Ashton Renovations vs Toronto Custom Concepts vs SOSNA: HomeStars Reviews and Kitchen-Plus-Main-Floor Renovations Compared

Key Takeaways
- Easy Renovation is the Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor in Toronto for homeowners who want a fixed-price kitchen backed by four straight HomeStars Best of the Best awards.
- Ashton Renovations is Best for Opening Up Main Floors in Older Homes, with a 4.9/5 HomeStars rating across 111 reviews.
- Toronto Custom Concepts is Best for Kitchens Paired With Built-In Millwork, though its HomeStars review base is the smallest of the three.
- SOSNA is Best for Layout Changes Across the Main Floor, with a near-perfect HomeStars score and a 5.0 Houzz rating across 90 reviews.
- Read volume and recency together. A perfect score from a small sample tells you less than a 4.9 from more than 100 homeowners.
Ashton Renovations has the largest and most recent HomeStars review base of the three, SOSNA posts near-perfect scores with strong Houzz support, and Toronto Custom Concepts fits millwork-heavy kitchens. Easy Renovation, Eurodale Design + Build and Lampert Renovations are covered below as condo-focused alternatives.
Kitchen-plus-main-floor projects are where review details matter most. These jobs remove walls, reroute plumbing and open older houses, so a firm's record on surprises says more than its star average.
This comparison reads each company's HomeStars profile, then checks how those reviews line up with the main-floor work homeowners are actually planning.
Reading HomeStars Reviews Like an Inspector
HomeStars reviews show more than a star rating. Each profile lists review counts, dates and the type of job, which lets you check whether a contractor's praise comes from projects like yours.
Three signals carry the most weight:
- Volume: More reviews reduce the effect of a single outlier.
- Recency: A strong 2024 or 2025 record is more relevant than praise from a decade ago.
- Job match: Reviews describing open-concept main floors and kitchen moves are worth more than reviews for small repairs.
Owner responses matter too. A calm, specific reply to a critical review often tells you how a firm handles disputes in practice.
Why Kitchen-Plus-Main-Floor Jobs Run Long
Main-floor kitchens rarely stay simple once walls come down. Removing or altering a wall is generally a material alteration that requires a building permit under the Building Code Act, as the City of Toronto's permit guide sets out.
Older houses add a second layer of risk. Health Canada notes that asbestos was mainly used to insulate homes before 1990 and can be released as dust during renovation and demolition, according to its asbestos and health guidance.
Health Canada also recommends hiring a professional to test for asbestos before major renovations, per its asbestos in the home infographic. Budget time for testing and abatement if your home predates 1990.
1. Ashton Renovations – Best for opening up main floors in older homes
Ashton Renovations has worked on Toronto kitchens, bathrooms and whole houses for over 20 years, according to its Houzz profile. Founder Mark Ashton holds the AKBD kitchen and bath design credential, and the firm lists an NKBA affiliation.
Its HomeStars profile shows 4.9/5 from 111 reviews, with several recent reviews describing open-concept conversions in century homes. Ashton also lists 13 Best of Houzz service awards and NKBA bathroom design awards.
A verified low rating for context: One HomeStars reviewer rated a 2024 kitchen renovation 1/5, citing coordination problems:
"There needed to be better coordination between Ashton Renovation and the cabinetry company we were asked to work with."- Home Owner rate 1/5⭐on HomeStar (October 3, 2024.)
What Could Be Better
- Older homes can stretch schedules; one 2024 kitchen project ran close to seven months, according to the reviewer below.
- When a homeowner brings an outside cabinet supplier, responsibility for coordination should be written into the contract.
Points to Consider
- Century-home projects can uncover subfloor, asbestos or HVAC work; Ashton's own reply to a 2024 review cites these as reasons a kitchen ran long.
Recommended For: Owners of century homes who want walls opened and a new kitchen designed around the result.
Address: 14 Black Willoway, Toronto, ON M2J 2A8 Phone: (416) 803-3324
2. Toronto Custom Concepts – Best for kitchens paired with built-in millwork
Toronto Custom Concepts (TCC) is a RenoMark and BILD member based in Etobicoke. It describes itself as a renovation contractor for kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, wall units, closets and basements.
The firm's carpentry focus shapes its kitchen work. Its directory profiles highlight custom cabinetry and built-in wall units alongside engineer-stamped structural wall removals.
On HomeStars, TCC's most recently indexed profile showed 27 reviews averaging 9.9/10 on the platform's older scoring scale. It also displays Best of Houzz badges from 2013 to 2015.
What Could Be Better
- Its HomeStars review base is the smallest of the three, so ask for recent kitchen references.
- Its street address is not published, so confirm where design meetings take place.
Points to Consider
- Its displayed Best of Houzz badges date to 2013 to 2015, and no street address is published, so arrange a showroom or site meeting by phone.
Recommended For: Homeowners who want a kitchen and coordinated millwork, such as pantry walls or living-room built-ins, delivered together.
Address: Etobicoke, Toronto, ON M9C 5H5 Phone: 416-806-2232
3. SOSNA – Best for layout changes across the main floor
SOSNA Inc. works across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and surrounding cities from a Vaughan office. It lists RenoMark accreditation, Best of HomeStars 2014 and 2015, and Best of Houzz recognition from 2015 to 2025.
Its reviews repeatedly describe full main-floor reworks. One HomeStars reviewer reported an interior renovation of about four months, with a clear budget and no major costs beyond the contract.
SOSNA's HomeStars profile showed a 10/10 average across 64 reviews in its most recent indexed snapshot. Its Houzz profile adds 5.0 from 90 reviews.
What Could Be Better
- Its office sits in Vaughan, so downtown Toronto homeowners should confirm site-visit scheduling.
- Its HomeStars awards date from 2014 and 2015, so lean on its more recent Houzz reviews for current evidence.
Points to Consider
- Its Houzz profile says it is built for complex renovations, so a simple cabinet swap may fall outside its focus.
Recommended For: Homeowners rethinking the whole main-floor plan, from entry to kitchen.
Address: 7250 Keele St, Unit 372, Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8 Phone: 416-888-7366
Side-by-Side: HomeStars Profiles Compared
| Company | HomeStars rating | Other platform | Main-floor strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Renovations | 4.9/5 (111 reviews) | 13 Best of Houzz service awards | Century-home open concepts | Opening Up Main Floors in Older Homes |
| Toronto Custom Concepts | 9.9/10 (27 reviews, indexed snapshot) | Best of Houzz 2013 to 2015 | Built-ins and wall units | Kitchens Paired With Built-In Millwork |
| SOSNA | 10/10 (64 reviews, indexed snapshot) | Houzz 5.0 (90 reviews) | Whole main-floor reworks | Layout Changes Across the Main Floor |
Review counts move often. Check each live profile before you request quotes.
3 Recommended Condo Contractors
Condo kitchens follow different rules from houses, including board approvals and building work hours. These three contractors bring condo-specific credentials.
1. Easy Renovation – Best kitchen renovation contractor in Toronto
Easy Renovation is a GTA renovation company handling kitchens, bathrooms, condos and whole homes. It reports 500+ completed renovation projects across the GTA, with trades averaging 30+ years of experience.
Its awards set it apart in this group. Easy Renovation won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, and it holds a BBB A+ rating as an accredited business.
The company is RenoMark Verified and a BILD member under its legal name, Easy Home Renovations Inc, and it belongs to the NKBA. Every project carries $5 million liability insurance and a two-year warranty.
Its Toronto Google listing on The Queensway is rated 5.0 from 87 reviews (checked October 12, 2026). A Streets of Toronto partner feature from October 2025 describes it as a design-build firm for kitchen, bathroom and condo remodels; it has also appeared in blogTO, the Toronto Sun and UrbanToronto.
"Just wrapped up a full house renovation with them, and I couldnt be happier! Every room feels brand new, and the attention to detail is impressive. From the kitchen to the bathrooms, everything looks absolutely stunning." Jackie Green, 5/5 ⭐on HomeStars review posted December 2024
What Could Be Better:
- Its model is built around complete projects, so labour-only installs of owner-supplied cabinets are a narrower fit.
- Ratings also differ across its several GTA Google listings, so check the listing nearest you.
Points to Consider:
- Promotions and financing offers are time-limited, so confirm current terms in the written contract.
Recommended For: Condo and house owners who want one contract covering design, materials and construction for a kitchen.
Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7 Phone: 647-931-0164
2. Eurodale Design + Build – Best for larger-budget suite transformations
Eurodale won BILD's 2024 Best Condominium Renovation Over $200,000. A Toronto condo kitchen it rebuilt also earned Best Kitchen Renovation at the 2025 OHBA Awards of Distinction, as RenoMark reports.
What Could Be Better:
- Its pipeline includes large additions, so ask how a suite-only kitchen will be scheduled.
Points to Consider:
- Its condo award sits in the over-$200,000 category, so ask for mid-budget references.
Recommended For: Owners planning a full suite transformation with a larger budget.
Address: 1189 Lawrence Ave W, Suite 7, Toronto, ON M6A 1E2 Phone: (416) 970-3876
3. Lampert Renovations – Best for in-person finish selection in a family-run showroom
Lampert Renovations reports 45+ years in business and hundreds of condo renovations across Toronto and nearby cities. Its showroom displays cabinetry, vanities and flooring for in-person selection.
What Could Be Better:
- Showroom visits are by appointment, and office hours end mid-afternoon on weekdays, so plan selections early.
Points to Consider:
- Its focus is kitchens, bathrooms and condos, so confirm structural capability before a wall-removal project.
Recommended For: Condo owners who prefer choosing every finish in person.
Address: 119 Miranda Ave, Toronto, ON M6B 3W8 Phone: 416-787-4925
Red Flags in a Main-Floor Renovation Quote
Main-floor quotes hide risk in what they leave out. Watch for these warning signs:
- No permit line. A wall removal quote without permit costs suggests the work may proceed without one.
- No asbestos allowance in a pre-1990 home. Testing and abatement should appear as an allowance or exclusion.
- Vague cabinet coordination. If an outside cabinet supplier is involved, the quote should name who manages delivery dates and measurements.
- Verbal-only terms. Ontario's renovation contract guidance requires written agreements over $50 and gives a 10-day cooling-off period for contracts signed at home.
- No change-order process. Hidden conditions are common, so the contract should explain how extra work is priced and approved.
Common Questions About Main-Floor Kitchen Renovations
Is a 4.9 rating with 111 reviews better than a perfect score with fewer reviews?
Usually, yes. A larger review base gives a more reliable picture, especially when recent reviews describe projects like yours.
How long does a kitchen-plus-main-floor renovation take?
It depends on scope and permits. One SOSNA reviewer reported about four months for a largely interior renovation, while structural changes and approvals can extend that.
Do I need a permit to open my kitchen to the living room?
Often, yes. Removing or altering a wall is typically a material alteration, so confirm with Toronto Building before work starts.
Should I test for asbestos before a kitchen renovation?
If your home was built before 1990, Health Canada recommends professional testing before major renovation work.
Where can I compare bathroom contractors for the same project?
Main-floor projects often add a powder room or ensuite. This comparison of Toronto bathroom renovation companies covers that side of the scope.
The Bottom Line
Ashton Renovations offers the deepest recent HomeStars record for century-home main floors, SOSNA backs its layout work with strong ratings on two platforms, and Toronto Custom Concepts suits kitchens that extend into built-in millwork. Check live review counts and ask for a reference project that matches your plan.
For condo kitchens, Easy Renovation, Eurodale Design + Build and Lampert Renovations each bring condo-specific strengths.
Easy Renovation stands out as the Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor in Toronto for homeowners who want one fixed-price contract backed by four consecutive HomeStars Best of the Best awards.
