Do I need a permit to rebuild my front porch?

Often, yes. It depends on the height, size and whether it is covered. We check with your municipality before work starts.

Can the front door opening be made wider?

Yes. Widening the opening for a larger door or sidelights means a new lintel and is done under a permit.

Do you do front entrance and porch projects in Toronto?

Yes. We work throughout Toronto, including Leaside, The Annex, High Park, Riverdale, The Beaches, Forest Hill and Lawrence Park. Call +1 (647) 718-3913 to arrange a visit.

Who issues the permit for this work in Toronto?

Where a permit is needed, it is issued by the City of Toronto (Toronto Building). We prepare the drawings and handle the application and inspections.

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Front Entrance and Porch

Exterior · Toronto

Front Entrance and Porch in Toronto

The front entrance sets the tone for the whole house. A new door, a rebuilt porch, solid steps and good lighting are a small project with a large effect. In Toronto, much of the housing is pre-war: narrow semis and detached brick houses with plaster walls, old wiring and shared party walls.

Call (647) 718-3913 Book a consultation

New black front door with sidelights, a lit porch ceiling and stone steps at night — From our Cobblestone Drive renovation

Scope

What is included.

New entry doors with sidelights and transoms
Rebuilding porches, steps and landings
Canopies and covered entrances
Stone, concrete and masonry finishes
Railings and guards to Building Code
Porch and pathway lighting

Cost

What it costs.

By quote

The cost of front entrance and porch depends on the size and condition of the house and the finishes chosen, so we price it after a site visit. Call +1 (647) 718-3913 for a quote.

Local knowledge

Front Entrance and Porch in Toronto.

Homes like these
Older brick needs careful repointing with compatible mortar, and original windows and porches are often worth restoring or replicating.
Housing
In Toronto, much of the housing is pre-war: narrow semis and detached brick houses with plaster walls, old wiring and shared party walls.
Permits
Building permits in Toronto are issued by the City of Toronto (Toronto Building). We prepare the drawings, submit the application and book the inspections.
Areas we cover
We work throughout Toronto, including Leaside, The Annex, High Park, Riverdale, The Beaches, Forest Hill and Lawrence Park.
Suites and multiplexes
Toronto permits laneway suites, garden suites and, on most residential lots, up to four units in a house. That makes basement apartments and rear additions more feasible here than in many suburbs.
Tight lots
Narrow lots and shared walls mean additions and underpinning often need a minor variance or a neighbour's cooperation, so the approvals take planning.

Before you start

What to know.

Permits
Many porches, decks and exterior stairs need a building permit, depending on their height above the ground, their size and whether they have a roof. We confirm for your municipality.
Foundations
Porches and steps that heave or pull away from the house usually have inadequate footings. Rebuilding them on proper frost-depth footings fixes it.
Front yard rules
Zoning limits how far a porch or canopy can project toward the street.

How we work

One team for every stage.

AssessWe survey the house as it stands.
Design and permitsDrawings and approvals before work starts.
Strip-outWhat is worn out comes off.
RebuildStructure, wiring, plumbing and walls.
FinishesCabinetry, tile, floors and paint.
HandoverWalkthrough and documents.

Questions

Front Entrance and Porch in Toronto: the short answers.

How much does front entrance and porch cost in Toronto?: The cost of front entrance and porch depends on the size and condition of the house and the finishes chosen, so we price it after a site visit. Call +1 (647) 718-3913 for a quote.
Do I need a permit to rebuild my front porch?: Often, yes. It depends on the height, size and whether it is covered. We check with your municipality before work starts.
Can the front door opening be made wider?: Yes. Widening the opening for a larger door or sidelights means a new lintel and is done under a permit.
Do you do front entrance and porch projects in Toronto?: Yes. We work throughout Toronto, including Leaside, The Annex, High Park, Riverdale, The Beaches, Forest Hill and Lawrence Park. Call +1 (647) 718-3913 to arrange a visit.
Who issues the permit for this work in Toronto?: Where a permit is needed, it is issued by the City of Toronto (Toronto Building). We prepare the drawings and handle the application and inspections.