Urban Studio

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!!

After purchasing our house, we knew there was a lot of work we had to do for our growing family. That included adding a significant extension and remodeling the existing house. I searched long and hard for a contractor because even though I had done remodeling on a previous house, I had never done an addition. It was important to get the right team to help us with this transformation. It was also important to complete the job in a reasonable time And budget. I narrowed my list down to 3 companies and ultimately selected Urban Studio after meeting our Exec Project Mgr - Joseph, visiting one of their job sites, and talking to one of their current customers. Taking on a project this big needs a lot of coordination, re-evaluation as you open up walls, some re-adjustment, good workmanship, and trust.

After 3 months of design & permit approval, then 7 months of construction, I’m very glad we selected the team at Urban Studio. Joseph was very responsive, resolving issues and making adjustments we identified in a timely fashion. He also suggested ideas and designs that we may not have thought about, and ultimately was able to deliver the project on-time even with the pandemic hanging over us. Some of the sub-contractors really stood out to us, like the guys who did the kitchen, the carpenters (framing, floor, all woodwork), electricians, tiles and then Payam, who was such a hard worker who did all the little things throughout and especially at the end as everything came to a close. The team at Urban studio gave us a beautiful home which my family is grateful for, and I’ll definitely recommend them.

Jospeh and the Urban Studio team have been amazing from start to finish. After many meetings with other reno companies that were stressful and unsatisfying, I am so grateful that we saw the Urban Studio billboard in our neighborhood (Leslieville). They were extremely prompt and able to set up a meeting right away. Joseph listened to our plans and added amazing suggestions and ideas. We knew after that first meeting that they were the company for us. Our home is a 3 story semi, and the scope of our renovations included gutting our first and second floors to create completely new layouts and smaller amounts of work to our basement and 3rd floor. The renovations started on March 10, 2020. Within days of demolishing the interior of our home the shelter in place occurred. We were quite worried that work would not be able to continue and there would be delays, however Joseph was reassuring and the Urban Studio team kept working every day despite the supply chain challenges. What could have been extremely stressful wasn't and I have Urban Studio to thank for that. We have recently moved back into our home and the work is stunning. It has been a joy to show our family and friends our new home and to see their excitement about the transformation. Urban Studio pays attention to the details and provides exceptional customer service from start to finish. This is what separates them. Even after the job is complete, Joseph insists that we scan our home for any imperfections, scuffs etc and has his team come and do touch ups (A big thank you to Payam!). I unequivocally recommend Urban Studio and would not hesitate to tell people doing massive projects (or even small ones) to go with them. Thank you to Joseph and the team for all of your guidance and support throughout the process.

Upon purchasing a hundred-year old house in Leslieville, it was clear a solid renovator was needed to help give the house some TLC. Only one bathroom in a three-bedroom house, a small and dated kitchen, an unfinished basement – were just a few of the issues that simply made the house difficult to live in.
After doing some research, we met with the Executive Project Manager (Joseph) for Urban Studio. Their ratings on all relevant platforms were second to none. There were limited opportunities to bring contractors to the house before closing but after meeting with Joseph it was clear that there would be no shopping around necessary. Very quickly Joseph started earning our trust and confidence. On his first visit to the house, he recognized that there was moisture in the basement (something I was unaware of on purchase). As well, he spoke about the importance of permits as opposed to some contractors that may advise that permits are unnecessary. Moreover, his advice was that any of his competitors that advised against permits should not be hired as it was both advisable and necessary to have permits in place for the work being done. In addition to these things that were raised before signing for Urban Studio to complete the work, Joseph has an excellent sense of humour and demeanor which were both important to me. While the project cost and scope were quite large, without shopping the job around, sourcing quotes and information, Urban Studio was clearly the renovator for the job.
One of the things I appreciate about the contract with Urban Studio is the built-in feature to provide financial value to homeowners for not meeting timelines. It was another reason they were chosen as it was clear that they meant to be on-time with the project – something I understand not too be the case for all contractors/projects.
My experience with Urban Studio was solely through the Executive Project Manager. As stated earlier, I found him to have a great sense of humour and demeanor, but his real value is with his great advice, thoughtfulness and understanding. As I stated, the job was a large job and it won’t surprise you that it wasn’t without challenge. However, every step of the way Joseph was there to explain details, provide advice and also to find ways to stay within the budget wherever appropriate. As is the case when opening walls, unforeseen issues can arise and when they did Joseph found solutions that would ensure the house had sound structure and my wallet was not too badly injured.
From a cost perspective, Urban Studio submitted a quote that was in-line with my expectations. As well, when I shared with friends and family the amount of work that was being performed and the price tag associated with the project, all were surprised at how reasonable the cost was. Of course the price did increase during the project but that should be expected when breaking into walls and finding no insulation, inadequate gas connections, etc. However, as mentioned before, the Executive Project Manager made every effort to stay within budget by making suggestions of where cost could be reduced and where other offsets could be identified.
I would be remiss not too mention all the incredible sub-contractors that Urban Studio brought in for the project. They as well shared Joseph’s traits and were very helpful on a regular basis. During the project they would regularly go the extra mile by helping when deliveries would come to the house etc. They were friendly, professional and very good at their crafts. They worked hard, they worked long and they did an amazing job. Thank you to you all.
Now that I have been able to move-in I can say that I am quite satisfied with the work performed. The quality of the craftsmanship is excellent. Moreover, Urban Studios will be coming back to iron out any issues I locate as I settle in. During these troubling times (this was written during the Covid-19 crisis), Urban Studio is not coming back to complete non-urgent work (i.e. cosmetic) and this is something I truly appreciate as we all know how important distance is at this time of increased awareness of social responsibility.

We recently hired Urban Studios to renovate our entire home and the customer service from Joseph has been outstanding. He has helped us by creating a vision for the layout of our home that has gone beyond what we imagined. He has been incredibly invested in keeping each step of the process honest and transparent. He has put in a lot of time and effort to make sure we feel comfortable with the process and to answer any questions. Joseph went above and beyond to help us with extra tasks to help get our house ready for the renovations and is involved every step of the way. Urban Studios makes the process easy by taking care of the permit process and guiding you
through each step in a timely way. I cannot express enough how fortunate I feel to have connected with Joseph and the Urban studios team. Joseph impressed us with his professionalism, and enthusiasm for our project. His openness and transparency throughout the process allowed us to build trust and confidence in the company and allowed the entire process to go over with minimal stress which was so important as this was our first time undergoing renovations to this magnitude.. From the very start, there was a clear difference in the customer service provided compared to other companies we explored. Joseph took ample time to meet with us and go over our vision and any concerns we had for the project. Joseph had an ability to be very tuned in to what we were looking for in terms of changing the entire layout of our home and also respecting our budget needs. The team made so much possible that other companies fell short when discussing the scope of our project. Now that we have moved back in, I cannot imagine having a better outcome with any other company. It is clear that Urban studios is dedicated to integrity and living up to their promises. They have given us our dream home and the transformation of our home is absolutely incredible. Throughout the entire process, Joseph and his team kept in constant contact with us , went above and beyond with our requests and stuck to their timeline in the midst of challenges due to the lockdown. I wholeheartedly endorse this company for the quality, integrity, value for money and customer service they provide.