-basement secondary suites in Alderwood, Long Branch, New Toronto and Mimico bungalows.
Underpinning & Lowering
Underpinning or a bench footing where the existing ceiling is below the legal height.
Character Home Basements
Finishing Kingsway, Sunnylea and Thorncrest Village basements while dealing with older foundations.
Family Basement Finishing
Rec rooms, offices and guest suites for Markland Wood, Eatonville and Richview homes.
Waterproofing First
Interior or exterior waterproofing, sump pumps and backwater valves before any finish goes in.
Basement Bathrooms
New bathrooms with an ejector system where the fixtures sit below the sewer line.
What Makes a Etobicoke Basement Different
These are the things that actually decide the cost, timeline and legality of a basement project in Etobicoke.
The 45% Rule and the Bungalow Exception
Toronto caps a secondary suite at 45% of interior floor area, except a whole basement in a one-storey detached house.
Up to Four Units, No Parking
Toronto allows up to four units on a lot citywide, with no parking required and no registry.
Low Postwar Basements
Many Etobicoke bungalow basements fall short of 1.95 m. Lowering the floor is the biggest single cost.
Water and Older Foundations
Homes near the lake and the Humber valley see more water. We fix seepage before finishing.
Toronto Flood Subsidy
Toronto pays 80% of costs up to $6,650 per property, including $1,600 per backwater valve and $2,250 for a sump pump.
Low Permit Fees
Toronto charges $11.53 per square metre plus $56.33 per new unit for a basement apartment, with a $214.79 minimum.
What a Basement Renovation Costs in Etobicoke
Our basement finishing starts at $55 per square foot, and legal basement apartments at $80 per square foot. Most standard basement finishes we quote land between $50,000 and $90,000, covering framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, lighting and often a bathroom. A legal basement apartment typically runs $80,000 to $175,000, because it adds a kitchen, fire and smoke separation, interconnected alarms, code-compliant windows and exits, and the permits and inspections. A new basement bathroom starts at around $20,000.
In Etobicoke, ceiling height and water set the budget. If a bungalow basement already has the height, a whole-basement suite is a straightforward project; if the floor has to come down, underpinning can add more than the rest of the finishing. Toronto's flood subsidy covers much of the valve and sump work, and the permit itself is usually a few hundred dollars.
Etobicoke Neighbourhoods We Serve
We finish basements right across Etobicoke, from the lakeshore to the north end.
Our Simple 5-Step Process
From first call to final inspection, we make finishing your Etobicoke basement clear and stress-free.
Reach Out
Call us or fill out our quick form to tell us about your basement.
Free Consultation
We visit your home, measure the ceiling height, check for moisture and talk through layout, budget and timeline.
Detailed Estimate
You receive a transparent, itemized estimate within 2 to 3 business days.
Review & Refine
We walk through the proposal together until you are fully confident.
Sign & Start
We lock in your start date and handle scheduling, permits and coordination.
Recent Basement Renovations
A look at basements we have finished for homeowners across Toronto and the GTA.
Etobicoke Basement Renovation FAQs
How much does a basement apartment cost in Etobicoke?
Can my whole bungalow basement be a secondary suite?
Do I need to register a basement apartment in Etobicoke?
My basement ceiling is low. What are the options?
Is there a basement flooding subsidy in Etobicoke?
Ready to Finish Your Etobicoke Basement?
Book a free consultation. We will measure the ceiling, check for moisture and tell you what your basement can legally become and what it will cost.
Serving Etobicoke from our Oakville office — 1040 Speere Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 2X4 · All Etobicoke renovation services