FReQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our ideal project might be taking a leaky and energy inefficient structural brick home built in the 1920s – 1960s, opening it up, fixing its various structural and aesthetic issues, updating all its services, air sealing it, boosting its insulation, and gorgeously remodeling the house using sustainably sourced and non-toxic materials. Sometimes this work is phased (we’ve returned to complete what we’ve started after a decade or more, in some cases!), and sometimes our retrofit work is combined with an addition or the creation of a rental basement suite. If we are building new, we are trained and able to meet both Net Zero Energy and Passive House standards.

Yes, we offer a full turnkey green architectural and interior design service as part of our integrated Design/Estimate (DE) agreement. Our typical DE consists of two phases. We approach our design work carefully and integrate a real and detailed costing element into each phase to ensure our clients do not overreach and design beyond their project budgets. In Phase One of the DE we complete pre-design and concept design work, which is matched with a detailed preliminary estimate. When the concept design and preliminary estimate align, only then do we move to Phase Two of the DE: The creation of a final permit set and bid documents, which we then use to competitively bid all aspects of your project in a transparent RFP process to ensure you have a true, detailed, apples-to-apples comparison of your design’s construction cost. The rigour of our DE process ensures that your design goals and construction budget align.

We work closely with a number of interior designers who have a great aesthetic, share our ethics, and work collaboratively with our team and your budget to ensure material choices do not negatively impact your health and are sustainably chosen. As we are wholly transparent, we only work with interior designers who operate on a fair hourly or fixed contract basis. We will not work with designers who engage in hidden fees and material mark-ups.

Absolutely! We have worked with many different architects over the years. As we are specialists in the field of green building and retrofitting older Toronto homes, we are often hired to work collaboratively with third-party architects to make suggestions on how best to retrofit a home to maximize energy efficiency and minimize the over-all environmental impact of a project. When working with an outside architect for costing purposes, Greening Homes is engaged using a Project Evaluation and Cost Analysis (PECA) agreement. During the PECA, Greening Homes will undergo a full RFP process to competitively bid all aspects of your project to ensure you have a true, detailed, apples-to-apples comparison of your projected building costs.

Yes! We are educating the next generation of building science professionals. Chris Phillips, owner of Greening Homes, and other team members have taught at George Brown College. Chris has led several workshops for the public and private sectors, including seminars on building materials and health impacts for the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority and the Schools of Architecture at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. He has also provided general building consulting services and has worked as a court-approved expert witness on green building and IAQ issues. Greening Homes has also had the pleasure of building public projects such as the rammed earth rainwater harvesting cistern pad for the Hope Community Garden (Parkdale) and the Healthy Home at Downsview Park, in partnership with CMHC. Check out our community work too!

We do not build new homes for the purpose of re-sale. We work directly for and with homeowners to design and build healthy, low-embodied carbon and energy efficient custom homes that they intend to live in for a lifetime.

Greening Homes is a good fit for homeowners planning a major renovation, addition, whole-home energy retrofit, or custom home who are looking for a transparent, collaborative, and detail-oriented construction partner.

Our clients value clear communication, thoughtful planning, and honest budgeting. Throughout construction, we provide weekly budget updates and project reporting, so you always know where your project stands and can make informed decisions with confidence.

Many of our clients also want to create healthier, more comfortable, and energy-efficient homes. Some are motivated by concerns about indoor air quality, moisture, or the materials used in conventional renovations. Others want to improve their home’s performance, reduce energy consumption, or minimize the environmental impact of their project.

Whether your priority is quality craftsmanship, healthy building practices, long-term durability, or sustainable renovation, we’ll help you find the right balance for your goals and budget.

We operate using a fully transparent cost-plus pricing system that is fair to both our customers and our team. Wages are charged at an at-cost fixed labour rate for both the site team and our project management team. Sub-trades (e.g. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.) are engaged on a competitive bid basis and all project materials are billed at our cost, including any discounts we may receive as a contractor/builder. Sometimes these discounts can be as high as 40% or more, with any discounts indicated in our billing and highlighted on vendor receipts. The entire project cost is subject to a GC fee, from which all our overhead and profit are derived.

Although we are best known for our expertise in green building and sustainable renovations, many clients ultimately choose Greening Homes because of the confidence they have in our communication, organization, and complete financial transparency.

We believe that every client should know exactly what is happening on their project, both on site and financially. That’s why we’ve developed a communication and reporting system that keeps you informed every step of the way.

Throughout your project, you can expect:

• Weekly client meetings to review progress, discuss upcoming work, answer questions, and make decisions before they impact the schedule.
• Daily site updates through our project management software, including progress photos, site notes, and a running log of completed work.
• A centralized client portal where you can access your schedule, documents, selections, change orders, communications, and tracked project updates at any time.
• Transparent weekly invoicing so you always understand what has been completed, what is being billed, and how your budget is progressing.
• Detailed receipt packages with every invoice, including copies of supplier invoices and receipts. Any contractor discounts we receive are clearly identified and passed directly on to you.
• Real-time budget tracking so you always have an accurate picture of project costs, approved changes, and remaining budget.

Our goal is simple: no surprises. By combining proactive communication, meticulous documentation, and complete financial transparency, we provide the level of accountability and trust that allows our clients to feel confident throughout every stage of their renovation.

Nope. We are completely transparent with our costs and our GC fee. Our GC fee is a flat rate across the entire build that we have maintained for many years. It ensures we can comfortably pay our bills, manage warranty claims, and (hopefully!) operate with a small profit margin year after year. We do not engage in the back-room deals, “client facing” pricing, or inflated change order costing that is, unfortunately, rife (and even promoted) in our industry. Please be wary of companies that claim to operate on absurdly low GC fees: Running a full-service legal contracting business requires costs that include rent, various types of insurance, licensure, education expenses, software fees, tool purchases, marketing, warranty costs, accounting, and many other non-billable expenses. If you are not paying for these costs in a transparent and reasonable GC fee, then you are paying for them somewhere else.

We will only warrant materials and services directly purchased by, or contracted to, Greening Homes. If you can find a cheaper price for something, and it’s suitable for your project, we are glad to make that purchase on your behalf. Years of experience – and more than a few horror stories – have taught us that purchasing the right specifications, in proper quantities and in a timely manner, is best left to our team to avoid problems and make the chain of custody and responsibility for these items absolutely clear. That said, we do not generally purchase items such as kitchen appliances, furniture, artwork, window decor, or decorative lighting fixtures: We gladly leave those up to you!

Yes, of course! That said, we do not keep a standing list of references for immediate contact because we do not want to be burdensome for our clients and we respect their privacy. Upon request, we will be happy to reach out to past clients to renew their permission as a reference and give them a heads up that they will be contacted. We can, when suitable and with client permission, also conduct tours of current projects. On very rare occasions we have arranged to have clients walk through past projects to see first-hand the quality of our work, but this request is particularly intrusive and not something we tend to agree to do.

Although we are best known for our expertise in green building and sustainable renovations, many clients ultimately choose Greening Homes because of the confidence they have in our communication, organization, and complete financial transparency.

We believe that every client should know exactly what is happening on their project, both on site and financially. That’s why we’ve developed a communication and reporting system that keeps you informed every step of the way.

Throughout your project, you can expect:

• Weekly client meetings to review progress, discuss upcoming work, answer questions, and make decisions before they impact the schedule.
• Daily site updates through our project management software, including progress photos, site notes, and a running log of completed work.
• A centralized client portal where you can access your schedule, documents, selections, change orders, communications, and tracked project updates at any time.
• Transparent weekly invoicing so you always understand what has been completed, what is being billed, and how your budget is progressing.
• Detailed receipt packages with every invoice, including copies of supplier invoices and receipts. Any contractor discounts we receive are clearly identified and passed directly on to you.
• Real-time budget tracking so you always have an accurate picture of project costs, approved changes, and remaining budget.

Our goal is simple: no surprises. By combining proactive communication, meticulous documentation, and complete financial transparency, we provide the level of accountability and trust that allows our clients to feel confident throughout every stage of their renovation.

From the day construction begins, your project will be overseen by a dedicated project manager who serves as your primary point of contact. They coordinate trades, oversee quality, monitor schedules and budgets, and ensure the work is progressing according to plan.

You’ll also have access to our office team for administrative and accounting questions, and our leadership remains actively involved throughout the project. We believe successful renovations are built on clear communication, which is why we provide regular project updates and weekly budget reports so you always know how your project is progressing.

Rather than wondering who to call, you’ll always know who is responsible for your project and where to turn if you have questions or decisions to make.

Greening Homes employs a skilled team of experienced carpenters and project managers who take pride in their craftsmanship and professionalism. Depending on the stage of your renovation, you’ll also see trusted trade partners—including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, painters, and other specialists—who have been carefully selected for the quality of their work and reliability.

Everyone working on your home is expected to respect your property, maintain a safe and organized job site, and communicate professionally. Our project manager coordinates all trades to ensure the work is completed efficiently and to the high standards our clients expect.

We understand that inviting people into your home is a matter of trust. That’s why we work with a team we know well and are proud to stand behind.

The earlier, the better. We recommend reaching out as soon as you’re seriously considering a renovation or new build—even if your plans are still taking shape.

Our larger projects, such as whole-home renovations and additions, are often booked 6–12 months in advance, although schedules can change and earlier openings do occasionally become available. Smaller projects may have shorter lead times.

Contacting us early allows time to discuss your goals, establish a realistic budget, and plan your project properly before construction begins.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers—that’s what we’re here to help with. However, the more information you can provide, the more productive our initial conversation will be.

Helpful information includes:

• The address and age of your home
• The type of renovation or construction you’re considering
• Your goals and priorities
• Photos, sketches, or plans (if available)
• Your anticipated timeline
• Your preliminary budget, if you have one

The best place to start is by completing the inquiry form on our website. It helps us understand your project and connect you with the right members of our team.

Planning should begin well before you’d like construction to start. A successful renovation requires time for design, budgeting, permits (when required), material selections, and scheduling.

While every project is different, whole-home renovations and additions are often planned many months before construction begins. Starting early gives everyone the opportunity to make thoughtful decisions and helps avoid unnecessary delays once work is underway.

Even if you’re hoping to renovate next year, it’s worth starting the conversation now.

Once you’ve submitted an inquiry through our website, we’ll review the information and arrange a brief phone call to learn more about your project and answer any immediate questions.

If it appears we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule a complimentary, in-depth video consultation with our team. During this meeting we’ll discuss your home, your goals, your budget, your timeline, and how we approach the renovation process. We’ll also answer your questions and explain what the next steps would look like if you decide to move forward with Greening Homes.

For every project we undertake, we require a non-refundable retainer, based on the size and scope of the renovation or build. This amount is credited in full toward your project and deducted from your first invoice.