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Costs, permits and planning Renovation guides for Durham homeowners.
Straight answers on costs, permits and legal suites, written by the team that builds them in Durham Region every week.
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- Permits by townWith links to each source
- Updated 2026Checked October 2026
- Free estimateWhen you want your own number
All guides
Renovation cost and permit guides, before you build.
Start with the cost guide for your project, then check the permit rules for your town.
Renovation cost guide
Every project type in one place: price ranges, timelines and how to budget.
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Kitchen renovation cost
Price ranges, where the money goes, and how to save without cutting corners.
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Bathroom renovation cost
Full bathrooms, ensuites and showers, with the costs that matter most.
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Basement renovation cost
Rec rooms to legal suites, with real ranges and timelines.
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Deck cost
Materials, cost drivers and the permit rules by town.
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Building permits in Durham
Decks, basements, bathrooms and suites, town by town.
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Legal basement apartments
Unit limits, permits and registration in each Durham town.
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Fence cost
Fence materials, cost drivers and what to check before you build.
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Comparing renovation quotes
What a good estimate includes, what to ask and the red flags.
Read the guideDesign ideas and how-tos
Renovation advice, room by room.
Planning, design and trends for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks, fences, whole homes and commercial spaces.
How to plan a kitchen layout that actually works
Before you pick a single finish, get the layout right. Here is how we think about zones, aisles and storage.
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Choosing cabinets, counters and backsplash that work together
A simple approach to mixing finishes so the kitchen looks intentional, not busy.
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Kitchen trends we are watching for 2027
Warmer materials, quieter appliances and smarter storage. Here is where kitchen design seems to be heading.
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How to save money on a bathroom renovation without cutting corners
Six practical ways to keep the budget in check while still getting a bathroom built properly.
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How to design a walk-in shower you will love
Glass, niches, benches, tile and drains. The details that make a shower feel custom and work every day.
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Bathroom trends we are watching for 2027
Spa-like calm, warmer finishes and smarter details are shaping the bathrooms homeowners ask for.
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How to plan a legal basement apartment in Ontario
What makes a basement unit legal, and how to plan the project so it passes inspection the first time.
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Making a basement feel bright, open and comfortable
Lighting, colour, ceilings and layout tricks that turn a low-ceilinged basement into a place you want to be.
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Basement trends we are watching for 2027
Income suites, multigenerational living and flexible rooms are shaping how homeowners use their lower level.
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How to choose the right decking material
Pressure-treated, cedar or composite? A plain-language comparison of look, upkeep and cost.
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Designing a deck around how you will actually use it
Zones, stairs, railings, shade and lighting. Planning the details that make a deck feel effortless.
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Deck trends we are watching for 2027
Low-maintenance materials, integrated lighting and outdoor rooms continue to shape backyard design.
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Before you build a fence: property lines, permits and utility locates
Three things to sort out before the first post goes in the ground.
Read the articleChoosing a fence style: privacy, board-on-board or horizontal slat
How height, spacing and orientation change the look, the privacy and the cost of your fence.
Read the articleFence trends we are watching for 2027
Modern slat styles, black hardware and low-maintenance finishes are influencing fence design.
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How to phase a whole-home renovation
Spreading a big project across time without wasting money or living in a construction zone.
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Keeping a whole-home design cohesive
How to make different rooms feel like one home, using a small set of repeating materials and colours.
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Whole-home renovation trends we are watching for 2027
Flexible rooms, energy efficiency and wellness-focused design are influencing full-home projects.
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How to plan a commercial renovation without closing your doors
Phasing, scheduling and communication tips that keep a business running during construction.
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Designing a welcoming retail or office space
Lighting, layout and materials that support your brand and make people want to stay.
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Commercial interior trends we are watching for 2027
Warmer, more residential-feeling interiors and flexible layouts are influencing workplaces, shops and restaurants.
Read the articleFree estimate and design
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