Astaneh Construction Review: Kitchen Layout Transformations, Google Reviews and 4 Alternatives
Key Takeaways
- Astaneh Construction posts its wall-removal and kitchen costs openly and rates 5.0 on HomeStars and Houzz.
- With 4K 3D previews of a new layout before demolition, Easy Renovation is the Best Overall Choice for GTA Kitchen Remodels, backed by a fixed-price contract and a 2-year warranty.
- Sosna suits homeowners who want structured pre-construction planning, while Ashton Renovations focuses on older Toronto homes.
- Acon Renovation fits projects that pair a kitchen with basement underpinning or waterproofing.
- Wall removal adds at least $10,000-$15,000 to an Astaneh kitchen, and Toronto requires a building permit for that work.
Astaneh Construction publishes what a wall removal and a new kitchen layout cost, handles drawings and permits through one point of contact, and holds 5.0 ratings on HomeStars and Houzz. For layout-heavy GTA kitchens, it is a credible, transparent choice.
Two caveats apply: kitchens start around $30,000, and its HomeStars reviews stop in 2023. Four alternatives are worth weighing too: Easy Renovation, Sosna, Ashton Renovations and Acon Renovation.
Astaneh Construction’s Ratings Across Google, HomeStars and Houzz
Astaneh Construction holds high ratings on three platforms, checked in October 2026:
| Platform | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| About 4.7 from 144 reviews | Per the Birdeye aggregator, October 2026 | |
| HomeStars | 5.0 from 25 reviews | HomeStars profile; newest review Nov 2023 |
| Houzz | 5.0 from 30 reviews | Houzz profile |
Houzz lists Astaneh as a Best of Houzz Service winner in 2023 and 2024. Its own site displays Tarion, RenoMark, BILD and NKBA logos (self-stated).
Company Snapshot
Astaneh Construction is a Toronto and GTA contractor established in 2013 by founder and CEO Hamed Astaneh. It handles custom homes, full-home renovations, additions, architectural drawings, permits and construction management.
The company calls its approach a “Design Build Method”, with permits included and dedicated project management. It serves Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, Oakville and other GTA cities.
Kitchen Layout Transformations: What Astaneh Offers
Astaneh builds L-shape, U-shape, straight and peninsula kitchens, and plans the structural and mechanical work behind them:
- Moving or removing walls.
- Relocating plumbing.
- Relocating electrical.
Astaneh launched a kitchen cost calculator in 2021.
What Layout Changes Cost
Astaneh publishes kitchen pricing on its own site. These are the figures it lists:
| Cost item | Astaneh range |
|---|---|
| Kitchen renovation overall | About $30,000 to over $150,000 |
| Typical L-shaped kitchen with island | $45,000-$75,000 |
| Wall removal (added cost) | At least $10,000-$15,000 |
| Appliances | $6,000-$55,000 |
Planning callout: The NKBA kitchen planning guidelines cap the work triangle (sink, cooktop, fridge) at 26 feet total, with each leg between 4 and 9 feet. Work aisles should be 42 inches for one cook and 48 inches for more than one.
Permits for Moving Walls in Toronto
The City of Toronto requires a building permit for most layout changes. Its permit guidance says adding or removing walls and installing or modifying plumbing or heating need a permit, while installing cabinetry alone does not.
A layout change usually triggers three separate checks:
- Building permit: required for wall removal and plumbing or heating changes.
- ESA notification: moving outlets for an island triggers an ESA notification, separate from the City permit.
- Renovator licence: ask any contractor for its Building Renovator licence; the City confirms status by email or 311 (licence page).
Strengths and Limitations
Astaneh’s strengths come from transparency:
- Published kitchen and wall-removal cost figures.
- Drawings and permits handled with one point of contact.
- Consistently high ratings on Google, HomeStars and Houzz.
Its limitations concern recency and positioning:
- HomeStars reviews date mostly from 2020, with none after November 2023.
- Its focus has shifted toward custom homes and additions, and kitchens start around $30,000.
4 Alternatives to Astaneh Construction
These four GTA renovators handle layout work differently:
| Company | Best For | Layout and structural work | Published pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Renovation | Best Overall Choice for GTA Kitchen Remodels | 4K 3D renders, permits managed | Kitchen makeovers from $19,900 |
| Sosna | Best for Structured Pre-Construction Planning | 3D renderings, permit handling | Kitchens $50,000-$150,000 |
| Ashton Renovations | Best for Older Toronto Homes | Opens up older-home kitchens | Kitchens from about $55,000 |
| Acon Renovation | Best for Basement-and-Kitchen Combination Projects | Underpinning and waterproofing | None published |
1. Easy Renovation – Best Overall Choice for GTA Kitchen Remodels
Easy Renovation uses in-house 4K 3D renders to test a new layout before any wall comes down. Its trades average 30+ years of experience, and the GTA design-build team has finished 500+ renovation projects across kitchens, bathrooms, condos and whole homes.
Every job runs on one fixed-price, itemized contract with no hidden fees and a dedicated project manager. Kitchen work starts at $19,900, with a roughly three-week build after selections are locked. It also manages permits.
Licensed, WSIB-insured trades do the work, and the company carries $5M liability insurance. Each project includes a 2-year warranty, and a project portal shows daily photo updates.
The BBB rates the firm A+ and lists it as accredited. Paperwork backs it up: RenoMark verification, BILD GTA membership and NKBA membership, all held by Easy Home Renovations Inc.
Houzz reviewers give it 5.0 across 116 reviews on its Houzz profile, which also shows Best of Houzz Service badges for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 87 Google reviewers at the Queensway location average 5.0 (October 2026, Google listing).
“The entire team of contractors were friendly and fantastic. The project took less time than expected and I’d highly recommend Easy Reno for any home improvements.” Zaminah G., on a condo kitchen renovation, in a Google review
A RentalRealEstate roundup ranked Easy Renovation first, citing 4K 3D renders and transparent fixed-price proposals, and Toronto Sun and UrbanToronto have featured the company. Every HomeStars Best of the Best list from 2022 through 2025 includes Easy Renovation.
Standout Features:
- A single itemized price agreed up front, managed by one project manager.
- 3D previews let you test a new layout before demolition.
- Recognized by HomeStars four years running and rated 5.0 on Houzz.
Potential Limitations:
- With feedback scattered over many local Google pages, there’s no single review tally.
- Big custom builds are better handled by a builder working with an architect.
Who Should Consider It: Homeowners who want a kitchen layout change with a fixed price, 3D previews and one team from design to final sign-off.
Get in touch:
Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7
Phone: 416-323-3419
Facebook: facebook.com/easyrenovationcanada
2. Sosna – Best for Structured Pre-Construction Planning
Sosna won a 2026 national award from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association for Best Whole Home Renovation ($300,001-$500,000). Its 10-step process pairs a fixed-price agreement with a dedicated project manager and a site supervisor who works only on your project.
Homeowners can start with a $2,500 plus tax feasibility study, which Sosna credits back if the project goes ahead. Kitchens run $50,000-$150,000.
Standout Features:
- Fixed price and completion date that do not change during construction.
- 5/5 from 65 reviews on HomeStars and 5.0 from 92 on Houzz.
- 2-year warranty on labour and materials.
Potential Limitations:
- Higher price bracket plus paid feasibility and design phases.
- Kitchen timelines run about 3 to 4 months overall.
- Its last HomeStars review is from spring 2025.
Who Should Consider It: Large-budget projects where surprises are the main fear.
Get in touch:
Address: 7250 Keele St, Unit 372, Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
Phone: (416) 888-7366
Instagram: instagram.com/sosna_inc/
3. Ashton Renovations – Best for Older Toronto Homes
Ashton has been a family business since 1995, and it regularly opens up kitchens in older Toronto homes. Opening up such a kitchen typically means a permit, structural changes and updated mechanicals.
HomeStars reviewers rate Ashton 4.9 across 111 reviews, Houzz has named it Best of Houzz 13 times since 2014, and its kitchens start around $55,000.
Standout Features:
- Three decades of Toronto work and several NKBA design awards.
- Accredited designers with living-in-place credentials.
- Published cost and timeline ranges.
Potential Limitations:
- Kitchen budgets begin near $55,000, above several firms on this list.
- Its own estimate for older-home kitchens is 4 to 6 months.
Who Should Consider It: Owners of older homes where a wall removal also triggers wiring, ductwork or plumbing upgrades.
Get in touch:
Address: 160 Royal Crest Court, Markham, ON L3R 0A2 (showroom, by appointment)
Phone: 416-803-3324
Instagram: instagram.com/ashtonrenovations/
4. Acon Renovation – Best for Basement-and-Kitchen Combination Projects
Acon Renovation handles whole-house work, basements, bathrooms and kitchens across Toronto. It reports 15+ years in business, and its basement work includes underpinning and waterproofing.
The company holds 5.0 from 29 reviews on Houzz and Best of Houzz Service for eight straight years, 2019 to 2026.
Standout Features:
- Basement underpinning and kitchen work under one contractor.
- Eight consecutive Best of Houzz Service awards.
Potential Limitations:
- Its kitchen portfolio is thinner than its basement work, so ask for kitchen examples.
- 29 Houzz reviews and no price list.
Who Should Consider It: Homeowners lowering a basement or waterproofing it while also redoing the kitchen above.
Get in touch:
Address: 103 The Queensway, Toronto, ON M6S 5B3
Phone: 647-291-4696
Facebook: facebook.com/AconRenovation/
Kitchen Layout Questions
Do I need a permit to move a kitchen wall in Toronto?
Toronto requires a permit to add or remove walls. The City of Toronto also requires one for plumbing or heating changes, and electrical work needs a separate ESA notification.
Is removing a kitchen wall worth it?
Wall removal adds at least $10,000-$15,000 to a kitchen, based on Astaneh’s published figures, and it needs a building permit. It pays off when the new layout fixes a cramped work triangle.
How long does a kitchen layout change take?
Layout changes usually take longer than a same-footprint refresh. Ashton estimates 4 to 6 months when walls or permits are involved, and Sosna quotes about 3 to 4 months overall.
What warranty should a kitchen renovation include in Ontario?
Ontario homeowners should expect at least a 2-year warranty. RenoMark requires members to offer a minimum 2-year warranty, a written contract and insurance, and Easy Renovation and Sosna both provide 2-year coverage.
What do Astaneh Construction’s Google reviews show?
Astaneh’s Google rating sits at about 4.7 from 144 reviews, per Birdeye in October 2026. It also holds 5.0 on HomeStars and Houzz, though the newest HomeStars review dates from November 2023.
Final Assessment
Astaneh Construction is a capable contractor for kitchen layout changes, with clear pricing, drawings and permits handled through one point of contact, and high ratings on three platforms. Check its recent review activity before you sign.
Easy Renovation suits homeowners who want a GTA kitchen remodel under one fixed-price contract with 4K 3D previews. For a big-budget planned build, an older home or a basement-plus-kitchen job, Sosna, Ashton Renovations and Acon Renovation are the names to call.