Basement Renovations
A family room, guest room, office or gym. Plan the scope, the order of work and the questions to ask.
Plan a renovation
Oshawa basement renovations
Basement Renovation in Oshawa
Planning a basement renovation or a second unit in Oshawa? See what the City’s Two Unit House Registration By-law requires, then connect with qualified local professionals.
Reno Rise is an independent enquiry and matching service, not a contractor.
- Ceiling height and clearances
- Egress window and window well
- Separate entrance and stairwell
- Fire separation between units
- Waterproofing and drainage
How Reno Rise Works
Reno Rise helps Toronto homeowners plan basement renovations and legal secondary suites and connect with independent local renovation professionals.
Tell us about the project
Share your goals, your basement and your timeline using the enquiry form.
Reno Rise reviews the information
We look at what you have shared to understand the scope and what still needs to be confirmed.
We find the right contractor
Reno Rise matches your project with the contractor best suited to the work, and they take it from there.
Basement services in Oshawa
What Would You Like to Do With Your Basement?
Start with the goal. Each guide explains what the project involves, what to ask, and what to confirm before you hire.
Legal Secondary Suites
What makes a basement apartment legal, how it differs from a finished basement, and what to confirm with your municipality.
Read the suite guideBasement Underpinning
Lowering a floor to gain ceiling height is structural work. Learn when it comes up and how it is approached.
Explore underpinningWaterproofing & Moisture Control
Diagnose the cause of damp or leaks before finishing. Interior, exterior and drainage options explained.
Explore waterproofingEgress Windows & Separate Entrances
Safe exits, natural light and a private entrance are central to a suite. See what is involved.
Explore egress windowsPermit & Design Planning
Which basement work needs a permit, and how drawings, engineers and inspections fit in.
Explore permits & design
Oshawa, Durham Region
Oshawa Two Unit House Registration
Every two-unit house in Oshawa must be registered, and the process depends on when the second unit was created. Here is what the City publishes.
- Under Oshawa’s Two Unit House Registration By-law, every two-unit house must be registered, and failing to register is an offence under the by-law.
- Units created before July 1994 register with an application and a declaration form once they meet property standards, Building Code and Fire Code requirements.
- Units created after July 1994 need a building permit before the second unit is created.
Source: City of Oshawa, reviewed September 2026. Requirements change, so confirm current terms before you apply.
Oshawa sets its own zoning, registration and permit rules, and they are not the same as Toronto’s. Confirm your exact project with Oshawa’s building department before you start; a designer or contractor experienced in Durham Region can also help you read the requirements.
Planning guides
All planning guides
Cost, Permit & Planning Guides
Basement Renovation Permits in Toronto
What Toronto Building says needs a permit, and what usually does not. The general principles carry over to other GTA municipalities, though the rules themselves are set locally.
Read the guideBasement Renovation Cost in Toronto
What moves the price, how to compare quotes, and what to ask before you sign.
Read the guideUnderpinning: When It Is Needed
Ceiling height, structure and cost drivers explained in plain language.
Read the guide
Why Reno Rise
Why Oshawa Homeowners Use Reno Rise
Planning a basement project involves a lot of unknowns. Reno Rise helps you understand the project first, then matches you with the right contractor.
Plan before you commit
Guides on permits, costs, underpinning and legal secondary suites explain what a project involves before you speak to anyone.
Describe your project once
Share your goals, basement and timeline in one enquiry. Reno Rise matches your project with the contractor best suited to the work.
We do the choosing
Reno Rise reviews your project and selects the contractor best suited to it, so you do not have to search on your own.
A clear line of responsibility
Reno Rise is not a contractor. Estimates, contracts, warranties and permit responsibilities belong to the contractor doing the work, so confirm them before you sign.
Serving Oshawa and the GTA
Reno Rise is based in Toronto and welcomes enquiries from Oshawa and across the Greater Toronto Area. Requirements are set locally, so confirm them with Oshawa’s building department.
Honest about limits
Reno Rise cannot say whether a specific basement in Oshawa is legal or eligible for a permit. It points you to the professionals and the municipal department responsible for that decision.
Customer comments
What Past Customers Have Said
“Saved my a$!. Butt lot outstanding service, affordable, and not to mention very quick to get ‘er done!!! They offer all sorts of services, mine was plumbing and they truly saved the day. My heroes. 10/10 would recommend.”
“Amazing work and an outstanding crew. Very professional, energetic, and a pleasure to work with from start to finish. They communicate openly throughout the entire project, show up reliably, and get the job done right.”
“We needed underpinning done before finishing the basement and most contractors wouldn’t even quote it properly. Reno Rise walked us through the whole process.”
“Got a quote within a day and the crew showed up when they said they would, every single time. Our kitchen went from 1998 to something we actually want to cook in.”
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reno Rise a contractor?
No. Reno Rise is an independent project-enquiry and contractor-matching service. It does not perform construction, inspections or permit applications. Estimates, contracts, warranties and the work itself come from the independent contractor Reno Rise matches you with.
How does Reno Rise choose the contractor?
Reno Rise reviews the details you send about your project, then matches it with the contractor best suited to the work. That contractor provides the estimate, the contract and the warranty for the job.
Do I need to register a basement apartment in Oshawa?
Yes. Oshawa’s Two Unit House Registration By-law requires every two-unit house to be registered, and the City says failing to register is an offence under the by-law. See Oshawa's two-unit house page.
Does the process differ for older basement apartments in Oshawa?
Yes. Units created before July 1994 register with an application and a declaration form once they meet property standards, Building Code and Fire Code requirements. Units created after July 1994 need a building permit before the second unit is created.
What is the difference between a finished basement and a legal secondary suite?
A finished basement is extra living space for your own household. A legal secondary suite is a separate, self-contained home that must meet zoning, Building Code and Fire Code requirements and is created with a building permit. The comparison guide explains the differences.
Project enquiry
Tell Us About Your Oshawa Basement Project
Tell us about your basement and your goals. Reno Rise reviews the details and matches your project with the contractor best suited to the work.
Planning a Basement Project in Oshawa?
Tell us about your basement. Reno Rise reviews your project details and connects you with an appropriate independent professional.