How a pandemic-era multi-trade reno turned two first-time renovation clients into lifelong advocates — and what that says about how we work.
⚡ TLDR
Kasper and Claire came to BVM Contracting with a home in Toronto that needed everything done at once — rear extension, kitchen, electrical, HVAC, bathrooms, front door — during the height of COVID. We delivered a complete renovation and home extension experience, navigated a permit process that included a neighbour complaints and late-stage HVAC engineering requirements, and handed over a home Claire described as "absolutely beautiful." Three-plus years later, we're still their first call — and they've sent more than one client our way.
Home Addition & Renovation Project Information
Location: 19 Wrenson Road, Toronto, ON
Scope: Full multi-trade renovation and rear extension — rear extension, new custom kitchen & millwork, new flooring, new trim, new paint, full electrical upgrade, new HVAC system, new bathrooms (multiple floors), new front door, rear deck
Project Started: September 2020
Completed: January 2021
Project Value: Inquire Here
The Project That Started With Everything
Some renovations and home additions are targeted. One kitchen. One bathroom. A fresh coat of paint and call it done.
This wasn't that.
When Kasper and Claire first contacted us they didn’t yet have drawings, which is usually where we start our conversations. Our first conversation happened as a result of of a referral from a close friend of theirs who recently completed their renovation project, but not with us. Their friend regretted not going with us and turned into one of our biggest advocates through their poorly managed renovation experience.
They bought a property at 19 Wrenson Road, which was in their target neighbourhood within walking distance from the local school they wanted their kids going to and checked almost all of the boxes for them. They knew going into buying the home they would need more space for their growing family. With 2 kids and both Kasper and Claire working from home during COVID the space was going to get small really quickly.
They decided right from the start they were going to complete a rear extension, with an interior renovation to the existing main and second floors to add a powder room on the main floor and create a completely new primary bedroom complete with a new ensuite. This would turn a cramped 3 bedroom/1 bathroom home into a more functional 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom home.
They also had a time constraint, Christmas. They wanted to be moved in by then, which made the planning process that much more important to get right.
We've been doing this since 1997. Complex home additions and interior renovations is what we're built for. But we'll admit: 2020 was a year that tested everyone in construction. Supply chains were uncertain. Trades were stretched. Getting materials to site on time required planning well ahead of what pre-pandemic schedules ever demanded. We needed to plan ahead, and that is what we did.
Bottom line: Every major project is a coordination test. This one passed.
How Efficient Planning Got This Project Done In Time
Kasper reached out in July 2020 once they had the purchase and sale agreement signed for 19 Wrenson Road. They were referred to us by their close friend who they knew had recently completed his own renovation project.
They wanted to get his feedback about who to go with but his answer wasn’t the team he actually used. It was the team he should have went with, us. We gave their friend a scope of work that looked expensive on paper but was accurate to how much the project was going to actually cost. He decided to go with the lower estimate, and ended up spending more than what we originally estimated.
We gained a life-long referral by pricing things true to what the project actually costed!
Reaching out in June 2020 for a September 2020 start date was already a very tall task, but to start from scratch with no drawings was going to take very efficient planning to achieve.
We didn’t waste any time and used one of their site visits prior to occupancy to measure up the house with our architectural design team, which formed the basis of the design work. These design drawings allows us to plan the extension to avoid committee of adjustment, which would have increased the time to get a permit in hand. We completed the zoning review and Ontario Building Code review all at the same time once we confirmed no variances would be triggered by the rear extension.
While the design was in for permit we made sure to build Kasper and Claire’s scope of work concurrently to make sure they knew the actual costs of their project (versus waiting for the permit drawings to be in hand).
We ended up getting the permit mid-September and already had the scope of work and contract signed off to start the work.
What Happened During Construction
Every home addition project runs into issues that need experienced eyes to review and this project was no different. We had to make adjustments to the layout based on additions to the design from the clients and their interior designer. Usually we can add these into the designs before starting, but with how quickly we had to get the permit we had to do some of the work while construction was ongoing. This led to a mudroom being added, additional millwork being completed, some custom tile work, and ultimately a more functional design.
We ideally work with the client and the interior designer BEFORE construction to avoid having to make these changes on the fly (which lead to additional cost) but Kasper and Claire were more focused on the timeline than what the incremental costs were to make their house a home. With every project we always try to lead with the assumption that everything in the scope will be fixed price before our clients sign contracts, but sometimes we have to adjust our processes to suit the needs of our clients and their timelines.
We ultimately were able to get Kasper and Claire moved in for Christmas, with some minor finishing work completed in January 2021 to close out their project in the New Year. They were grateful at the pace of the project completion and sticking to their move-in timeline. Experienced project management and solid planning got this project over the finish line on time (and slightly over budget due to the changes made during construction).
When the City Has Questions, We Have Answers
Here's something most homeowners don't hear enough: a closed permit is as important as a finished renovation. It's your legal record that the work was done to code. It protects your home value and your insurance. And if it's left open, it becomes your problem — not ours.
The permit path at 19 Wrenson had a few sharp corners. First, partway through the final inspection process, the city inspector flagged that an HVAC engineer drawing was outstanding — specifically related to a sizing change on a return air component. This came in September, well after the physical work had been completed. Our office tracked it down, confirmed it had been addressed, and moved the permit forward.
Then came the neighbour complaint. A neighbouring property submitted a complaint to the City about a gap between the existing brick and the new rear addition. The City's position was that the Senior Inspector had to personally follow up on all complaints before signing off on the permit. Vince went to the site the same day to assess. The gap was on the neighbouring side of the property line. We worked through the process. And when the inspector took another look, his conclusion was clear: the gap was as per plan, not a deficiency.
Kasper's note when the permit cleared: "Seems like our neighbour's complaint was unfounded (not surprised)."
We coordinated the final documentation — structural engineering reports, insulation installer IDs, footing foundation reports — and the permit was officially closed in December 2021.
Bottom line: Permit navigation isn't glamorous, but it's part of what you're paying for — and we don't leave clients holding open permits.
What Kasper and Claire Actually Got
On January 21, 2021, Colleen sent the final invoice. Kasper responded within the hour.
"You guys were a treat to work with, very professional and accommodating to our every need." — Kasper Chmura
That's a sentence worth sitting with. Not because it's a compliment — though it is — but because it came from a couple who had just lived through a full multi-trade reno during a pandemic. These weren't easy circumstances. There were deficiency items to resolve. There were supply delays. There was the stove breaker issue that required our electrician to troubleshoot a GE dual-fuel range with an unusual wiring configuration the appliance company itself took two visits to understand. At every point, our team showed up and worked through it — immediately, with answers and solutions.
"Renovations are always a stressful process but this was by far one of the most well managed and efficient jobs we've experienced. You were all friendly and professional and we are so happy with the final output. Very excited to be in our new home for the new year, so thank you!" — Claire Robbins
Bottom line: The real measure of a renovation isn't the day of handover — it's whether your clients are still proud of the work months later.
The Support That Comes After
Here's where the 19 Wrenson story gets interesting. The same evening we sent the final invoice — January 21, 2021, 8:26 PM — Claire messaged: "Kasper just tried to give you a call but we just walked down to a flood in our basement." Ryan replied thirteen minutes later. Vince was on site first thing the next morning with fans. That wasn't a fluke. That's how we operate.
Over the following three-plus years, the team continued to be Kasper and Claire's first call:
February 2021: Stove breaker tripping — our electrician troubleshot the GE dual-fuel configuration and found a real solution
March 2021: Bidet leak in the upper bathroom — plumber dispatched the next day
March 2022: Snowmelt leaking into the basement while Kasper and Claire were in Aruba — we let ourselves in with their permission, ran fans, and followed up with a full waterproofing assessment (even though this wasn’t part of our scope)
May 2022: Sliding screen door on the rear deck wasn't tracking correctly — we got the manufacturer's service team on it
July 2022: Fridge delivery with a water/ice dispenser hookup the delivery company wouldn't do — we connected them with our plumber
June 2024: Fire alarm units going off in the middle of the night — we diagnosed the cause and sent a step-by-step cleaning guide within hours
None of this was invoiced. None of it was legally required. Every bit of it was the natural consequence of building a real relationship with clients — one where they trust us enough to call, and we trust ourselves enough to show up.
Bottom line: After-care isn't a service line — it's what happens when you actually care about the people whose homes you've touched.
Ready to Start Planning Your Project?
The 19 Wrenson renovation is proof that complex, multi-trade projects — done right, during difficult conditions — produce clients who don't just move on. They refer you. They post reviews. They call you years later when something needs attention. And they trust you enough to send their friends.
If you're looking at a renovation that touches more than one system in your home, the coordination and communication that goes into a project like this is exactly what separates a well-managed renovation from a stressful one.
Want To Start Your Home Addition Planning Journey?
Related Reading
His Childhood Home, Reimagined — 132 Atlee Avenue — another Toronto interior renovation where thoughtful execution made the difference
When the Second Opinion Became the Only Choice — how choosing the right contractor changes everything
How to Properly Prepare For a Home Renovation — what to know before any major renovation begins
