From lakeside retreats to historic city residences. Franklinbuilt brings expert additions and luxury renovations to every corner of St. Catharines. Let’s grow your home.
The St. Catharines General Contractor Homeowners Can Trust!
St. Catharines is the heart of the Niagara region — a vibrant city where century-old character homes, mid-century bungalows, and bold new developments exist side by side. FranklinBuilt has been serving St. Catharines homeowners with trusted construction and renovation services, delivering results that honour the city’s diverse architectural heritage while embracing contemporary design. Our deep local knowledge means every project is informed by a genuine understanding of St. Catharines’ unique homes, its established neighbourhoods, and the people who live in them.
10+
Years in St. Catharines
200+
Projects Completed
100%
Licensed & Insured
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Our General Contractor Services Available in St. Catharines
Every service is fully managed from initial design through to final inspection.
Home Renovations
St. Catharines is one of Ontario’s most architecturally diverse cities — century homes in Merritton, mid-century bungalows on the west side, and newer builds in the north end all have different renovation requirements. We know these homes well, and our process is built around your home’s specific construction, not a generic template.
Basement Remodelling
Many St. Catharines homes — particularly those built before 1970 — have underused basements with older plumbing rough-ins, low headroom, and block foundation walls. We specialize in maximizing these spaces within those constraints, creating finished suites, rec rooms, and home offices for your family’s real needs.
Bathroom Renovations
From Port Dalhousie character homes to newer builds near Brock University, bathroom renovations in St. Catharines cover every style and budget. We manage the full scope — plumbing, tile, fixtures, lighting, and ventilation — delivering finished bathrooms that add meaningful value at resale.
Garage Remodelling
In St. Catharines’ established neighbourhoods, detached garages are some of the most underutilized assets on a property. We convert them into income-generating secondary suites, professional workspaces, or comfortable additional living areas — all properly permitted through the City of St. Catharines Building Division.
ADU Backyard Structures
St. Catharines’ zoning reforms have made backyard ADU development more accessible than ever. Whether you’re building a garden suite for rental income, a laneway home, or an accessory dwelling for a family member, we manage every step — from zoning review and City permits to final occupancy.
Kitchen Renovations
St. Catharines has a huge number of homes with kitchens that haven’t been touched since the 80s or 90s. We bring those spaces into the present — reconfiguring layouts that never made sense, replacing worn cabinetry and counters, and introducing finishes that transform the busiest room in the house.
What St. Catharines Clients Say
We bought an older brick two-storey in Merritton knowing it needed work. FranklinBuilt helped us prioritize, built out the basement first, then tackled the kitchen the following spring. Having one team that knew the house both times made everything smoother.
Angela M.
Merritton, ON
Our Port Dalhousie home is right by the lake and we wanted to modernize the interior without touching the character of the exterior. FranklinBuilt understood exactly what we were going for. The open-concept main floor they created is stunning.
Nathan B.
Port Dalhousie, ON
FranklinBuilt converted our detached garage into a fully finished backyard suite for my mother-in-law. They handled the City of St. Catharines permit process, structural work, plumbing, and electrical — everything. She moved in six weeks later and loves it.
Linda & Steve P.
St. Catharines, ON
Why St. Catharines Homeowners Choose Us
Neighbourhood-Level Knowledge of St. Catharines
We’ve worked across St. Catharines’ most distinct neighbourhoods — Merritton, Port Dalhousie, Facer Street, the West End, and the North End. Each has its own construction era, housing type, and renovation requirements. That granular local knowledge makes us better on every project.
Experienced with the Garden City's Older Homes
St. Catharines has one of the highest concentrations of pre-1960s housing in Niagara. We’ve renovated hundreds of these older homes — navigating knob-and-tube wiring, plaster walls, cast iron plumbing, and rubble stone foundations — and we know how to do it right.
City of St. Catharines Permit Management
We manage the full permit process with the City of St. Catharines Building Services department, including zoning verification, heritage considerations, ADU approvals, and inspection scheduling. From application to occupancy, we handle it all.
Written Quotes with No Surprises
Every project in St. Catharines begins with a thorough site assessment and a written, itemized quote. We inspect behind walls where possible, identify risk areas upfront, and give you a number you can actually rely on.
One Team, One Project Manager, No Confusion
We coordinate all the trades — framing, plumbing, electrical, tile, and finishing — under one roof. Your project manager is your single point of contact from start to finish, keeping everything on schedule and on budget.
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
St. Catharines homeowners trust us with significant investments. We back that trust with a 10-year workmanship warranty on every project we complete — because we build to a standard we’re proud to stand behind.
FAQ
At FranklinBuilt, we believe a home is a legacy. Whether you’re finishing a basement in a family home, renovating a kitchen in an established neighbourhood, or planning a full home upgrade, our team brings deep local expertise to every project. We understand St. Catharines’ diverse communities, growing residential areas, and the City of St. Catharines’ municipal building requirements.
We’ve compiled these FAQs to help St. Catharines homeowners navigate their renovation journey with confidence.
How much does a home renovation cost in St. Catharines, Ontario?
St. Catharines renovation costs vary significantly by neighbourhood and property age. Kitchen and bathroom renovations typically run $25,000–$80,000. Full home renovations — particularly in older Merritton or Facer Street properties — can range from $80,000 to $200,000+ due to the scope of systems updates often required in pre-1960s homes. We provide a detailed written quote after a thorough on-site assessment that accounts for your home's specific construction.
Do I need a building permit for a renovation in St. Catharines?
Yes — the City of St. Catharines requires permits for most structural renovations, additions, basement conversions, and ADU projects. Heritage properties in areas like Port Dalhousie may also require heritage review. FranklinBuilt manages the entire permit process with the City of St. Catharines Building Services, including all drawings, applications, and inspection scheduling.
Can FranklinBuilt add a legal secondary suite to my St. Catharines home?
Yes. St. Catharines has updated its zoning policies to support gentle densification, making secondary suites and backyard ADUs more accessible than before. We assess your property's eligibility, manage all City of St. Catharines permit approvals, and build secondary suites that meet the Ontario Building Code and St. Catharines' zoning requirements — giving you a legal, insurable unit.
What are the most common renovation projects in St. Catharines?
The most common projects we complete in St. Catharines are basement finishing and secondary suite conversions, kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, and full main-floor transformations in older homes. We also do a significant number of garage conversions in the city's established west-end and Merritton neighbourhoods, where detached garages are common.
How long does a renovation take in St. Catharines?
Bathroom renovations in St. Catharines typically take 2–4 weeks. Kitchens run 4–8 weeks. Basement finishing takes 6–12 weeks depending on scope. Full home renovations or multi-room projects can run 3–7 months. For older St. Catharines homes, we build contingency time into the schedule to account for conditions that are only discovered once walls are opened.
How do I know if a contractor is legitimate in St. Catharines?
Ask for proof of Ontario College of Trades licensing, active WSIB clearance, and a certificate of liability insurance before signing anything. Request references from recent local projects and verify them. Any reputable contractor will provide a written contract and an itemized quote before work begins. FranklinBuilt provides all of the above as standard practice on every St. Catharines project.