Whole-Home Renovations that Honour History and Embrace Modern Living

When a century-old red-brick in Rosedale or a mid-century estate in the Bridle Path no longer meets the cadence of modern life, a piecemeal update won’t suffice. You need a whole-home transformation that respects heritage bones while weaving in contemporary comfort. SevernWoods orchestrates this balance with quiet precision, compressing schedules without surrendering a single detail of craftsmanship.

From our first consultation to the moment you turn the key, our team manages every trade, permit and finish so that you experience a seamless, white-glove renovation journey, and, ultimately, a residence that feels both timeless and unmistakably yours.

Partnering with Toronto’s Premier Heritage-Home Renovator

Architectural Integrity: Heritage façades, golden-ratio proportions, and millimetre-perfect millwork ensure new spaces look as though they have always belonged.
Accelerated Timelines: Pre-construction rigour and design-assist collaboration compress a typical 16-month whole-home renovation to as few as 12 months, without cutting corners.
Transparent Financial Stewardship: Fixed-fee design phases, open-book trade bids, and a live cost dashboard keep budgets clear and client-controlled from day one.
Curated Trade Partnerships: Long-standing relationships with specialist craftsmen guarantee consistent quality, site etiquette, and sustainable practices.
Impeccable Communication: Work directly with a dedicated site supervisor; expect weekly progress reports and same-day responses to evolving ideas, concerns and questions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto Home Renovations

What is a whole-home renovation?

A whole-home renovation transforms every aspect of your home you want to change. This includes interior layout, finishes, mechanical systems, and often the exterior. SevernWoods expertly integrates historical elements with modern function to create today's luxury while paying homage to your Rosedale Edwardian or Forest Hill mid-century.

How long does a whole-home renovation take?

Our renovations usually take 10 to 16 months, depending on scope. Thanks to our design-assist and pre-construction planning process, we consistently deliver in up to 25% less time than the industry average.

Can I live in my home during the renovation?

In most full-home renovations, we recommend relocating. Our projects involve extensive systems upgrades and structural work that can make it unsafe or impractical to remain on-site. Our clear communication and precise planning will help you make personalized plans based on your renovation timeline.

How much does a whole-home renovation cost in Toronto?

Budgets start around $275 per square foot and can exceed $450+ depending on structural changes, finish levels, and complexity. We provide cost transparency early through a fixed-fee design phase and open-book trade bids. Our cost guide offers more detailed information.

Do you work in heritage or historically designated homes?

Yes! This is one of our specialties. We regularly work in designated zones like Cabbagetown, Rosedale, and Summerhill, and we’re fluent in navigating Toronto’s heritage permit process and site-specific bylaws.

Can I include a home addition in a whole-home renovation?

Absolutely, but the specifics will depend on your home and location. Many clients add rear extensions, third-storey suites, or laneway/coach houses as part of a broader whole-home transformation. We evaluate zoning, structural feasibility, and return on investment early in the process.

Do you provide design services?

While we’re not a design firm, we offer design-assist. This is a collaborative approach where we work closely with your architect or introduce you to partners we trust, ensuring your vision is both inspiring and buildable.

What’s included in SevernWoods’ whole-home renovation process?

From early design feasibility and transparent budgeting to site-supervised execution and thoughtful aftercare, we manage every detail to ensure your renovation is seamless and architecturally sound. Whether you're working with your own architect or need an introduction, we guide the project from concept to completion with fixed-fee design phases, curated trade partnerships, and a commitment to finishing on time, without compromise. See more about our detailed process here.

Unlock the same numbers we share in our client strategy sessions. These real-world budget ranges for heritage renovations, additions, finishes, and contingency are all here.

This concise guide distils two decades of SevernWoods' estimating data into an easy reference you can use to:

Forecast investment before you spend a dollar on drawings
Compare apples to apples when architects or lenders ask, “What’s your budget?”
Avoid sticker shock by understanding where costs spike (and where they don’t)

Receive Access Today

When we bought our home in 2006 we knew there would be a ton of work and that we needed a real pro to help us out. Tom Cumming and SevernWoods Fine Homes were an invaluable resource for us, offering help in all stages of our planning, and working closely with us to ensure that we were always informed and aware of how the ever moving target of home renovation might impact us.

Kelly S.

This was our first major renovation and we were under a tight timeline with the sale of our previous home. SevernWoods provided a detailed quote and even suggested some smart enhancements beyond what we were envisioning. Right off the bat we had a great level of comfort and confidence in their team. The work started right away and they managed to meet the promised deadline so we could move in on time (even with some "unexpected" discoveries along the way).

John-Paul F.

We benefited from their roster of loyal tradespeople who did outstanding work and managed to stay on time and on budget despite the pandemic. Their crews were kind and courteous - we actually enjoyed seeing them in our backyard every day! Laneway housing is somewhat new in Toronto but they were patient as we navigated the process and we are thrilled with what we built together.

Nikki B.

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