Home renovation in Scarborough is mostly about updating housing stock from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Bungalows, side-splits and back-splits dominate, with smaller pockets of newer townhomes and condos. Galley kitchens, dated bathrooms with pink or yellow tile, and unfinished basements are the three most common starting points for projects we take on here.
Scarborough Neighbourhoods We Cover
- Agincourt: Mix of detached and semis from the 1960s and 1970s. Common projects include kitchen renos that open the galley to the dining room, and basement finishing for second living spaces.
- Birch Cliff: Older 1940s and 1950s bungalows near Kingston Road. Many homes need full electrical and plumbing updates as part of a renovation.
- Scarborough Village: Mid-century detached homes. Bathroom updates and kitchen refreshes are routine.
- Cliffside and the Bluffs: Older homes with character but ageing systems. Whole-home renovations are popular here.
- Wexford-Maryvale and Tam O'Shanter: Post-war housing. Basement secondary suite conversions are common as families look to add rental income.
Common Scarborough Renovation Projects
- Galley kitchen conversions: The wall between the galley kitchen and the dining room comes down. The new layout adds a peninsula or island for prep and seating. Kitchen renovation Toronto.
- Dated bathroom updates: Pink, yellow or peach 1950s tile gets replaced with neutral porcelain. Original cast iron tubs sometimes stay if in good condition. New vanity, fixtures, paint, and floor tile.
- Basement finishing: Many Scarborough basements are unfinished concrete. We add insulation, drywall, flooring, a 3-piece bathroom and bedrooms. Basement renovation Toronto.
- Bungalow second-storey additions: Adding a full second floor to a Scarborough bungalow doubles usable square footage. Second floor addition Toronto.
Older Home Considerations
- Knob and tube and aluminum wiring is common in pre-1965 Scarborough homes
- 60 amp electrical service often needs an upgrade to 100 or 200 amp
- Cast iron drain stacks may have rust scaling and need replacement when a bathroom comes apart
- Asbestos in old vinyl flooring or duct insulation is occasionally found
- Low basement ceilings in some 1950s homes; underpinning or bench footing may be required for habitable space
What a Scarborough Client Recently Said
"Our 1960s bathroom in Scarborough was long overdue for an update. New vanity, tile work, and fixtures. They worked around our schedule and the result looks amazing." - Priya R., Scarborough