One Group Design + Build

Nathalia went back to school for design while pregnant with her second daughter and working full time. Thiago spent fifteen years running manufacturing floors, where a missed date is a number somebody answers for, and then brought that to a trade famous for missing them.

We opened in June 2019 and work from Markham, Ontario. We hold a builder licence from the Home Construction Regulatory Authority.

A renovation should never start with we will figure it out as we go.

Five stars on Google →

What does a renovation cost in the Greater Toronto Area?

The renovations we take on typically start around $85,000 and can exceed $500,000. Where a project lands depends on the size of the home, the scope of work, structural changes, the condition of the existing house and the level of finish. A focused kitchen renovation, a main-floor transformation or an interior remodel may begin at the lower end of that range. Larger renovations across several floors, with structural work, custom millwork and extensive mechanical upgrades, can go well beyond it. We discuss budget early. You get an initial range during the planning stage, and detailed pricing once the design, the selections and the construction scope are defined.

What does an addition or custom home cost?

Major additions and new custom homes generally begin around $500,000. Larger projects reach $3.6 million and beyond, depending on size, architecture, site conditions, the complexity of the build and the level of customization. Because we handle both the design and the construction, the budget is part of the design process from the beginning. It is not something discovered after the drawings are complete.

How long does a renovation take?

The construction phase of a renovation typically runs from four to eighteen months, depending on the size, the complexity and the scope of the project. A focused renovation may finish closer to the lower end of that range. Whole-home renovations, major structural changes and projects with a great deal of custom work take significantly more time. That range covers construction only, and does not include the design, documentation, engineering or permit work that comes before it. Before construction begins, we develop the design, prepare the required drawings, coordinate engineering when it is needed, complete the material and finish selections, and manage permit submissions for projects that need municipal approval. Once the scope is fully defined, we give you a construction schedule based on the actual work involved rather than a standard timeline applied to every project.

What is a design-build firm, and how is it different from hiring a designer and a contractor separately?

A design-build firm brings the design and the construction sides of a project together under one team. Instead of coordinating a designer, a contractor, an engineer, a cabinetmaker and several suppliers yourself, you have one team managing the project from the initial concept through construction, millwork, furnishing and final installation. The people designing the space work alongside the people responsible for building it. A decision can be weighed for its looks, its feasibility, its budget and its construction impact before it reaches the jobsite. For you, that means one team, one coordinated scope and one point of accountability throughout the project.

Which cities do you work in?

We are based in Markham and work throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Stouffville, Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Caledon, Ajax, Pickering and the surrounding communities. Our portfolio includes both completed projects and design concepts. A project marked Visualisation on the work page is design work that has not yet been photographed as a completed space.

What kind of projects do you take on?

Our work ranges from focused interior renovations to complete custom homes. We take on kitchen and main-floor renovations, multi-room remodels, whole-home renovations, additions, custom homes, basement transformations, custom millwork and other substantial residential projects. We also provide interior design consultations, space planning, furniture and decor selection, furnishing packages and procurement for clients who may not need a full construction project. Some projects begin with one room and grow as the design develops. You do not need to arrive with an entire house renovation already planned. We can start with the area that matters most and work out together what level of involvement makes sense. We also manage restoration and reconstruction after water, fire or structural damage, including projects coordinated through insurance claims.

Begin a project.

Tell us about your home, what you are thinking of changing, and roughly when you would like to begin. Whether it is a focused renovation, a larger transformation, an addition, a custom home, or only the beginning of an idea, we will tell you from the start if we are the right team for it.