Urban Studio

Construction can be a daunting proposition so it was very important for my family to find people whom we can trust with our home. We feel very lucky that we found Joseph and his team exceeded our expectations.

We embarked on a second floor addition and a full renovation of our bungalow. Urban Studio helped us design and apply for city permits for the work both inside and outside our property. They are professional, respectful, kind and most importantly trustworthy. Joseph helped us to make decisions and few times helped us change our minds when needed. He is very punctual and easy to work with.

Looking out window we often see cars stopping to take pictures of the house! We are thankful for our well-constructed home. Thank you everyone at Urban Studio.

I would like to wholeheartedly recommend Joseph the gentlemen who runs this company as he worked tirelessly to deliver high quality workmanship and making sure my family is happy and satisfied.

My husband and I been contemplating on remodeling our house for few years. We wanted to make the main area completely open concept and add addition at the back to increase our living space on both floors.

After interviewing many contractors we chose Urban Studio based on their understanding of our ideas in the initial consultation. Joseph and his team listened to our ideas and what we wanted, and made valuable and creative. The quotation they provided included a firm price and milestone payment schedule which secured our confidence.

This was a large project and from the start, they arranged all the architectural drawings, permits needed for the project. As the construction phase started, Joseph made us feel at ease and communicated to us on weekly bases. The entire crew at Urban Studio were courteous and respectful of our family. During the project, we came across a number of unexpected surprises which they repaired without an extra charge.

The project finished on time, within the budget and today we have a modernized open concept home which looks amazing! We will be using Joseph and his team again in future and highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a reliable and trust worthy company.

We have decided to expand our current bungalow in North York and have interviewed 6 different contractors. Most came within a similar quote, a couple much higher and a couple much lower than expected, some seemed organized and others not so much. Joseph and team seem to be the right balance of a one stop shop between design and contractor as well as pricing right in the middle of the others in terms of quote. More importantly is an emphasis on doing the renovation the right way, detailed, not rushing, while listening to our concerns throughout the design process to help us not only get what we want but guide us to keep us within our budget.

Dena (architect) is creative and provides great solutions to design and keeps the homes design flow top of mind which is important to us. As a Realtor I see A LOT of new and old homes that are poorly designed and this holds back their value and livability. Joseph & Dena are being patient with us as they realize this part of the process is important to us as well as the outcome of the project. Most of the work, the back and forth needs to be done before the build has begun so as to negate any suprises and not all contractors have this type patience.

Joseph is a great problem solver and at times when required suggests alternative, creative ideas to help us achieve what we want. It's obvious he cares about the outcome of the project as he prides his work.

In the first couple months we have worked with Urban Studio to start designing our home we are very happy with our decision and highly recommend working with them for anyone looking to do a home renovation. We will be updating this review when our home is completed. Thank you Joseph, Dena and Urban Studio team

We recently completed our renovation with Urban Studio and were very pleased with the end result. We purchased our 1913 workers cottage with the intent of renovating it as it was in dire need of some love and modern conveniences. The one storey structure had beautiful 10-foot ceilings and was on a nice sized lot but we needed more space for our growing family. Urban Studio assisted us through the design, a very iterative process, where I was able to infuse my vision into every square inch of what we wanted for our "new" home. We went from a one-storey 1 bedroom + den and 1.5 bath house to a two-storey 3 bedroom (+1) and 3.5 bath house. We gutted the main floor, underpinned our basement to 8 foot ceilings (previously 6 foot) and added a brand new second storey addition. Throughout the process Joseph was very hands-on and responsive to our needs and concerns. He was also very patient as I was a very hands-on client and was regularly at the house doing site checks and quality control/ contract administration. I had a very specific vision in mind for our home and Joseph and the Urban Design team helped execute exactly what I wanted, bringing my vision to life.

We chose to renovate during COVID and while this brought a set of challenges (material cost increases, etc.) Joseph was very communicative and oftentimes took on any additional costs to see our project through to the finish line. We had anticipated a 36-week construction timeline and he pushed the team to maintain our timelines despite the uncertainties and material challenges throughout the pandemic. At the end of the project, we only had a 4-week delay which is near perfect if you've ever undertaken a construction project of this magnitude.

Joseph kept us up-to-date on all things going on at the house, and took time out of his busy schedule to arrange for face-to-face meetings at the house on a bi-weekly and at times weekly basis. He provided a list of many suppliers which served as a great basis/ starting point for sourcing materials (flooring, tile, vanities, baseboard, moulding, etc.) and we had a great experience with many of his trades (particularly his fine finishing carpenters Rezo and team who were absolutely incredible and very open to building items I had hand sketched).

Joseph's kitchen designers were amazing and very responsive to my vision. They not only delivered exactly what I was looking for but worked with me in their warehouse to design the perfect shaker cabinet fronts, custom cutting a shallow depth front. The cabinetry is very high-end and amazing quality, all soft close and wonderful built-in garbage, recycle and composting solutions. They were also open to my suggestions and accommodated all of my kitchen requests. The kitchen designer also built our living room built-ins and front entryway bench and shaker shelving. They took my hand sketches and turned them into beautiful, high-end pieces that add so much character and charm to our home.

Everything in our home is exactly how we wanted it to be and I was able to flex my passion for design while being supported by knowledgable trades. As with every construction project, there will always be unexpected things you encounter but Joseph was quick to inform us and support us in pivoting our design to accommodate any changes. If you're not comfortable taking the design lead, Joseph is also very knowledgable and can provide his depth of experience to assist in decision making. If there is something that you want and you are clear in your expectations, he will ensure your vision is brought to life.

Following our move in, Joseph has also been very responsive in "fixing" any small details we may have missed, and was quick to send out trades to complete my check-list of items. He also provides a 5-year warranty on his services so we can sleep easy knowing that he will be there to support us down the line if anything comes up.

Things to keep in mind if you plan on signing the dotted line:
- Go check out Joseph's work and follow-up with his references. He provided us with a long list and it helped us make the decision to go with him. See projects in every phase/stage of design so you know what to expect and so you also get to see his workmanship throughout each stage of the project
- Be sure to purchase your fixtures and finishes in advance so you're able to find exactly what you want (lighting, bathroom fixtures). Having these ready to go will avoid any rushed purchases
- Find precedents of what you like (Pinterest, Instagram, etc.) so these can guide your design and decisions throughout the process
- Know that you will hit a point of decision fatigue, make sure you have thought through the details in advance so you're prepared to make decisions promptly

All in all we are so pleased with the outcome of our project. We have received so many compliments from neighbours and passersby and oftentimes look out our window to find people admiring our new home.

Thank you to Joseph and the Urban Design Studio team for being so great to work with, I know I wasn't the easiest client but they were patient, friendly and delivered on everything I dreamed.

We hired Urban Studio to design and build a rear addition and a full gut renovation of our home. After visiting two of their projects and speaking to some of their references, we were reassured that they would put in great care and detail into our place. Joseph and his design team proposed an open floor plan which we didn't think could be achieved with a renovation, giving us the extra space we needed, an spacious kitchen, a practical laundry room, a serene master bedroom and bath on the second floor, and an amazing deck. We were happy to rely on their expertise in the design aspect as we didn’t have any prior experience. Our family could not be happier with the overall result of the renovation.
 
Being a large renovation project we were prepared for several months of construction and had to rent a home above standards price which increased our initial cost estimate.  With a whole home renovation, I think it's inevitable that problems are going to arise. Urban Studio kindly dealt with every issue even when the company was not directly at fault.  Joseph was patient throughout and made sure things we done to our expectation. I must add Joseph did everything he could to help with expenses, including helping us choose materials that would fit our budget, letting us use the company’s suppler discount and provide alternatives that might be lower in cost but function just as well.  We were able to move in 7 months after Urban Studio began work.

The company is quick to respond to emails, calls and texts even with multiple projects on the go.  Joseph kept us in the loop with the weekly progress and we did not feel the need to do any daily site check-ins as we had complete faith in Joseph and his great team. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work!  We love our beautiful new home!
 

UPDATE March '22 - We wanted to follow up with our post-reno feedback, which has continued to be very positive. Even though the last payment to Urban Studio was made over 7 months ago, Joseph and his team have been excellent and prompt in addressing anything. We had identified a few minor fixes required, and in one case, a correction to framing around our fireplace - and in every case, Joseph has been just a text or phone call away and ready to schedule his crews in to assess and help fix. I should also add, it's all been done under the 5 year warranty, and we remain confident that Joseph and his team will be there if we need them to stand by their work and promises.

ORIGINAL REVIEW- Fall '21 - We hired Urban Studios at the end of 2020 to complete a full house renovation in the Leslieville area (entire gut job: basement, main floor/kitchen, relocation of interior stairs, newly added windows/doors, new deck, all bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms). We had honestly been putting off this reno of our century home for almost a decade, because we just didn't know where to start and it made us anxious to think about tackling it. We began by interviewing a few local contractors and getting estimates, and were most impressed with Joseph and Urban Studios out of the gate. His estimated project cost was very much in line with others, but he was the most prompt in communication, provided so much more attention to detail in his proposed scope of work (ex: one other company gave us a vague 1 page quote, which to us, was unacceptable for a project of this size, vs Joseph's almost 10 pages for example). He also voluntarily provided us with many recent clients to connect with before we hired him, where others did not even offer. We felt much more comfortable with all this in place before we even started, especially as first time renovators. Throughout the project, we were very pleased with the level of communication we had with Joseph and his colleagues - he was readily available for calls, and very prompt in responding to texts. For us, this was a really important attribute in determining who we were going to work with, and he continued with this level of client service from the original estimate phase right through to completion. Urban Studio's very clear project milestone payment schedule also worked very well for us, and Natasha on the team was very on top of the finance side - also not always typical in the industry from what we've heard.

Joseph's recommended suppliers provided us with great finishes and fixtures, some at preferred rates, and most importantly his trades teams were very skilled; the quality of the work throughout our home is very evident. Now, with a project of this size, a 100-year old city house and an ongoing pandemic... you just have to expect curve balls along the way. Whenever we did though, we were impressed with Joseph's ability to provide solutions to our satisfaction; he was great at hearing any concerns out in a timely manner and also more than fair in suggesting and accommodating changes as we went through the project. This was our first renovation of any size, and while it felt overwhelming at times, we were glad we had Joseph to guide us. Even now in the first few months post-reno, with all our payments complete, if we notice small things that need to be addressed he is prompt in making sure his teams are there to help us. We are very happy with the experience and finished project, and would definitely work with Joseph and his team again. Highly recommend the Urban Studios team.

We’ve been working with Urban Studio for several months now and we’re currently in the middle of a full-home reno. I had been dreading tackling this renovation but honestly, once we started the process with Urban Studio, things just ticked along so smoothly. Our Project Manager Joseph is amazing - responsive, flexible, detail-oriented and very budget minded. And his crews and tradespeople are all great too - hardworking, reliable and lovely to deal with. My house has progressed steadily and ahead of schedule so far, and we are just so happy that we chose Urban Studio. I would absolutely recommend Joseph and his team!

Joseph and his team at Urban Studio are as professional as you can find a team to be. Joseph has his artistic and creative views which helped us a lot both in the design and construction process. At first we were worried and a bit hesitant to undertake our renovation project during the pandemic, but let me tell you, It was a smooth process throughout. All their trades are professional and friendly. Our full gut renovation included new electrical, plumbing throughout, two bathrooms as well as a new kitchen. Joseph is a perfectionist and pays attention to every detail that we didn’t not even know it existed!! He is very punctual and easy to deal with it. I’ve already recommended him to few friends and 100% recommend them to anyone out there looking for a professional home renovation service.

Hello,
We hired Joseph and Urban Studios in January to assist us with our home renovation project. From the beginning stages, the process was explained to us and if we were concerned, the answers provided have always alleviated any stress we may have been facing. To date, we have been pleased with Joseph and Urban Studios. In particular, we are most pleased with how patient Joseph is and how accessible he has been to us from the beginning stages. Every time I email his office, Joseph responds directly or a member of his team reaches out to advise that Joseph will be available to discuss our matters later in the day or at the latest, the following day. This is key for my husband and I and shows us the dedication of this Company to make its clients happy. My husband and I met with several contractors and out of the many we met with, Urban Studios and Joseph was the easy choice given their wealth of knowledge. To find a contractor is difficult. I personally am someone who has extremely high standards and hold everyone I hire accountable, especially when we are dealing with this large of a sum renovation. I can honestly say that I believe Urban Studios and Joseph is genuine and has our best interests at heart for this renovation project and continue to thank him for his patience. I have kept him on the phone, at times, for over an hour to ensure I was comfortable in moving forward to the next step and at no time has Joseph made me feel that I was a bother. This is appreciated ! We are awaiting the City to approve our permits and will provide an update at the next stage of the process.

Let me begin by saying that I’m writing this review during the Covid-19 crisis in Feb 2021. We hired Urban Studio to design and construct a large addition to our home prior to the pandemic. The project included extending an existing a two-story home at the back and adding a 3rd floor.

Knowledgeable and experienced design team which included Engineers and Architects, submitted all the necessary drawings we needed to get the approval from the Committee of Adjustment and the required City Permits. We were able to start our construction after a few short months.

We experienced professionalism throughout the entire process and witnessed pure transparency throughout the project. The trades were all friendly, professional and focused on their craftsmanship.

During the construction we observed Joseph’s skills as the Project Manager. He was punctual, responsive, and easy to work with. He was extremely helpful with his ideas about the design, layout and finishing’s of our home. Joseph’s ability of problem solving was outstanding. He was very flexible with any changes or new ideas that came along during construction. I can’t even imagine doing this without him on board.

The mile stone payment plan was very assuring and also helped me understand the process of construction. As this was over a $600,000 commitment for my husband and I, the entire breakdown of the financial project kept us on track. In addition, I was able use the trades discounts at their recommended suppliers and it was a nice to have the option to upgrade my fixtures and save some money.

Now that I work from home, and my children are doing online learning, I am not sure how it would even be manageable if we were living in our old home.

We are now living in a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom, three-story home with a fully finished basement. Our house is brand new from the inside out.
We couldn’t be happier with the end results! We are loving our new kitchen and all the extra space! My kids don’t feel cramped and being lockdown in our new home is enjoyable.

The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us and a family of 5 living in a 2-bedroom rental was not easy. Due to the lockdown/pandemic, our project was delayed by a few weeks. My husband and I fully understood the situation and did not complain about the delay. Urban Studio surprised us by offering to cover the cost of our short-term rental. This just shows how understanding the company represented itself during this crisis by placing the homeowners needs at the forefront.

Well done Joseph and thank you to you all at Urban Studio!!