Leaside's tight-knit streets are lined with 1940s–1960s brick bungalows and two-storey homes that families are transforming top-to-bottom — and Kopman Build's integrated design-build model is the most efficient way to do it. One team. One contract. No gap between what the drawings show and what gets built.
Leaside is one of Toronto's most active renovation markets. The neighbourhood's mid-century brick bungalows sit on well-proportioned lots that are ideal for second-storey additions — and converting a bungalow to a full two-storey home is exactly the kind of complex, multi-trade project where design-build delivers the clearest advantage. When design and construction are managed separately, cost overruns and scope disputes between architect and contractor are routine. Under our model, they are not.
Kopman Build brings 25 years of experience managing major residential projects in Toronto to every Leaside engagement. Dustin Kopman founded the company in 1999 after growing up in his family's construction business, and that background means every project is led by someone who understands the craft, not just the contract.
Three things that matter specifically in Leaside: the brick construction of most homes requires careful structural assessment before adding a second storey; the neighbourhood's mature tree canopy means site logistics and protection plans need to be built into the project from the design stage; and Leaside's active renovations market means trades are in high demand — our long-standing relationships with top subcontractors give our clients priority scheduling.
Leaside's signature project type — structural design, permit, and full construction of a second storey on an existing brick bungalow, delivered as a single scope.
Complete gut renovations of Leaside's 1940s–1960s homes, with updated structure, MEP systems, insulation, and finishes from foundation to ridge.
Single-storey and two-storey rear additions designed to complement existing brick exteriors and delivered under one coordinated contract.
Integrated design and construction for kitchen and bathroom renovations, with trade coordination and permit management included.
Basement underpinning, lowering, and full finishing — common in Leaside's older stock — managed as a design-build scope with engineering included.
Leaside lots that qualify for laneway or garden suite intensification, designed and built to City of Toronto standards under one contract.
We visit your Leaside property, assess the existing structure, and document the project in writing — scope, budget, and timeline.
A detailed line-item estimate with allowances and contingencies, so you know the number before committing.
We manage all permit applications with the City of Toronto, structural engineering, and approvals — nothing falls through the cracks.
Full-time site supervision, weekly updates, and open-book cost tracking throughout the project.
Structured handover with all documentation, warranties, and a 12-month attendance window post-completion.
Yes — it is one of the best approaches for mid-century brick stock. These homes often reveal surprises once walls are opened: outdated wiring, cast-iron plumbing, or non-standard framing. Having design and construction under one team means those discoveries are absorbed and resolved quickly, without disputes between your architect and your contractor over who is responsible for the cost.
A full second-storey addition on a Leaside bungalow typically involves removing the existing roof structure, engineering new load-bearing walls and floor systems, adding the second floor, and then re-roofing the whole home. Permits, structural engineering, and architectural drawings are all required. Kopman Build manages the complete scope as a single design-build engagement — from design and permit through construction and handover.
A typical bungalow-to-two-storey conversion in Leaside runs six to ten months from permit issuance to occupancy, depending on scope and finish level. The design-build model compresses this timeline by eliminating the gap between design completion and construction start — we are planning procurement and sequencing while permits are in review, not after they are issued.
Yes. We manage all permit applications with the City of Toronto, coordinate the structural engineer and any required consultants, and track approval status throughout. Leaside falls within Toronto's standard permit jurisdiction, and we are familiar with the zoning bylaws and setback requirements that apply to the neighbourhood's residential lots.
Kopman Build's design-build model serves Leaside and greater Toronto. No-obligation consultation.
Request a Consultation