Renovating in Windsor-Essex is different from renovating in Toronto, and not just on price. A good chunk of the housing stock in Walkerville, Sandwich Town, Ford City and the core was built between the 1910s and the 1950s: balloon framing, plaster and lath, knob-and-tube or early cloth-wrapped wiring, cast-iron drains and basements that were never meant to be living space. Open one wall and you often find three generations of repairs. A general contractor who works here every week knows what is behind those walls before the drywall comes down, and prices the job accordingly instead of surprising you with change orders.
The post-war bungalows and side-splits in South Windsor, Forest Glade, Fontainebleau and Roseland are a different animal. They are structurally simple and renovate well, which is why basement finishing, kitchen opening-ups and main-floor bathroom additions are the most common jobs in those neighbourhoods. The catch is the ground: Essex County sits on heavy clay with a high water table, so any basement project has to start with the question of whether the foundation and sump are actually dry. A contractor who finishes a basement without checking that is setting you up for a flood claim.
Then there is the paperwork. The City of Windsor and the county municipalities require building permits for structural changes, additions, new plumbing fixtures, finished basements and most bathroom and kitchen work that moves walls or services. Electrical work has to be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor registered with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), and any gas line changes need a TSSA-licensed gas fitter. Your contractor should also carry WSIB coverage and liability insurance, and be willing to show you both. We check for all of this before a contractor joins our network.
Use the form on this page to describe your project. You will hear from one or two matched contractors who actually do that kind of work in your part of Windsor-Essex. There is no fee and no obligation to hire anyone.
Common renovations jobs we arrange
- ▸Kitchen renovations and layout changes
- ▸Bathroom renovations and ensuite additions
- ▸Basement finishing and legal secondary suites
- ▸Home additions and second-storey additions
- ▸Open-concept wall removal with engineered beams
- ▸Window and exterior door replacement
- ▸Flooring (hardwood, LVP, tile) throughout
- ▸Drywall, plaster repair and painting
- ▸Decks, porches and covered patios
- ▸Garage construction and conversions
- ▸Accessibility renovations (walk-in showers, ramps, wider doors)
- ▸Fire, water and insurance restoration rebuilds
- ▸Whole-home remodels of century homes
Typical costs (2026)
Ballpark ranges from recent local jobs. Your quote depends on the scope, materials and access. Get an exact number with a free quote.
| Job | Typical range | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom renovation (full gut, same layout, 5x8 ft) | $15,000 – $32,000 | Tile selection, custom glass, moving plumbing and fixing hidden rot drive the top end. |
| Kitchen renovation (mid-range, new cabinets, counters, flooring) | $35,000 – $70,000 | Custom cabinetry, quartz or stone counters, and wall removal push toward the high end. Budget IKEA-style kitchens can land under $30,000. |
| Basement finishing (800-1,000 sq ft, rec room + bathroom) | $45,000 – $90,000 | Egress windows, a legal suite with separate entrance, and waterproofing add significantly. |
| Legal basement secondary suite (kitchen, bath, egress, fire separation) | $80,000 – $150,000 | Permit, fire-rated assemblies, separate electrical and often a new sump and backwater valve. |
| Main-floor addition (per sq ft, finished) | $350 – $550 | Foundation type, roof tie-in and whether kitchen or bath is included matter most. |
| Load-bearing wall removal with engineered beam | $6,000 – $18,000 | Needs an engineer stamp and a permit. Longer spans and point loads to the basement cost more. |
| Window replacement (per window, vinyl, installed) | $900 – $2,200 | Brick-to-brick replacements in older homes cost more than retrofit inserts. |
| Pressure-treated deck (12x16 ft, with railings) | $9,000 – $20,000 | Composite decking, raised height and permit requirements add cost. |
Why hire a local pro
- ✔Knows the century-home quirks in Walkerville, Sandwich Town and Ford City: plaster walls, undersized joists, old wiring and drains that need upgrading when a wall opens.
- ✔Understands clay soil and the high water table, so basement projects start with waterproofing, sump and backwater-valve checks instead of ending with a flood.
- ✔Deals with the City of Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh and Lakeshore building departments regularly and knows what each wants on a permit drawing.
- ✔Has a bench of local trades (ESA-licensed electricians, TSSA gas fitters, licensed plumbers) who can be scheduled in weeks, not months.
- ✔Prices to the Windsor-Essex market, which still runs noticeably below the GTA for labour and most finishes.
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Renovations FAQs
Do I need a building permit for my renovation in Windsor?
Usually, yes. The City of Windsor requires a permit for structural changes, additions, decks over 24 inches high, new or relocated plumbing fixtures, finished basements and secondary suites. Cosmetic work (paint, flooring, swapping cabinets in the same spot) generally does not. LaSalle, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Leamington and Essex each have their own building departments with similar rules. Your contractor should pull the permit in their name, not yours.
How much should I pay as a deposit?
A deposit of 10 to 15 percent to lock in a start date and cover design or ordering costs is normal. Be cautious of anyone asking for 50 percent or more up front, or who wants cash only. Payments should be tied to milestones (demolition complete, rough-ins passed inspection, drywall, final) and the last payment should be held until you have walked the job and the permit is closed.
Is my old house going to have asbestos or knob-and-tube?
If it was built before about 1980, possibly both. Asbestos shows up in plaster, drywall compound, vinyl floor tile, duct wrap and vermiculite insulation in homes from roughly 1920 to 1980. Knob-and-tube wiring is common in Walkerville, Sandwich Town and Ford City homes from the 1910s to 1940s. A good contractor will test suspect materials before demolition and bring in an ESA-licensed electrician to replace old wiring that gets exposed.
How long does a typical kitchen or bathroom renovation take?
A full bathroom usually takes 2 to 4 weeks on site once materials are in hand. A kitchen is 4 to 8 weeks, with cabinet lead times of 4 to 12 weeks before that. Basements run 6 to 12 weeks. Add time if permits need engineer drawings or if the municipality is busy in spring and summer.
What insurance should a renovation contractor carry?
Two things at minimum: commercial general liability insurance (usually $2 million) and WSIB coverage for their workers. Ask for a WSIB clearance certificate and an insurance certificate before signing. If a worker is hurt on your property and the contractor is not covered, you can be exposed. We verify both before a contractor joins our network.
Can I live in the house during the renovation?
For bathrooms and basements, almost always. For kitchens, most families stay but set up a temporary kitchen in the dining room with a microwave, kettle and a utility sink in the laundry room. Additions and whole-home remodels of century homes often require moving out for part of the project because of dust, utility shutoffs and open walls.
Are there rebates for renovations in Ontario?
Not for cosmetic work, but energy upgrades done as part of a renovation can qualify. The Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program offers rebates on insulation, air sealing, windows and heat pumps, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan provides interest-free financing for eligible retrofits. Programs change frequently and have pre-approval steps, so verify the current rules before you start.
Does the Ontario new-home warranty (Tarion/HCRA) cover my renovation?
No. Tarion warranties and HCRA licensing apply to newly built homes sold by a licensed builder. Renovations are covered only by your written contract and the contractor’s own warranty, which is why a clear contract with a stated workmanship warranty (one to two years is typical) matters.
General Contractors & Renovation Companies by area
Renovations guides
- Kitchen Renovation Cost in Windsor (2026): Budget, Mid-Range and High-End Breakdown
What a kitchen renovation costs in Windsor-Essex in 2026 by tier, where the money goes, when you need a City of Windsor permit, and how to avoid overruns.