The Blueprint

What The Blueprint is

Written from the job site

The Blueprint is where we write down what we have learned renovating older homes in Toronto’s east end — century semis in Riverdale, double-brick houses in Leslieville, bungalows and additions across East York and the Beaches.

It is the explanation we would give you standing in your basement: what a job like yours actually costs, what the City will ask for, and what tends to turn up once the walls are open. No sales pitch and no scare stories — just the things worth knowing before you are asked to decide.

Who writes it

Chris Smith — Red Seal carpenter, BCIN designer, and HCRA-licensed, Tarion-registered builder. Woodsmith has been renovating east-end homes since 2001.

How to Save Money on Your Next Home Renovation

How to Save Money on Your Next Home Renovation: Expert Tips Renovating your home is exciting, but it can also be a significant financial undertaking. However, with careful planning and...

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Net Zero Home Renovations: The Future of Sustainable Living

Net Zero Home Renovations: A Future-Proof Investment for Sustainable Living Woodsmith Construction Inc. is proud to introduce a new service that’s reshaping the future of home renovations—Net Zero Home Renovations....

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Compounding Variables: A Renovator’s View on Project Management

Compounding Variables: A Renovator’s View on Project Management Renovating homes teaches a crucial lesson: project management teeters between meticulous planning and the reality of execution. Despite numerous efforts to develop...

A high-quality graphical cross-section illustration of a house showing the concept of solar heat gain. The cross-section should include sunlight enter

Canadian Contractor Article: Let the sun Shine In

Let the Sun Shine In: Enhancing Your Home by Controlling Solar Heat Gain At Woodsmith Construction Inc., we understand the importance of managing solar heat gain to create comfortable, energy-efficient...

Renomark Award winner

Renomark 2024 Best Innovative Renovation Award

Celebrating Innovation: Woodsmith Constructions’ Renomark Award Win Woodsmith Construction Inc. is known for its unparalleled craftsmanship and dedication to sustainability and recently clinched the Renomark 2024 Best Innovative Renovation Award....

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CBC Interview: Navigating Supply and Labour Challenges in Ontario’s Construction Sector

https://woodsmith.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ETT_2022-10-28.mp4 Addressing Supply and Labour Challenges: Insights from Christopher Smith on CBC As 2022 drew to a close, Ontario’s construction industry faced significant hurdles due to supply chain disruptions and...

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CBC Interview: Ontario’s New Pathway for Young Apprentices

https://woodsmith.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2023-0628-5261-1.mp4 Embracing Change: Ontario’s New Pathway for Young Apprentices In a significant shift to address the skilled trades labour shortage, the Ontario government has introduced a plan allowing Grade 11...

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Canadian Contractor Article: Four Rules for Small Kitchens

Four Essential Rules for Small Kitchen Design by Christopher Smith In our latest feature on Canadian Contractor, I delve into the art and science of small kitchen design, a common...

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Canadian Contractor Article: Leveraging Social Networks to Connect Contractors

Hiring Help: Leveraging Social Networks to Connect Contractors In a recent feature for Canadian Contractor, I explored the evolving landscape of hiring within the construction industry, mainly through the lens...

Higher Value at the lower level

Canadian Contractor Feature Article: Higher Value at the Lower Level

Unlocking Higher Value at the Lower Level: A Strategic Approach to Basement Renovations In the August 2023 cover story for Canadian Contractor, I shared insights into the transformative potential of...

Party wall Feature Article

Party Walls in Toronto: What Semi-Detached and Row-House Owners Need to Know Before They Renovate

If you own a semi or a row house in the east end, one wall of your home is not entirely yours. It holds up your floors and your neighbour’s....

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2024 RenoMark Awards Finalist for Best Innovative Renovation

Woodsmith Construction Inc., a leading name in Toronto’s home renovation scene, has proudly earned a finalist spot for the Best Innovative RenoMark Award 2024. This prestigious nomination underscores their commitment...

Our Clients' Experiences Say It All

At Woodsmith Construction, we believe our clients’ experiences highlight our commitment to exceptional customer service. Explore what real homeowners say about partnering with us to achieve their home renovation goals.

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