Guides
Answers you can plan a project on
Eighteen plain-language guides to the questions Toronto homeowners actually ask us: what things cost, what the city requires, what to do about the neighbours, and how builds really run.
Costs
Real 2026 numbers for Toronto: what decks and fences cost, why quotes differ, and where the money actually goes.
How Much Does a Deck Cost in Toronto? (2026 Price Guide)What a deck really costs in Toronto in 2026: prices per square foot by material and size, what drives the number, and the permit costs people forget.
How Much Does a Fence Cost in Toronto? (2026 Prices Per Linear Foot)Toronto fence prices per linear foot for wood, cedar, vinyl, chain link and composite, plus the add-ons (gates, tear-out, slopes) that move a quote.
Composite vs. Pressure-Treated Decking: Which Is Actually Cheaper Over 20 Years?The honest 20-year math on composite vs pressure-treated decking in Toronto, including maintenance costs and what each is like to live with.
Why Deck Quotes for the Same Project Range From $12,000 to $28,000Why three deck quotes for the same yard can range from $12,000 to $28,000, and the seven questions that make quotes comparable.
What Adds the Most Cost to a Deck? (Ranked by Impact)The five biggest deck cost drivers ranked: height, railings, material, access and stairs, plus where to save and where never to.
Permits & Rules
The 24-inch rule, fence heights, pool enclosures and permit timelines, minus the bureaucratic fog.
Do I Need a Permit for a Deck in Toronto? (The 24-Inch Rule Explained)When a deck needs a permit in Toronto: the 24-inch rule, the attached-deck trigger, the 10 m2 rule, and what happens if you skip it.
Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Toronto? (Height Limits and Bylaws)Toronto fence rules explained: height limits, prohibited materials, corner lots, privacy screens, and when you actually need a permit.
Toronto Pool Fence Requirements: What the Bylaw Actually DemandsToronto pool enclosure requirements: heights, the non-climbable zone, gate hardware, permits and inspection, in plain language.
How Long Does a Toronto Deck Permit Take, and What Does It Cost?What a Toronto deck permit costs, how long it takes, what slows applications down, and the winter-application trick.
Neighbours & Property Lines
Property lines, cost sharing, encroachments and shared fences, answered calmly and accurately for Toronto.
Can I Build a Fence Right on the Property Line in Ontario?Whether you can build a fence right on the property line in Ontario, when you need your neighbour's consent, and how to find the real line.
Does My Neighbour Have to Pay for Half the Fence in Toronto?In Toronto your neighbour does not have to split the fence: the 2018 Line Fences Act opt-out explained, and how cost sharing really works.
My Neighbour's Fence Is on My Property: What Now?What to do when a neighbour's fence encroaches on your property: survey first, talk second, and the formal options if that fails.
Do I Need My Neighbour's Permission to Replace a Shared Fence?Whether you need your neighbour's permission to replace a shared fence, and your clean alternative when they say no.
Materials & Process
Materials that survive Ontario winters, honest timelines, and how to hire well.
Cedar vs. Pressure-Treated vs. Composite Fencing: An Honest Comparison for Ontario WintersCedar vs pressure-treated vs composite fencing for Ontario winters, and why fences actually fail at the posts, not the boards.
How Long Does a Deck Last in Toronto? (By Material, Honestly)Realistic deck lifespans in Toronto by material, what our climate does to frames, and how to decide between repair, re-deck and rebuild.
The Best Time of Year to Build a Deck or Fence in Toronto (and Why Winter Quotes Are Cheaper)The Toronto deck-and-fence calendar: why winter booking beats spring booking, and the underrated fall build window.
How to Vet a Deck Contractor in Toronto (Red Flags, WSIB, Insurance, Deposits)How to vet a deck or fence contractor in Toronto: WSIB, insurance, written scope, sane deposits, red flags and the questions that matter.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Deck or Fence? (Realistic Toronto Timelines)Realistic Toronto timelines: 2-5 days on site for a fence, 1-2 weeks for a deck, and 6-12 weeks door to door once permits are counted.