Scarborough

Whole-House Renovations in Scarborough

Whole-house renovations across Scarborough, from older homes near the Bluffs to the 1960s, 70s and 80s houses further north. One team for design, permits and every trade.

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Scarborough Whole-Home Renovations

Every Room at Once in Scarborough

Scarborough grew fast after the war, and the census shows it. Across Scarborough's six federal ridings, 38.4% of homes were built between 1961 and 1980, and in Scarborough Southwest, along the Bluffs, 38.6% went up before 1961. Homes of that age frequently need new wiring, plumbing and insulation, and doing it all in one project means each trade opens the walls only once.

Further north and east, the housing changes. In Scarborough North, 29.3% of homes were built in the 1980s, and in Scarborough-Guildwood-Rouge Park, 52.5% are single-detached houses. A whole-house renovation is the natural moment to fix a chopped-up main floor, a missing ensuite or a dark kitchen that the original plan left behind.

Toronto's programs apply here as they do across the city. Older homes may still have a lead water service, the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy can cover backwater valves and other protection, and the Home Energy Loan Program finances energy upgrades through the property tax bill.

Licensed & insured contractors
Transparent, itemized pricing
Permits & approvals handled for you
On-time delivery, every project

Bedroom with a slatted wood wall and soft lighting

Pricing

Scarborough Whole-House Renovation Costs

Three levels of renovation cover most projects. Based on our 2026 GTA cost guide, a light cosmetic update runs about $50 to $100 per square foot, a mid-range full renovation $100 to $200, and a full gut with high-end finishes $200 to $350 or more.

Kitchens often take 15 to 20% of the budget, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC 15 to 25%, higher in older homes, so a house that needs all-new systems will sit higher in its range. Hold back 10 to 15% as contingency for what the walls reveal.

Read our full GTA whole-home renovation cost guide →

What We Build

Scarborough Whole-House Projects

What Scarborough owners most often ask us to plan and build.

Postwar House Gut Renovations. Taking 1950s to 1970s houses to the studs and rebuilding systems, layouts and finishes.
1980s Home Remodels. Updating Scarborough North houses with new kitchens, baths, flooring and lighting throughout.
Open Main Floors. Removing or opening walls between rooms, with engineered beams and permits in place.
Multigenerational Layouts. Reworking a house so extended family can live together, including a second unit where zoning allows.
Basement Integration. Finishing the lower level with flood protection as part of the whole-house plan.
Envelope and Energy Upgrades. Insulation, air sealing, windows and heat pumps designed in from the start.

At a Glance

Scarborough in Figures

Homes built 1961 to 1980	38.4% (2021 census, six Scarborough ridings)
Scarborough Southwest, built before 1961	38.6% (2021 census)
Scarborough North, built 1981 to 1990	29.3% (2021 census)
Interior alteration permit (2026)	$11.53 per m²; $214.79 minimum
Basement flooding subsidy	Up to $6,650 per property
Home Energy Loan Program	Up to $125,000 at fixed rates

Local Expertise

Scarborough Conditions We Plan Around

These factors affect most whole-house projects in Scarborough.

Asbestos in Older Materials

Health Canada advises hiring a professional to test for asbestos before renovating, and a specialist to remove it if found.

Lead Service Lines

Lead pipes are a concern in houses built before the mid-1950s. The City prioritizes its side once you commit to replacing yours.

Flood Protection

The City subsidizes up to $1,600 per backwater valve, to a maximum of $6,650 per property, with a permit and inspection.

Permits and Fees

Interior alterations are charged $11.53 per square metre in 2026, and every permit carries a $214.79 minimum.

More Units Allowed

Toronto permits up to four units in Neighbourhoods, so a gut renovation can add a suite where zoning allows.

Knob-and-Tube Wiring

In the oldest houses, ESA notes that many insurers will not provide or renew coverage while knob-and-tube remains.

How It Works

Our Simple 5-Step Process

Five clear steps take a Scarborough renovation from first call to finished home.

Reach Out

Call us or fill out our quick form to tell us about your home and your plans.

Free Consultation

We visit your home, measure the space and talk through layout, finishes, 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.

Good to Know

Scarborough Whole-House Renovation FAQs

How much is a whole-home renovation in Scarborough?

Our 2026 GTA guide puts most projects at $100 to $300 per square foot. For a 2,000 sq ft home, that is about $100,000 to $200,000 for a cosmetic refresh and $400,000 to $700,000 or more for a high-end gut renovation, with mid-range work in between.

Which parts of a Scarborough renovation need a permit?

Toronto requires a permit for structural or material alterations, such as removing walls, and for installing or modifying plumbing or heating, a backwater valve or a chimney. Repairing or replacing plumbing fixtures and installing cabinetry do not. We prepare drawings and apply for you.

Should I gut and renovate or rebuild my Scarborough house?

If the foundation is sound and the layout can be reworked, a gut renovation often costs significantly less than a teardown and rebuild. Ontario's HST relief also covers substantial renovations that remove or replace 90% or more of the livable interior, when work begins between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 and the home is worth less than $1.85 million.

Can I add a suite during a Scarborough renovation?

In many cases. Toronto permits up to four units in Neighbourhoods across the city, so a gut renovation is a good moment to plan a basement or upper unit with its own entrance and fire separation.

Is there funding for older Scarborough homes?

Several City programs help. HELP loans of up to $125,000 finance energy upgrades through your tax bill, the flooding subsidy covers up to $6,650 per property, and the City replaces its side of a lead service on a priority basis once you commit to replacing yours.

Where We Work