Home Renovation and Home Building Education — TORONTO HOME BUILDING AND RENOVATION BLOG — BVM Contracting

Home Renovation and Home Building Education

Custom Home Builders Versus General Contractors

Custom Home Builders Versus General Contractors

Is there a difference between a Custom Home Builder and a General Contractor in Toronto? The answer varies depending on who you ask, but we are here to give you the real answer. Learn more here!

A Guide to Home Building Versus Moving in Toronto

A Guide to Home Building Versus Moving in Toronto

A definitive guide on what your best option is between moving or building on your existing property in Toronto. We aim to provide a more technical set of concepts that every home owner should review before making their final decision.

Toronto's Renoviction Bylaw: What You Should Know

Toronto's Renoviction Bylaw: What You Should Know

Here is everything you need to know about Toronto’s new Renoviction By-law, which is now in effect across all of Toronto.

Here's Why Accessory Dwelling Units Cost So Much

Here's Why Accessory Dwelling Units Cost So Much

Have you ever wondered why accessory dwelling units like garden suites and laneway suites cost so much? Here’s why!

Toronto Has Removed Development Charges for Sixplexes

Toronto Has Removed Development Charges for Sixplexes

Learn more about Toronto’s recent decision to remove the development charges for residential developments up to 6 units.

Avoiding Committee of Adjustment in Toronto with Duplex Design

Avoiding Committee of Adjustment in Toronto with Duplex Design

With the relaxation of zoning bylaws in Toronto for multi-unit development, there is now a way to build a new home or home addition in Toronto without going to Committee of Adjustment, learn how here!

How to know if your Toronto home is a good candidate for a home addition

How to know if your Toronto home is a good candidate for a home addition

When you are planning to add additional levels to an existing home it is important to follow the right steps in order to prevent yourself from wasting money on a project that might be too costly for you to complete. Turning unknowns into knowns is an important step in making sure that there are as few items that pop up during your home addition project as possible. BVM Contracting has compiled a list of three very important items that you can complete for around $3000 that can give you absolute certainty that your existing home is well-suited for a second or third storey addition in Toronto.

The Perfect Home Build Doesn't Exist

The Perfect Home Build Doesn't Exist

The perfect home build doesn’t exist, but what does exist are home builders that work towards perfection with every project completed. Learn more about how we approach challenges with all of our home building projects and why builders who can rise above the challenges faced with every project are the ones you should be working with.

Here's Why Cost Per Square Foot Pricing is Dumb

Here's Why Cost Per Square Foot Pricing is Dumb

There is a better way to determine the cost of your renovation, home addition, or new home building project, and it doesn't involve a cost per square foot. Learn more about how we approach projects costs for our residential construction projects.

A Summary of Toronto's New Divisive Sixplex Plans

A Summary of Toronto's New Divisive Sixplex Plans

Toronto just split itself in half over increased housing density, and we are not surprised. Here is everything you need to know about the 6ixplex approvals in 9 wards across Toronto!

Looking For "Renovation-Gone-Wrong" Stories

Looking For "Renovation-Gone-Wrong" Stories

Most contractors run from industry horror stories. We're asking you to share yours. We are looking to create a comprehensive guide on how to properly evaluate General Contractors and Home Builders to avoid a poor experience.

Five Emerging Toronto Neighborhoods To Invest In

Five Emerging Toronto Neighborhoods To Invest In

REMAX just came out with 7 emerging neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area, and 5 of them happen to be on the East End of Toronto! Learn more about these neighbourhoods and why they are ripe for development and investment.

Here's Why Accessory Dwellings Units Beat Condos Every Time

Here's Why Accessory Dwellings Units Beat Condos Every Time

Forget buying a condo in Toronto. There is an alternative! Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) in the form of Garden Suites and Laneway Suites are way more economical and we give you some real facts to make you think twice before purchasing a condo.

How to Obtain a Survey for Your Residential Property in Toronto

How to Obtain a Survey for Your Residential Property in Toronto

BVM Contracting breaks down the various methods of obtaining a survey of your property in Toronto. When you do any major renovation work to your home/property you will need access to a survey of the property order for the City of Toronto to confirm that you are complying with zoning by-laws for your type of property.

Why You Should Get A Zoning Review For Your Proposed Project

Why You Should Get A Zoning Review For Your Proposed Project

Learn more about zoning reviews and where they come in during the process of obtaining a permit for your next residential construction project

Toronto Housing Roadmap Creates Unprecedented Property Opportunities

Toronto Housing Roadmap Creates Unprecedented Property Opportunities

Toronto is changing the rules of property development forever. The city's ambitious plan to create 285,000 new homes by 2031 isn't just another policy announcement. It's a complete reimagining of what's possible for property owners across the city.

The True Cost of Hiring the Wrong Renovation Contractor

The True Cost of Hiring the Wrong Renovation Contractor

We received an email from a past connection that received a budget from us for their substantial renovation project, but ended up going with a “cheaper” contractor. Towards the end of the projects, things went so bad (and they regretted the decision so much) that they were compelled to email us about it. Learn more about their story, and how you can avoid “renovation regret” with your own project.

Benefits of Adding a Second HVAC System to a Home Addition

Benefits of Adding a Second HVAC System to a Home Addition

Expanding your home with an addition is a costly, yet necessary endeavor for a lot of Toronto home owners who have growing families or space needs. However, one crucial consideration often overlooked is how a home addition will affect your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. While it may seem convenient to extend your existing HVAC ductwork to cover heating and cooling needs for the new space, adding a second and dedicated HVAC system for the addition can offer numerous benefits. In this article, we'll outline why adding a second HVAC system to your home addition project might become a huge benefit to your newly-constructed home in Toronto (and beyond).