How to Find the Best General Contractors in Toronto

24 September 2024,

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Are you planning to renovate your home? You can hire a general contractor who will be responsible for presenting and executing the plans for your project within the agreed upon budget and timeline.

Other aspects of the work may be subcontracted but the general contractor will oversee all aspects of the project to ensure that timelines are met.

Finding a potential contractor is only the initial step as you need to verify several contractors before hiring one.

This is where Compare Home Quotes can be a big help to you! We have partner general contractors in our network serving Toronto. They will be most happy to provide you with an accurate quote so you can compare and choose the best one.

Find out more about hiring the best contractor in Toronto by reading this article. Fill out the form below to receive free and no-obligation quotes.

Types of projects that need a General Contractor

Are you wondering whether you need a General Contractor? When you have a home renovation in the works, a professional with experience in overseeing the construction from start to finish is a must.

General contractors are quite knowledgeable about bathroom additions, kitchen renovations, basement suite addition, and anything else you want to do with your house. He will support the construction and be responsible for making sure that things go according to plan.

Here are some of the most popular residential projects that general contractors work on.

New Home Construction
Home Addition
Interior Renovations
Home Remodeling
Legal Conversions of duplex or triplex
Basement Finishing

A general contractor will ensure that your project goes smoothly and within your budget. He is like the conductor of the “orchestra” who synchronizes all elements so that proper standards and timelines are met by all concerned.

Some general contracting companies offer complete design and build services.

Benefits of hiring a General Contractor

Are you planning a home renovation but still not sure if you should hire a general contractor?

Below you will find the advantages of working with a general contractor for a home renovation.

Reduced risk and liability: If you have a general contractor, issues regarding your construction are the general contractor’s problems. These problems are not yours to solve. These issues include accidents or injuries, disputes with subcontractors, damaged goods or delayed deliveries, among others. Contractors are required to have workers’ compensation insurance to compensate for injuries and insurance to cover any damage during construction.

Savings from lower prices: A general contractor can help you select the right materials for your project. Because contractors have volume discounts, you can benefit from lower prices. They also have good relationships with subcontractors who can offer you better prices on labour and materials.

Compliance with building standards: General contractors know the local building code very well. They will ensure your construction is up to code so that you don’t get fined for violations.

Faster completion: Every homeowner wants a renovation project to be completed as quickly as possible. A reputable general contractor will be as motivated as you to get the job done fast so he can move on to his next project. Without a general contractor, your project could take longer than necessary to get done.

Satisfactory results: A renovation done professionally will have more satisfactory results than any DIY project.

Your renovation can be hassle-free with the supervision of a general contractor. In addition, you won’t need to deal with construction problems and have peace of mind that your project will be successful in professional hands.

How much do the best general contractors in Toronto charge?

Are you curious to know about the cost of a general contractor in Toronto? This article will help you navigate the average rates charged by general contractors and how they get paid.

Most general contractors use these pricing models:

Hourly rate: When the project is small or the contract is for specified services like small repair works. The rates range from $100 to $150 per hour.

Percentage Based: For larger projects, many general contractors charge a percentage of the total cost of the project. This ranges from 10% to 25%, depending on the contractor.

Most general contractors charge percentage-based fees for major renovation projects such as basement renovations, interior renovations, and home additions.

Below are factors that affect the rates of contractors:

Complexity: More complex projects that need specialized skills and equipment may cost more than basic renovations.

Experience: The more experienced and established general contractors command higher rates.

The average hourly rate of contractors in Toronto ranges from CAD$120 to $160 per hour. Again, rates vary among contractors.

To know the actual cost of hiring a general contractor for your project, the best thing to do is to request FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes using our online request form.

Price Guide for Toronto General Contractors

The table below can help you calculate the cost of a home renovation and the fees of a general contractor.

Please keep in mind that these are only estimates and may vary based on the complexity, materials, and size of your construction.

Type of Home Renovation	Average Cost of the Project (Labour & Materials (in CAD)	General Contractor Fees (in CAD)
Full Bathroom Renovation	$20,000 – $30,000	$4,000 to $ 7,500
Kitchen Renovation (Medium-range)	$25,000 – $40,000	$5,000 – $8,000
Basement Renovation (Turnkey)	$25,000 – $40,000	$5,000 – $8,000
Single room addition	$25,000 – $50,000	$5,000 – $10,000
Multiple rooms addition	$60,000 – $100,000	$12,000 – $20,000
Home Remodeling (Medium-range)	$50,000 – $130,000	$10,000 – $26,000

*based on 20% percentage-based fees
* the figures above are not actual quotes and are for illustration purposes only.

While paying additional fees for a general contractor can increase your expenses initially, it could also save you money by avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring more value for your investment.

Types of Contracts from General Contractors

Now that you know the average hourly rates and percentage-based fees of contractors, you should also know the types of contracts offered by GCs.

The type of contract that suits you best will depend on the type of project, your tolerance for risks, and your budget.

Fixed Contract: A price is agreed upon that includes materials, labor, and other costs. This type of contract offers a level of certainty and peace of mind. However, additional costs can still be incurred for unforeseen changes.

Cost plus Contract: The homeowner will reimburse the contractor for all expenses including materials, labour, permits, etc. with a markup rate. The final cost of the project is harder to determine but it gives more flexibility for possible changes during the construction.

Time & Materials (T & M) contract: The homeowner will pay an hourly rate and the actual cost of the materials. This contract often applies to small projects.

Guaranteed Maximum Price: A maximum cost is established between the homeowner and the contractor with a buffer for contingencies. If the final cost falls below the agreed maximum cost, the homeowner gets to save money.

Standard Schedule of Fees of General Contractors

Typically, general contractors are paid in stages based on the progress of the construction. These stages are specified in the contract.

Below is the standard schedule of fees for general contractors:

Down-payment: 10% to 30% upfront to confirm the hiring of the contractor and secure the initial materials.

Progress-based fees: From 40% to 60% at specific milestones tied to project phases.

Final payment: The total outstanding balance ranging from 10% to 20% is paid after successful completion and satisfaction of the homeowner.

You should review and understand the payment schedule as indicated in the contract before you sign. You can usually expect to receive the request for payments:

After permits have been granted;
After completion of major phases of the construction;
After delivery of materials for certain stages of the construction;

How to Get Estimates from General Contractors

When requesting quotes from general contractors, make sure to give accurate and detailed information regarding the project’s scope such as:

Architectural drawings/plans;
Goals and desired results;
Materials and finishes preferred;
Budget

The best and fastest way to get estimates from general contractors is to fill out our short online form. Connect with the best general contractors in Toronto in just 2 minutes and save time and money.

How to choose a General Contractor

With so many general contractors in Toronto, how do you choose the right one for your project?

It is important to check the references of a general contractor before you hire him.

He must have a Toronto Trades License as a renovator or a construction sub-trade.
A contractor also needs a valid HST number
Up-to-date liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

It is also important to compare 2 or more quotes before you decide.

When choosing a general contractor, we recommend hiring a local company with an established record in the community.

Compare Home Quotes has partner general contractors in our network that serve your community’s construction and renovation needs. Fill out the form on this page to receive FREE quotes from general contractors so you can compare and save money.

Cooling-off Period and what it means

Under the Ontario Consumer Protection Act, contracts for goods and services signed in the home are covered by a 10-day cooling off period.

This period begins on the day you get a signed copy of the contract. You have 10 days from the date of the contract to cancel the transaction for any reason without fear of penalty.

Cost Estimates and Maximum Increases

If the contract has a written estimate, the final cost can’t exceed more than 10% of the estimate without your agreement.

Ensure that you receive an estimate with the contract so that you are protected by the 10% ceiling.

Compare the best General Contractors in Toronto

Our network includes highly-vetted general contractors who can make your dream home come true.

When you work with a general contractor from our network, you can feel confident in your home renovation because:

You will get high-quality work
You can compare up to 3 offers so you can choose wisely;
Take advantage of competitive pricing as general contractors compete for your project.

Finding the best general contractor in Toronto for your home renovation is a critical step to achieving success.

The search for a contractor on your own can take weeks or months. With our free online form, you save a lot of time as we can quickly steer you to reputable contractors near you.

Receive free offers at no cost when you fill out our short online form. Please include as many details as you can so you can get accurate and competitive quotes.

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