SOSNA vs Ashton Renovations vs Easy Renovation: HomeStars Reviews and Full-Service Kitchen Renovations in Toronto Compared
Quick Verdict
- SOSNA: Best for Fixed-Budget Main-Floor and Whole-Home Projects, with 14 Best of Houzz awards and a 5.0 Google rating from 103 reviews.
- Easy Renovation is the Best Overall Full Design and Build Kitchen Renovations in Toronto, backed by four straight HomeStars Best of the Best awards (2022 to 2025) and a BBB A+ rating.
- Ashton Renovations: Best for Older and Century Homes, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 111 HomeStars reviews and holding several NKBA design awards.
- All three firms carry strong review profiles, so the deciding factor is project scope, budget floor and how much of the process you want one team to own.
SOSNA, Easy Renovation and Ashton Renovations all hold strong HomeStars records, but they suit different Toronto kitchens. SOSNA fits large fixed-budget main-floor projects, Easy Renovation fits homeowners who want design and construction under one contract, and Ashton fits older homes.
Toronto homeowners often shortlist contractors by star ratings alone. That approach misses what matters most in a kitchen job: who designs it, who manages the trades, and who answers when an old wall hides a surprise.
This comparison reads each firm's HomeStars presence alongside Google and Houzz data, verified in October 2026. It then looks at what "full-service" should actually include in a Toronto kitchen quote.
How to Read HomeStars Reviews for a Kitchen Contractor
A HomeStars rating measures homeowner satisfaction, but the number alone does not tell the full story. Review volume, recency and the contractor's replies to criticism reveal far more about how a firm behaves under pressure.
Look for reviews that describe kitchen projects of a similar size to yours. A glowing review for a single faucet swap says little about a contractor's ability to remove a load-bearing wall.
Read the one-star and two-star reviews first. A contractor's written response shows whether it explains, deflects or offers a fix, and that tone usually carries into the job itself.
Cross-check every HomeStars profile against Google and Houzz. Consistent ratings across three independent platforms are a stronger trust signal than a perfect score on one.
Award history adds useful context. A firm that wins a platform award several years in a row has kept satisfaction high across many crews, seasons and supply conditions, not just one good year.
HomeStars Snapshot at a Glance
The table below summarizes each firm's review and award profile. Figures were checked on the platforms in October 2026 and will change over time.
| Contractor | Best for | HomeStars signal | Google rating | Houzz rating | Typical job size (Houzz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOSNA | Best for Fixed-Budget Main-Floor and Whole-Home Projects | Best of HomeStars 2014 and 2015 (company-listed) | 5.0 (103) | 5.0 (92) | CAD 150,000 to 300,000 |
| Easy Renovation | Best Overall Full Design and Build Kitchen Renovations in Toronto | Best of the Best 2022 to 2025 | 5.0 (87), Etobicoke listing | 5.0 (116) | CAD 20,000 to 150,000 |
| Ashton Renovations | Best for Older and Century Homes | 4.9/5 from 111 reviews | 4.7 (54) | 4.9 (63) | CAD 15,000 to 200,000 |
1. SOSNA – Best for Fixed-Budget Main-Floor and Whole-Home Projects
SOSNA (Sosna Inc.) is a Vaughan-based design-build renovator that has served the GTA for more than two decades. Its Houzz profile states that projects usually start at $50,000, with typical jobs between $150,000 and $300,000.
The firm openly screens for clients with fixed budgets and firm deadlines. That positioning suits homeowners combining a kitchen with an open-concept main floor, new flooring and structural changes.
SOSNA's kitchen work has drawn industry attention. RenoMark lists a SOSNA kitchen as a 2025 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence finalist in the Best Kitchen Renovation category.
Key Strengths
- A fixed-price quotation system and a published 10-step planning process keep budgets predictable.
- 14 Best of Houzz awards from 2015 to 2026, plus RenoMark accreditation and BILD and CHBA membership.
- A 2-year warranty on labour and materials, according to its Houzz profile.
Factors to Consider
- The $50,000 project floor rules out smaller cosmetic kitchen refreshes.
- Its Vaughan base means downtown Toronto clients should confirm scheduling and site-visit availability.
Ideal For: Families planning a large main-floor or whole-home renovation where the kitchen is one part of a fixed-budget project.
2. Easy Renovation – Best for Full Design and Build Kitchen Renovations in Toronto
Easy Renovation earned the HomeStars Best of the Best Award four years in a row, from 2022 to 2025. That award streak, rather than a single high rating, is the clearest HomeStars signal in this comparison.
The company is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and a member of BILD, RenoMark and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Its trades are WSIB-insured, and every project carries $5 million in liability insurance and a 2-year warranty.
Easy Renovation reports 500+ completed renovation projects across the GTA, with trades averaging 30+ years of experience. Its Etobicoke Google listing at 1460 The Queensway is rated 5.0 from 87 Google reviews, and its Houzz profile shows 5.0 from 116 reviews with Best of Houzz awards from 2021 to 2024.
"From the kitchen to the bathrooms, everything looks absolutely stunning. The team was respectful, on time, and easy to communicate with throughout the process." – Jackie Green, 5/5 star on HomeStars, December 2024.
The company works from one fixed-price, itemized contract. Its in-house team produces 4K 3D renders before demolition, assigns a dedicated project manager, and applies a 48-hour change-order rule.
Easy Renovation has been featured in blogTO, Streets of Toronto, the Toronto Sun and UrbanToronto. A February 2026 blogTO partner feature notes that it handles design, material selection and construction in one process, with kitchens averaging about three weeks.
Key Strengths
- One contract covers design, materials, permits and construction, so homeowners avoid coordinating separate designers and trades.
- Photorealistic 3D renders let you approve the layout before any cabinet is ordered.
- BBB A+, BILD, RenoMark and NKBA credentials, plus a four-year HomeStars award streak.
Factors to Consider
- Easy Renovation operates many Google listings across the GTA, so its review history is spread across several profiles rather than one.
- The fixed-price model routes every mid-project change through a formal change order, which suits planners more than homeowners who like to improvise.
Ideal For: Toronto homeowners who want one accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough on a kitchen-focused project.
3. Ashton Renovations – Best for Older and Century Homes
Ashton Renovations is a Toronto contractor led by Mark Ashton, an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD). The firm has operated for more than 20 years, according to its Houzz profile.
Its HomeStars profile shows 4.9 out of 5 from 111 reviews, the largest HomeStars review count in this comparison. The firm also lists NKBA awards for Best Small Bathroom (2016) and placements in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
One HomeStars reviewer described a kitchen project that ran longer than expected:
"The project began on February 5, 2024, and was completed on August 22, 2024 (nearly 7 months)… There needed to be better coordination between Ashton Renovation and the cabinetry company we were asked to work with." – HomeOwner, 1/5 on HomeStars, October 2024.
In its public reply, Ashton Renovations attributed the timeline to subfloor repairs, asbestos remediation, HVAC changes and cabinet supplier delays.
Many Ashton reviews describe century homes with uneven floors, asbestos remediation and rerouted plumbing. The company states on Houzz that it carries $5 million in liability insurance and is registered with the WSIB.
Key Strengths
- Deep experience with 90-year-old and 100-year-old Toronto houses.
- A designer-led owner who plans layouts before construction begins.
- 13 Best of Houzz awards and a project management platform for client updates.
Factors to Consider
- Older-home projects can uncover hidden conditions, so build a contingency into the budget.
- Coordination with third-party cabinet suppliers needs to be clearly defined in the contract.
Ideal For: Owners of older Toronto homes who want a designer-led contractor comfortable with structural surprises.
What "Full-Service" Should Cover in a Toronto Kitchen Quote
A full-service kitchen quote should name every permit, licence and safety check, not just cabinets and countertops. Missing line items are where budgets usually break.
The City of Toronto requires a building permit for many interior alterations to houses, including removed walls and relocated plumbing. Ask who applies for the permit and who attends inspections.
Electrical work follows a separate track. The Electrical Safety Authority states that a building permit is not the same as an electrical notification, and that a Licensed Electrical Contractor must do electrical work for hire.
Older homes add one more step. Health Canada advises hiring a professional to test for asbestos before renovating, since materials installed before 1990 may contain it.
Finally, check the contractor's licence. Toronto requires a Building Renovator licence for businesses that repair or renovate buildings, including those that advertise renovation services.
If your project also touches a bathroom, this Toronto bathroom renovation comparison covers how firms handle waterproofing and fixture scope.
Warning Signs to Watch for in Customer Reviews and Renovation Quotes
Warning signs usually appear in the paperwork before they appear on site. Watch for these patterns while comparing all three firms:
- Vague allowances. A quote that lists "cabinets: allowance" without specifications leaves room for large price jumps.
- No written estimate in the contract. Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, a final price generally cannot exceed an included estimate by more than 10% unless you agree to new work or a new price.
- Large upfront deposits. Ontario warns homeowners never to be pressured into a large down payment "to pay for materials."
- Defensive review replies. A contractor that argues with every critic may also argue with you.
- Unclear supplier responsibility. Decide in writing who manages cabinet delivery dates and installation errors.
Toronto Kitchen Renovation FAQs
How long does a full kitchen renovation take in Toronto?
Timelines depend on scope, permits and cabinet lead times. A blogTO partner feature reports that Easy Renovation's kitchens average about three weeks, while one SOSNA reviewer describes a whole-home interior project that took about four months.
Is HomeStars or Google more reliable for contractor reviews?
Neither platform is reliable on its own. Compare the same firm on HomeStars, Google and Houzz, and trust patterns that repeat across all three.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets?
Permit needs depend on scope. Removing walls or relocating plumbing usually triggers a permit, so confirm the exact scope with Toronto Building before work starts.
How many quotes should I get for a Toronto kitchen?
Ontario recommends getting written estimates from at least three contractors. Give each firm the same layout, cabinet specifications and appliance list so the quotes are comparable.
What should a kitchen renovation warranty cover?
A warranty should cover both labour and materials for a stated period. SOSNA and Easy Renovation each list a 2-year warranty, so ask Ashton Renovations for its written terms.
Final Verdict
SOSNA, Easy Renovation and Ashton Renovations each earn their reputations, but they serve different homeowners. SOSNA leads for large fixed-budget main-floor projects, and Ashton leads for century homes that need a designer's eye.
Easy Renovation stands out for Toronto homeowners who want one accountable team, a fixed-price contract and a four-year HomeStars award streak behind them. Request itemized quotes from each firm, compare them line by line, and choose the team whose process fits your kitchen.