Renovating Toronto homes since 1997
Kitchens, bathrooms and basements across Toronto. Owner-led by Harvey Minuk, a City of Toronto licensed renovation contractor and certified Passive House Tradesperson. The person who quotes your job is the person on your job.
Get a free consultation or call (416) 489-4083
Est. 1997 · 100+ Toronto homes · City of Toronto licensed · Passive House Tradesperson · 1-year workmanship warranty · 5.0 on Google, 14 reviews
A home renovation contractor who is actually on your job
Most people call us when the house they love stops working for them. A kitchen from 1987. A basement nobody goes into. One bathroom for four people. We rebuild those spaces so they work for the next 25 years.
First Place Homes has been a Toronto home renovation company since 1997 and it still runs like a crew. Harvey quotes the job, Harvey runs the job and Harvey checks it before it closes. More than 100 Toronto homes in 29 years, on the same phone number the whole time.
What we renovate
Kitchen renovation
From a straight makeover to moving walls and setting beams. You see 3D renderings before you commit to finishes and a written number before anyone starts. Kitchen renovation in Toronto
Bathroom renovation
Full guts, tub-to-shower conversions and ensuites carved out of old floor plans. Waterproofing is the one line we never trim, because water finds every shortcut. Bathroom renovation in Toronto
Basement renovation
Finishing, underpinning, walkouts and legal basement apartments. The most valuable unused space in Toronto is under the house. Basement renovation in Toronto
We also handle home additions, condo and townhome renovations and full home renovations.
How we work
- Free consultation. By phone, video or at the house. We talk about how you actually live in it.
- Design and budget, 2 to 4 weeks. Floor plans, 3D renderings for kitchens and bathrooms and a realistic number before anyone swings a hammer.
- The build, 4 weeks to 4 months. One crew, all labour and materials supplied, permits coordinated and the site kept tidy.
- The final check. Harvey walks the job before it closes. A 1-year workmanship warranty stands behind it and manufacturer warranties are passed to you.
Recent work
High Park: three storey addition and basement apartment
North York: bungalow raised to two storeys
Etobicoke: kitchen and main floor opened up
Toronto: condominium townhome, full rebuild
How we price a job
No two century homes cost the same to renovate, so we do not hand out a rate card. Harvey walks the house and you get a written number that itemizes labour, materials and permits before anyone starts. If we open a wall and find something behind it, you see the problem before you see the bill.
Ask every contractor you are considering for the same thing. A quote that fits on one page is a quote with room to grow.
Why building science matters in a Toronto house
Harvey is a certified Passive House Tradesperson. That is training in insulation, air sealing and ventilation and most general contractors in Toronto have not done it. In a 1920s semi it shows up as a room that holds its heat in February, a house that is quieter year round and a gas bill that stops climbing. We measure that part of the work instead of guessing at it.
Where we work
Toronto: the Beaches, Riverdale, the Danforth, Bloor West Village, High Park, East York and the neighbourhoods around them. We also work in Etobicoke and Scarborough.
What clients say
"Harvey and his team at First Place did some amazing job. They were professional, on-budget, and most importantly on time!" Tama S.
"First Place turned the house we had been living in for 20 years into our dream home!" Jennifer Z. & Russell L.
"Through the years, I have used Harvey and the First Place team for my house, townhouse, and condo renovations." Alstair R., interior designer
Common questions
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. City of Toronto licensed renovator, fully insured and a certified Passive House Tradesperson. The licence number is on every quote we sign.
How much does a home renovation cost in Toronto?
It depends on the room, the age of the house and how much structure is involved. We price every job from a walkthrough rather than a rate card, because a kitchen in a 1920s semi and the same kitchen in a 1980s side-split are not the same job. Book a free consultation and you will get a real number in writing.
Do you handle permits?
Yes. Drawings, engineering coordination and the permit process, whenever structure, plumbing stacks or a legal apartment is involved.
Can we live in the house while you work?
Usually yes. We hoard off the work area and keep the dust contained and we can set up a temporary kitchen. If your project is one of the few where moving out for a stretch is worth it, we will say so.
Do you take small jobs?
Our projects usually start in the tens of thousands. For a powder room refresh or a handyman list we are not the cheapest way to get it done and we will tell you that on the call.
Tell us what you are thinking about
Harvey reads every request and replies personally, usually within one business day. No pressure and no obligation, just an honest read on your project.