Toronto Laneway Homes — TORONTO HOME BUILDING AND RENOVATION BLOG — BVM Contracting

Toronto Laneway Homes

Summary of Toronto's Pre-approved ADU Designs

Summary of Toronto's Pre-approved ADU Designs

Learn more about the pre-approved ADU designs that Toronto has, what they solve for, and what the key considerations are before deciding if they are right for your property!

Value Versus Lowest Cost in Residential Construction

Value Versus Lowest Cost in Residential Construction

In our experience, over ninety percent of homeowners who get construction pricing after securing permits either abandon their project or chase the lowest bidder. We see this pattern a lot. Beautiful architectural plans meet construction reality. The gap between expectation and cost becomes a chasm. The problem isn't the homeowner's budget. It's the process.

What Happened to The Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program?

What Happened to The Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program?

Learn about the failure of the Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program, which was planning to offer up to $80,000 in low-interest loans to homeowners to build secondary suites and increase density but was unfortunately held up by politics and likely not to happen.

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!

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.

Understanding the Stratification Process For Residential Properties in Toronto

Understanding the Stratification Process For Residential Properties in Toronto

Learn more about the process of stratification in Toronto and why it is usually reserved for large multi-unit development projects. We go over a case study of a project that completed a stratification of a residentially-zoned low-rise project in East York.

Garden Suite Cost Calculator

Garden Suite Cost Calculator

Looking to understand how much your garden suite or laneway suite will cost you? Try out our cost calculator today to get more clarity into what to expect for your garden suite construction project in Toronto.

Understanding Ontario Regulation 462/24: Additional Residential Units in Toronto

Understanding Ontario Regulation 462/24: Additional Residential Units in Toronto

Discover how Ontario Regulation 462/24 simplifies building Garden Suites and Laneway Suites in Toronto. Learn about reduced setbacks, removed angular planes, and how BVM Contracting can help with your project.

Overcoming Fire Hydrant Constraints for ADU's in Toronto

Overcoming Fire Hydrant Constraints for ADU's in Toronto

Toronto's urban landscape is evolving. Garden suites and laneway suites offer a promising solution to housing challenges, but a hidden obstacle often stands in the way: fire hydrants! In this article we discuss the solutions to overcome your property’s proximity to a fire hydrant, including one that one of our pre-construction client used!

Unexpected Home Building Costs in Toronto

Unexpected Home Building Costs in Toronto

There are so many variables and costs when it comes to building or renovating a home in Toronto, but here is a list of a few that are commonly unaccounted for that...

How to Navigate Toronto's Interactive Zoning Map

How to Navigate Toronto's Interactive Zoning Map

Learn how to use the Toronto Zoning By-law Map and discover how BVM Contracting’s free zoning analysis can help you unlock your property’s development potential.

Attached Secondary Suites Versus a Garden or Laneway Suite

Attached Secondary Suites Versus a Garden or Laneway Suite

Discover when a secondary suite via rear extension or addition is better than building a garden or laneway suite in Toronto. Learn about zoning, fire code, and cost considerations.

Discover Canada's New Housing Design Catalog

Discover Canada's New Housing Design Catalog

Explore and learn more about the Government of Canada's new catalogue which includes 50 pre-approved designs for garden suites, laneway suites, new homes, and multi-unit buildings. Save time, cut costs, and streamline your building project. Learn more with BVM Contracting!

Step-by-Step Planning Guide For Home Building Projects in Toronto

Step-by-Step Planning Guide For Home Building Projects in Toronto

Embarking on the journey to build your dream home is an exciting but sometimes daunting process if you are unsure of how and where to start. As Toronto’s leader in quality home renovations and home building, we've taken the time to outline a step-by-step guide to help you feel prepared to navigate this journey smoothly.

Home Building Readiness Assessment

Home Building Readiness Assessment

Think you are ready to complete a home build? Take our assessment to see if you are correct!

Toronto Laneway Suites

Toronto Laneway Suites

What is a laneway suite? Where can you build a laneway suite in Toronto? Is my property eligible to build a laneway suite? What incentives are there to build a laneway suite? How do you build a laneway suite? And what is the approximate cost to build a laneway suite? BVM Contracting is here to answer all of these questions and more!

Building a Laneway Suite in Scarborough or East End of Toronto

Building a Laneway Suite in Scarborough or East End of Toronto

In this article we want to highlight the small opportunity present in Scarborough due to the Laneway Suite program in Toronto being extended into Scarborough (as well as North York and Etobicoke).