Basements · Toronto & the GTA
Basement Renovations & Legal Basement Apartments
Finished basements, legal second units and in-law suites across Toronto and the GTA. One family-owned team handles the design, the permits, the code requirements and every trade, with a dedicated project manager from start to finish.
- 5.0★on Google
- Best of 2024HomeStars
- Since 2015Family-owned
- LicensedInsured & WSIB-covered
Why J Group
A Basement Done Properly, From the Floor Up
A basement is only as good as what's behind the drywall. We check for moisture, plan the layout around your ceiling height and mechanicals, and build to code, so the space stays dry, warm and legal for years.
- Permits handled: drawings, the building permit and every inspection
- Moisture first: we find and fix water issues before anything is finished
- A dedicated project manager on every job, from the first visit to the final walkthrough
- Licensed trades for plumbing, gas and electrical, done to code
- A clear quote before any work starts, and a written 2-year workmanship warranty
What clients say
"I haven't had many great experiences with contractors in the past, and I have bought and flipped 11 homes in the GTA. J Group is by far the most professional, transparent and accountable team I have ever worked with."Marc A.Has bought & flipped 11 GTA homes
What we build
Basement Renovation Services
From a family room to a full legal apartment with its own entrance.
Finished basements
Family rooms, home theatres, gyms, offices and guest rooms, with proper insulation, lighting and flooring.
Legal basement apartments
Second units built to the Ontario Building Code and your city's zoning, ready for a tenant or family.
In-law & nanny suites
Private space for parents, grown kids or a caregiver, with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette.
Basement bathrooms
Full bathrooms and powder rooms, including the drain work below the slab.
Kitchens & kitchenettes
Full kitchens for a second unit, or a wet bar and kitchenette for a rec room.
Separate entrances
Side and rear walk-ups that give a basement unit its own door, with the permit and drainage done right.
Legal second units
What Makes a Basement Apartment Legal
Ontario allows up to three units on most residential lots with municipal water and sewer, and Toronto allows up to four. A basement unit is only legal with a building permit and these Building Code basics in place:
- Ceiling height: about 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) of clear height in the unit, and 1.85 m under beams and ducts
- A way out: an egress window large enough to climb through, or a door straight to the outside
- Fire separation between the units, including around the furnace room and shared spaces
- Alarms: smoke alarms interconnected through the whole house, plus carbon monoxide alarms
- Sound separation so both households can live quietly
- Zoning: rules for entrances, parking and unit size, which vary by city
How it starts
In-Person Consultation
$199
Credited in full toward your project. We measure your basement, check ceiling heights, windows and moisture, and give you a measured floor plan report, so you know what's possible before you design.
Transparent pricing
What a Basement Renovation Costs
Every basement is different. Here's where full-service projects start in Toronto and the GTA, before HST. Try our cost estimator →
Finished basements
From $55/sq ft
Framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, lighting and trim, done to code. Adding a full bathroom starts around $20K.
Legal basement apartments
From $120/sq ft
Includes the fire separation, egress and code work a legal unit needs. A new separate entrance usually adds $15K to $30K, with appliances extra.
What moves the price
- Plumbing below the slab: new bathrooms and kitchens mean cutting the concrete for drains.
- Moisture and waterproofing: fixing water issues first usually adds $3,000 to $10,000.
- Ceiling height: low basements may need ducts rerouted, or the floor lowered, to meet the code for a legal unit.
- Finishes: flooring, millwork and fixtures move the price as much as anywhere in the house.
Rebates
Basement Rebates Worth Knowing
If your basement has ever flooded, a backwater valve is worth adding while the floor is open. We install them as part of the job.
Toronto, North York & Etobicoke
The City of Toronto's Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy covers up to $1,600 toward a backwater valve, and up to $6,650 per property across eligible flood-protection work.
Mississauga
Peel Region's backwater valve rebate covers 60% of the cost, up to $1,500.
Reviews
GTA Homeowners Trust J Group
"J Group was phenomenal to work with from start to finish. AJ supported us through the entire process and each and every trade he brought in was equally great. Trustworthy, honest, diligent and quality workmanship."Melissa O.Home renovation
"Thanks to J Group's exceptional work, the renovations on my house in Thornhill exceeded my expectations… I wholeheartedly recommend J Group Renovations to anyone looking for a contractor who will go above and beyond."Danial Z.Thornhill · Home renovation
"I had the privilege of working with contractors J Group to renovate my house in Vaughan, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. AJ's professionalism and attention to detail is unmatched. Highly recommend."Ali B.Vaughan · Google review
How it works
How a Basement Renovation Works With Us
Consultation
$199 in-person visit, credited in full toward your project. We check ceiling heights, windows, mechanicals and moisture, and give you a measured floor plan report.
Design & quote
Layout, materials and finishes, then a clear quote and a realistic schedule before any work starts.
Permits
We prepare the drawings, apply for the building permit and book every inspection.
Build
A dedicated project manager, licensed trades, dust protection for the rest of the house and daily clean-up.
Walkthrough & warranty
We don't call it done until you do, and our written 2-year workmanship warranty backs the work.
Questions
Basement Renovation FAQ
Do I need a permit to finish my basement?
In most cases, yes. New walls with plumbing, electrical work, a bathroom, a bedroom or a second unit all need a building permit and inspections. We prepare the drawings and handle the permit.
What makes a basement apartment legal in Ontario?
A building permit, enough ceiling height, an egress window or a door to the outside, fire separation between the units, smoke alarms interconnected through the house, carbon monoxide alarms, sound separation, and your city's zoning rules for entrances and parking.
Is my basement ceiling high enough for a legal unit?
A legal unit needs about 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) of clear height, and 1.85 m under beams and ducts. We measure it at your consultation and tell you honestly whether it works as is, or what it would take.
How much does a basement renovation cost?
Full-service basement finishes start from about $55 per square foot and legal basement apartments from about $120 per square foot, before HST. A full bathroom starts around $20,000 and a new separate entrance usually adds $15,000 to $30,000. You get a clear quote after your consultation.
Can you add a separate entrance?
Yes. A side or rear walk-up gives a basement unit its own door. It needs a permit and careful drainage, and we handle both.
My basement gets damp. Can it still be finished?
Usually, yes, once the source of the water is fixed. We look for moisture at the consultation and include any waterproofing, drainage or backwater valve work in the plan, before anything is finished.
How long does a basement renovation take?
It depends on the size and scope. A legal apartment takes longer than a rec room, and permits add time before work starts. You get a realistic schedule with your quote, and your project manager keeps you updated as we go.
What does the $199 consultation include?
An in-person visit, an honest conversation about budget and feasibility, and a measured floor plan report of your space. The $199 is credited in full toward your project.
Request Your Basement Consultation
Tell us about your basement and what you'd like it to be. $199, credited in full toward your project. We respond within one business day.
Planning more than the basement? See whole-home renovations, or all the areas we serve.