Craftsman Renovations Ltd

09/24/2026

A Toronto backyard has more in it than the four months we usually ask of it. Once there's something built out there to walk toward, the yard becomes a place you can use year round.

This cedar sauna is a version of just that. Tight tongue and groove throughout, considered ventilation, layered benches, correct clearances and stove board under the heater, and a stainless chimney that runs straight through the roof.

The same thinking applies to a three season room off the kitchen, a studio at the back of the lot, or a covered porch with heat and proper lighting.

Outdoor structures are a category we build right through the fall, and the timing works in your favour. The ground stays workable into late November, trades have good availability this time of year, and the permit and setback review on a narrow east end lot fits comfortably into the schedule. A build that starts in October is finished and sealed before the cold settles in.

If there is a corner of your property you have been imagining something on, let's book a site visit and talk it through. Send us a message or visit craftsmanreno.com

09/23/2026

A good deck reads as part of the house rather than something attached to it. This one steps down to the yard in broad cedar treads, with built-in planters doing double duty as edging and as a privacy screen along the property line. The slatted panels give the seating area some separation from the neighbours while keeping it open to the sky.

Most of what makes a deck last is under the surface. Footings below the frost line, proper ledger flashing into the house, and joist spacing sized for the finish you actually want. Get those right and the decking becomes a choice you can make freely, and the structure holds for decades.

Fall is a sensible time to frame one. The ground is workable, lumber is easy to source this time of year, and you head into next season with the deck ready to use on the first warm weekend.

Send us a message or visit our website craftsmanreno.com

09/21/2026

Fixed-price, by definition, carries an undisclosed cushion built in to absorb price swings, and you pay for that cushion whether it gets used or not. We work differently.‍

Cost-plus means you pay the actual cost of materials and trades, plus our agreed builder fee, and you can see every receipt along the way. Open-book invoices, real-time budget tracking, and when a supplier price drops or a distributor discount comes through, that savings goes straight back to you.‍

It's the same approach we've used for years, and it's why a shifting trade environment doesn't change how we quote. Our latest blog post walks through exactly how it works.

craftmanreno.com/blog‍

09/17/2026

Most of our conversations right now start at a table like this one, plans spread out, coffee going cold, and a homeowner asking what tariffs mean for the project they've been saving toward. So we gathered the questions we hear most and answered them in one place.‍

What do the counter-tariffs actually apply to? Will my project cost more? Should I be avoiding U.S. products altogether? On that last one, our answer is no, not automatically. It's your home and your budget, and our job is to give you the real numbers so you can decide what's worth it.‍

The full FAQ is on the blog, and if your question isn't there, comment below and we'll add it to the list.‍

craftmanreno.com/blog‍

09/15/2026

Every few weeks, a delivery like this one pulls up to a job site in Toronto, and lately the question that comes with it is about tariffs. It's a fair thing to ask.‍

Canada's counter-tariffs apply to specific U.S.-origin goods, things like raw metals, select HVAC components, electrical equipment, and some specialty appliances. What they don't touch is the bulk of what goes into most renovations: local trades, Ontario-sourced materials, custom millwork, and domestic suppliers we've been working with for years. So when a tariff does apply, it applies to the import value of that one item, not to your project as a whole.‍

We've written up the full picture on the blog, including where costs actually land and how we plan around them.‍

craftmanreno.com/blog‍

09/13/2026

Taking advantage of this fantastic west-facing great room and opening up the main floor completely changed this Riverdale row house. The vertical volume lets light filter in from the backyard to the front, and the result is a bright, airy space reimagined without adding a single square foot.

Learn more about how we modernized this home in Riverdale on our website.

Our fall and winter calendar is open for new projects, reach out if you'd like to plan yours before the season fills up.

09/12/2026

The third floor of this Riverdale home used to be unused space above a balcony.

We extended the structure to build a primary suite from scratch, complete with a custom bed frame, bespoke millwork, and a dedicated dressing area. This is what building up instead of out can look like.Fall bookings are still open, get in touch if you're ready to start planning a project of your own.

09/10/2026

Set in the heart of Riverdale, this home was reimagined for the way our clients actually live.

Phase one opened up the main floor into one continuous space, anchored by a custom banquette built for slow mornings and busy weeknight dinners alike. Phase two extended the third floor over the existing balcony to build a new primary suite, with a dressing area, ensuite, and skylights overhead. Full project now live on our website at craftsmanreno.com/work.

We're currently booking fall and winter projects, if a renovation has been on your mind, now's a good time to start the conversation.

09/08/2026

Wondering how the new cross-border tariffs might affect your renovation? We break down what's actually impacted (hint: not as much as you'd think), how our cost-plus model keeps your budget fully visible either way, and how we help clients source smart local alternatives without sacrificing quality.

Full breakdown, including an FAQ, in the link below:

With ongoing news around Canada's counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, it's natural to wonder how changing trade policies might touch your upcoming home renovation. At Craftsman Renovations, we see this as an opportunity to lean further into what we already do: clear communication, careful planning, and f...

09/02/2026

Late summer is the ideal window to plan your next upgrade.

New windows and doors mean a tighter seal and less disruption while the work is underway, and pairing your siding project with an added layer of insulation keeps your home comfortable through every season ahead.

We break down what to consider for each of these projects in our latest blog post at craftsmanreno.com/blog.