Basement finishing and rebuilds in Toronto and the GTA
Rebuild Pro Contracting finishes new basements and rebuilds flooded ones across Toronto and the GTA, handling framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring and paint with one team. Finishing a basement typically costs $45 to $85 per square foot, or about $40,000 to $70,000 for 800 square feet.
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What does our basement finishing service include?
- Design, layout and building permit drawings
- Framing, insulation and vapour control built for below-grade walls
- Electrical, lighting, plumbing and HVAC rough-ins
- Bathrooms, wet bars, laundry rooms and bedrooms with egress windows
- Drywall, flooring, doors, trim and paint
- Municipal and ESA inspections through to final sign-off
How do you rebuild a basement so the next flood does less damage?
A rebuild is the chance to choose materials that tolerate water. We use pressure-treated bottom plates on a gasket or steel stud framing, rigid foam or closed-cell spray foam instead of batts against the foundation, mould-resistant drywall held half an inch off the floor, PVC or composite baseboards, and vinyl plank or tile flooring.
Materials only limit the damage. If water came through the foundation, a floor drain or the sewer line, that source needs to be fixed before anything is rebuilt. Our sister company DryFort Waterproofing handles foundation waterproofing, sump pumps and backwater valves, and we schedule the rebuild behind them.
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Toronto?
In most cases, yes. Toronto and the surrounding GTA municipalities require a building permit to finish a basement when the work includes new or altered plumbing, structural changes, new HVAC runs, or creating a bedroom or second suite. Electrical work is permitted separately through the ESA. We prepare the drawings, submit the application and book every inspection.
Restoring a previously finished basement to the same layout after a flood is usually treated as a repair, but new plumbing or layout changes bring it back under permit.
How long does it take to finish a basement?
Construction takes 6 to 10 weeks for a typical 700 to 1,000 square foot basement with one bathroom. Permit review adds 2 to 6 weeks at the start depending on the municipality. A like-for-like insurance rebuild is often faster, around 3 to 6 weeks, because the layout and rough-ins already exist.
How much does basement finishing cost in the GTA?
$45 to $85 per square foot
An 800 square foot basement with a three-piece bathroom typically costs $40,000 to $70,000. Legal secondary suites cost more because of fire separation, egress and separate services. Post-flood rebuilds are priced line by line against the insurer's scope.
How long does it take?
6 to 10 weeks of construction for a full finish; 3 to 6 weeks for a like-for-like rebuild after water damage.
Basement finishing: frequently asked questions
What ceiling height do I need?
- The Ontario Building Code generally requires about 6 feet 5 inches (1.95 m) of clear height over most of the required floor area in a finished basement, with lower clearances allowed under beams and ducts. We measure and confirm before design.
Can I upgrade my basement during an insurance rebuild?
- Yes, and many homeowners do. The insurer pays the cost to restore what was there, and you pay only the difference for upgrades such as a new bathroom, better flooring or pot lights.
Do you build legal basement apartments?
- Yes. Secondary suites need a permit, fire separations, proper egress, and interconnected smoke and CO alarms. We design to the code requirements for your municipality.
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