When it comes to condo renovation rules, Toronto refined what was and wasn’t allowed after the construction boom in the 1980s that saw around 60,000 condominium units built. As a result, a number of rules and regulations were put in place to ensure the safety and quality of all condominiums.

With many condo owners in Toronto considering a refresh (thanks in part to the 2009 Federal Government tax credit for residential condo units), it is important to note the potential risks, legalities, and challenges to avoid unnecessary costs and stress.

The easiest way to do this? Let Renolux Design handle your condo renovation process. As the experts in condo renovation rules, Toronto turns to our team for flawless execution and excellent results. To get you started however, here are the top things to consider before you begin your condo renovation.

Understanding Your Condo Renovation

The best way to approach condo renovations is to ensure you understand precisely what you want and what will be required to achieve it. Keeping realistic expectations is the best way to avoid undue stress and be happy with the results. From here, you can ensure your plans comply with the rules while keeping condo boards happy.

Determine the types of renovations you want to undertake and confirm they are compliant with the documents, rules, and regulations specific to your condo. It is not uncommon for condo boards to have particular requirements when it comes to renovating, so you will likely need acquire permission before proceeding.

We cannot stress this enough:  ignoring the essential step of obtaining permission before renovating is a very bad idea and it will make things infinitely harder for you down the track. On top of this, failure to comply with your condo’s requirements can mean legal expenses or costs to re-renovate your changes to rectify any violations. The small time you may save initially is not worth the possible expenses down the road.

Forming a Basic Plan

To obtain permission, you will require at least a basic plan so the condo board can ensure your renovations are allowed to be authorized. In your plan, you should include:

  • Any proposed renovations within your individual unit (your property manager handles common elements including corridors, electricity, and plumbing)
  • Relocation of attached items (e.g., sink or shower)
  • A clear idea of what you hope to achieve
  • Any prior consultations with your property manager 

Including these elements in your plan should significantly increase your chances of success.

Should you DIY Your Renovation?

This is an important consideration as you have not only the quality and safety of your condo to consider but also the other residents in your community. Most condo communities have some form of restriction on when construction work is allowed to be completed, meaning loud renovation activities have to be completed between work hours on weekdays. This not only increases the costs of a do-it-yourself renovation as you’ll need to take time off, but it also negates the use of weekends.

For a condo renovation permit, Toronto residents are required to hire licensed contractors to perform the work. This can save you a significant amount of time and stress as you no longer will need to deal with regulations around correct disposal processes, the complexity of the work involved, and ensuring you comply with your community’s standards.

If the job is small enough, you may be able to perform it without disturbing your neighbors; however, if you want peace of mind in knowing that your renovations are of a quality you can trust, and all permits have been attained to avoid problems with code compliance, a professional team is the way to go.

How to Select the Right Condo Renovation Contractor

If you are undergoing comprehensive renovations and decide to hire a contractor, you’ll want to choose a condo renovation company that will work with your condo board and ensure an authorized renovation.

A high-quality condo renovation contractor will provide you with a detailed plan prior to any work. If they do, you’ll know they have experience in working with a condo corporation. They should also be able to give you information about any potential rules and regulations that will be applicable to your specific renovations and how best to comply with them.

Expected Time Frames for Condo Renovations

The average condo renovation should not differ in time to that of a single-family home; in fact, it will likely be quicker as there is a smaller surface area to cover and fewer internal systems. There may, however, be extra time required when it comes to the moving of materials and disposal of waste due to space restrictions.

This, too, will be eased by hiring professional contractors who are familiar with the cleanup process and know how to navigate parking restrictions and other considerations to provide you the most efficient renovation process.

Another time consideration is any condo renovation with plumbing requirements. Plumbing issues may require the superintendent to shut off the main water systems to allow for any plumbing work in the condo. This can affect other residents and will require an amount of lead time to advise others of any disruptions.

Get Help From Condo Renovation Specialist

Renolux Design has handled the successful implementation of many condo renovations, helping our clients from planning through to completion. We understand the rules and regulations applicable to condos and ensure that our projects are entirely compliant for the smoothest condo refresh possible.

We can also help with design and layout, so if you know that you need a little change, but are unsure of how best to execute and design it, we can help. Speak to our knowledgeable team today and enjoy the peace of mind and minimal stress that comes with a high-quality Renolux Design Condo Renovation.

We Can Help With Your Condo Renovation