--- title: "Carter Fox Design Build — General Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/carter-fox-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847369678 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~847369678.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Carter Fox Design Build" category: ["General Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a403f7c50240643f_5822-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "530 Queens Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2, Canada" latitude: 43.6323 longitude: -79.3539 phone: "(416) 791-0543" website: http://www.carter-fox.com rating: 5 review_count: 22 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 1 last_updated: 2026-08-16 --- # Carter Fox Design Build Original Houzz profile: [Carter Fox Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/carter-fox-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847369678) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** General Contractors - **Location:** Toronto, ON - **Serves:** Cabbagetown, Corktown, East Danforth, East York, Greenwood Coxwell, Leslieville, Old Toronto, Pape Village, Port Lands, Riverdale, The Beaches, Toronto, Upper Beaches, Woodbine Racetrack - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (22 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2021), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Family owned - References available Toronto Downtown, Leslieville, Riverdale, East York, The Beaches \- Carter Fox specializes in additions and major whole-home renovations to older Toronto homes. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - General Contracting - Home Additions - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Extensions - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Garage Building - Home Restoration - Project Management - Multigenerational Homes - Energy-Efficient Homes - Green Building - House Framing - Demolition - Tiny House Construction - Sustainable Design - Modular Home Additions - Structural Engineering - Modular Home Construction - Site Preparation - Additions - Construction Management - Design Build - Gut Renovations - Remodeling - Renovations ### Areas Served - Cabbagetown - Corktown - East Danforth - East York - Greenwood Coxwell - Leslieville - Old Toronto - Pape Village - Port Lands - Riverdale - The Beaches - Toronto - Upper Beaches - Woodbine Racetrack ### Typical Job Cost CAD $150,000 - 500,000 All our projects costs are pre determined through a detailed customer budget. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Carter Fox Design Build | | Address | 530 Queens Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 1V2, Canada | | Phone | (416) 791-0543 | | Website | http://www.carter-fox.com | | License Number | T85-4809618 | | Followers on Houzz | 1 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Carter Fox Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/carter-fox-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847369678) - **Website:** http://www.carter-fox.com - **Phone:** (416) 791-0543 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2021), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 22 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 45.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Laurie Carmichael, May 2025** > James planned and led a gut main floor reno of our 100 year old Toronto semi in summer/fall 2022. Renos are always stressful but so much less so when you’re working with someone you trust. Good, practical, honest advice throughout. A few of the tradespeople he regularly works really went above and beyond for us too - pitching in to troubleshoot issues beyond their own role. We also really appreciated the push to make sure we got back in before Christmas. **★★★★★ — Janice Turner, Sept. 2021** > James and his amazing team renovated our home in the fall of 2020. A complete kitchen renovation, an addition of an office/bedroom above the kitchen and new flooring through out the main floor. We are thrilled with the results! James was efficient, professional, honest and a nice guy to work with. We could not be happier with the finished project and highly recommend him and his team! **★★★★★ — Frances, July 2021** > Carter-Fox completed two whole home renovations. The most recent was an income property that was transformed from an old derelict semi to a beautiful updated home with all the modern amenities. James and the crew made the process smooth. I would definitely hire Carter-Fox again and I have already referred them many times! **★★★★★ — jchakungal, Dec. 2020** > Working with Carter Fox has been a great experience. You’ll never find another contractor who is more genuine and honest than James. Right from the beginning, we felt that he cared about our project, our home, and even our family. He was the only person who provided us a quote that was within reach of what we could afford, and it even made room for us to redo our kitchen. Throughout the course of the project, things that we realized we wanted— from removing old flooring on the second floor, to partially vaulting the third floor ceiling, to building a steam shower— he figured out a way to make them happen for us. > > As clients, we were able to be a big part of the project, which was important for us. We worked closely with James and his tradespeople to ensure that things progressed on schedule as much as possible and that the personalized touches we wanted were included. > > He has great relationships with all of the trades people who work with him and they all do excellent work. > > As with all renos, issues popped up from time to time, but we were always able to work through them and find solutions that worked for everyone > > Overall we would highly recommend Carter-Fox to anyone who is looking for a contractor for a major (or minor) reno. It has been such a pleasure to work with them and now we have the house of our dreams! **★★★★★ — Paul Draffin, Dec. 2020** > James, Andy and Mike of Carter Fox were great! From the outset when I called James he was prompt in returning my call and scheduled an appointment a few days later to review the scope of work. Carter Fox demolished our kitchen, including re-insulating, air barrier and drywall replacement of an exterior facing wall. They tore down cabinets and prepped both electrical and water revisions. Following install of cabinets by the cabinet maker, the guys from Carter Fox were quick to return to finish painting, molding install, attended the kitchen stone install and ensured we were happy at project end. James was good to his word on his initial quote and never mentioned cost again. We couldn't be happier with the way our kitchen turned out. Please see Annex transitional kitchen photos on the Carter Fox home page in Houzz. Many Thanks, Paul **★★★★★ — HU-426343413, Dec. 2020** > 6 years ago, we bought a house that needed a full reno. It was a massive project remodelling the whole house, with a side addition and a 3rd storey. When we found Carter Fox, we immediately had a good feeling about James. He is polite, respectful, friendly, helpful, and an overall good guy. He worked with our vision instead of trying to push his own ideas. He helped us find the right architect to turn our vision into actual plans and worked with us to get us exactly what we wanted. It was a long process getting the plans just right as there were complications along the way, but James was with us the whole way (6 years and he never gave up on us or got tired of us!) and was ready to get started as soon as the permits were ready. When the time came, Julie even helped us clear out our house so that we could start work on time. > > Once demo started, the project progressed at a good steady pace as James made sure all the trades at every stage were lined up and ready to go. All his trades love working with him and work hard for him. James was also able to make many good suggestions and offer great ideas along the way, both to solve problems we encountered and to improve on the existing plans. It was great being able to bounce ideas and get his expert opinion and advice. James got our dream home ready as promised, on budget, and on time before virtual school started for our kids in September! Thanks James & Julie! **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks Adeline! It was truly a pleasure working with you - after so many years of planning and tweaking, it is so great to see your vision transformed into a reality. You have created a fantastic space that is perfectly suited to your family, and we're happy to have been part of the process. All the best! **★★★★★ — Krystina Patton, Dec. 2020** > We did a full house, top to bottom renovation with Carter Fox and couldn't be happier. > In 2019, we bought our first home; a 100+ year old semi that was in need of some modernization. However, the idea of what you might find behind the walls of a house that old was a little terrifying, so we did a fair bit of research trying to find reputable contractors that were skilled in that area. After interviewing 10 GCs and renovation companies, we settled on James from Carter Fox. His obvious knowledge and to-the-point communication gave us confidence and put us at ease. > Right from the beginning, it was obvious that James had a clear plan to make our dreams a reality, and was able to give accurate assessments of timelines and costs. The subcontractors and trades people James employed were wonderful and skilled, and the suppliers he recommended were fantastic. > With my husband and I being newbies to both home ownership and renovation, James did a fair bit of handholding. He walked us though the process step by step, assessed our needs and wants, and kept us updated on progress throughout the renovation. He was always available to answer questions and address concerns. > While there were a few bumps along the way (pretty sure this is inevitable... really, does any big project go exactly as planned?), James was always on top of them and found a solution. I would recommend James to friends and family without reservation. **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks Krystina - you were our favourite kind of client: clear ideas about what you wanted and concise communicators! We love the fresh new look of your home and are glad you were able to settle back in prior to the lockdown. Thanks for taking time to write a detailed review. Wishing you all the best in your beautiful home! **★★★★★ — gerardbouteau, Nov. 2020** > The charm of an old house where straight lines and angles are out of shape become a challenge when you want the bathroom tiled floor to ceiling with black and white details > It takes real professional to finalize that kind of project and Carter Fox did, the result is wahhhh > Thank you **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thankyou for taking the time to write a review, Gerard. While we don't typically do stand-alone bathroom jobs, we were attracted by the challenge and beauty of this project. We think it looks fantastic - enjoy! **★★★★★ — Kate Lewis, Feb. 2020** > After interviewing several contractors for our main floor reno, we were happy to find James at Carter-Fox. Our goal was to have a new kitchen that fit seamlessly into our home. James’ experience working in older homes was invaluable as we planned out how our wish-list could be realized given the constraints of our home, our budget and our overall vision. This was a big project for us, and James provided excellent advice, brought in reliable tradespeople, and guided the project to completion. He was clear up front about costs, and handled the inevitable surprises of any project with professionalism. We are delighted with the outcome. **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks Kate! It was fun figuring out how to realize your vision and stay within budget. We're glad that you're happy with both the results and the process. Thanks very much for taking the time to review us. Enjoy your new space - it looks fantastic! **★★★★★ — Mario Bartolozzi, Dec. 2019** > We had a wonderful experience with Carter For. They were professional, very clear in describing what and how they were going to do their work and then executed it with care and excellence. We were impressed with the care and the extra touches they put in, it was as if they were working on their own house. They provided creative ideas and worked closely with our designer. They delivered the house of our dreams! And, they delivered it on budget. **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks Mario! It was great working with you and watching your dream home unfold - what a transformation! May you enjoy many happy years in your new space. **★★★★★ — Robert Orlovski, Sept. 2019** > After 10 years living with doors that didn’t shut, squeaky floors and a smallish kitchen, we finally moved to turn our 110-year-old detached Leslieville home into the space we always desired. After some research and speaking with a bunch of positive references, we hired Carter Fox Renovations to take on the whole home project. > > The scope of the renovation included new subfloors, engineered hardwood floors, new trim, kitchen, staircase, doors, electrical and HVAC. From the get go, we knew we had made the right choice. The team at Carter Fox were super helpful with planning/sourcing materials, focused on our project and it's timelines, and quick to find solutions. Demo started when they said it would and the project just ran so smoothly from that point forward. James was there at every critical moment to keep up momentum, calling the right trades in at the right times. Hand-offs between his crew and the kitchen cabinet and flooring suppliers were seamless which spoke to the integrity of work being done. > > The Carter Fox crew clearly understand old Leslieville houses and what to expect when you start working on them - this knowledge was helpful on many occasions. They are also good people who are nice to be around and have in your home. I particularly enjoyed coming to the house at the end of my workday and being walked around proudly to review the progress being made. We are already planning our next project with Carter Fox and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a contractor. **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks very much Rob - it was a pleasure working with you and seeing your vision unfold. We are thrilled that you were so happy with the process as well as the results, and look forward to working with you again. Enjoy your beautiful new space! > ~ The Carter Fox Renovations team **★★★★★ — HU-919649464, April 2019** > Thank you James and Julie for making our first home our dream home! We bought a home that was fully occupied by tenants and needed to be completely transformed into our family home. I have strong creative opinions and can be particular about the way things look; James was always patient and offered great solutions to some of the challenges that were faced. This project felt like a collaboration of minds, and James was always readily available by phone to bounce ideas and discuss, that’s what I loved about working with him, his attentiveness and client relations is impeccable and hard to find in this business. His craftenmenship was top notch and the vendors he uses are professional and trustworthy. When something didn’t go according to plan, he was right there with solutions and went the extra mile to make us happy. We love all of our finishes, and everyone that comes into our house is amazed by the work. We would highly recommend Carter Fox! Thanks friends! **Comment from Carter Fox Design Build:** > Thanks very much for the kind words Colleen - it was truly a pleasure working with you and we are thrilled with the results. Your vision for the overall design right down to every detail made our job easy. Your place looks fantastic - wishing you and your family health and happiness in your new home. ## Selected projects - [Leslieville Semi: 2nd Floor Rear Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leslieville-semi-2nd-floor-rear-addition-pj-vj~7731592) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - Description: Carter Fox Design Build was contracted to build a 2nd-floor rear addition to house a home office, as well as remodel the main floor. This included new maple hardwood flooring and a funky new kitchen. The Leslieville Kitchens -designed space was guided by the homeowner, an artist with a love of fun and colour. - [Gerrard-Coxwell Whole Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gerrard-coxwell-whole-home-pj-vj~5663862) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 20 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations was hired to do a complete renovation of this semi-detached home in the Gerrard-Coxwell neighbourhood of Toronto. The main floor was completely gutted and transformed - most of the interior walls and ceilings were removed, a large sliding door installed across the back, and a small powder room added. All the electrical and plumbing was updated and new herringbone hardwood installed throughout. Upstairs, the bathroom was expanded by taking space from the adjoining bedroom.… - [East York Semi: 3rd Floor Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-york-semi-3rd-floor-addition-pj-vj~6411275) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: How do you squeeze a soaker tub, steam shower, walk-in closet, large master bedroom, and a private study into the renovation of a 2-story East Danforth semi? By going UP! For this project, the homeowner had a firm budget and didn't dream it could include a new kitchen as well as the 3rd-floor addition. With some creative solutions and our experience remodeling older homes, Carter Fox delivered an open-concept light-filled home that preserved several original elements in order to save budget for… - [Riverside Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riverside-bathroom-pj-vj~6425540) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: This stunning black and white Riverside bathroom pays homage to its Victorian roots. Carter Fox collaborated with the homeowner on different tile layouts and ultimately came up with a solution that perfectly suited their taste and the layout of the room. We managed to fit a lot into a small footprint: a soaker tub with a marble surround and full stand-up glass shower, 4-foot vanity, and a wall-mount toilet. The colour scheme, room height and floor-to-ceiling tile lend a sense of luxury. - [Riverdale Whole Home Reno](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riverdale-whole-home-reno-pj-vj~6429706) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: This Riverdale semi-detached whole home renovation features some of the most frequently requested upgrades from Carter Fox clients: open-concept living, more light, a new kitchen and a more effective solution for the entry area. To deliver this wish list, we removed most of the interior walls on the main floor, upgraded the kitchen, and added a large sliding glass door across the back wall. We also built a new wall separating the entrance and living room, and built in a custom bench seat and sto… - [East York Whole Home Reno](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-york-whole-home-reno-pj-vj~6558793) - Location: Toronto, Ontario - Photos: 2 - Description: This East York whole home renovation was our second project with this client. After completing a top-to-bottom renovation of their main home following a fire, Carter Fox was tasked with turning their dated family semi-detached home into a modern income property. The goal was to create an attractive, functional, and durable space without breaking the bank. - [Annex Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/annex-kitchen-pj-vj~5993439) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 6 - [Cabbagetown Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabbagetown-bathroom-pj-vj~5915276) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 6 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations was hired to remodel this outdated and oddly laid out Cabbagetown master bathroom. The update included a complete reconfiguration from two disjointed rooms to a fully contained and spacious bathroom and a separate closet area, all within the original footprint. The result is a beautiful and highly functional space. - [Danforth Open Concept Semi](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/danforth-open-concept-semi-pj-vj~3515463) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations was hired to do a total gut job on this 100-year old East Toronto semi-detached home. On the main floor we opened up the space, removed all the original finishes and installed all new hardwood flooring, electrical and plumbing. Upstairs we reconfigured the bathroom, installed hardwood throughout, restored the original plaster ceilings and walls and painted the entire space. The clients are thrilled with their new space - especially the kitchen-focused main floor, which fea… - [Leslieville Whole Home Refresh](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leslieville-whole-home-refresh-pj-vj~5900989) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - [Leslieville Victorian](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leslieville-victorian-pj-vj~5376784) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: Carter Fox was hired to finish the basement and remodel the 2nd floor bathroom in this impeccably decorated Leslieville Victorian row house. The bathroom features a gorgeous custom built walnut vanity and large walk-in shower to replace the under-utilized bathtub. The previously unfinished basement now houses a bathroom/laundry combo and a recreational space with white-washed exposed beams to maximize height and minimize expense. - [Riverdale Main Floor Reno](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riverdale-main-floor-reno-pj-vj~6039873) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations executed this reno of a semi-detached home in the Riverdale neighbourhood of Toronto. The main focus was the kitchen, and the goal was to open it up, pack in a big wish list, and maintain the feel of the rest of the house. This front-to-back renovation included a new kitchen, new hardwood, a new, enlarged entrance at the back (custom french doors with a transom) and new exterior siding and hardscaping in the backyard. The client was thrilled with the outcome. - [Wychwood Park Accessible Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wychwood-park-accessible-bathroom-pj-vj~3008698) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 9 - Description: For this Wychwood Park complete bathroom rebuild, Carter Fox was hired to create a functional, accessible bathroom that did not look institutional or boring. We opened up the original powder room/tub room layout, removing the interior doors to allow adequate space to maneuver, and created a wheelchair-accessible curbless shower room with a second sink (re-purposing the original) at bench height. Our clients are thrilled to have a stunning new bathroom that accommodates their changing lifestyle a… - [Leslieville Semi Open Concept](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leslieville-semi-open-concept-pj-vj~2919250) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 18 - [Beaches Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beaches-kitchen-pj-vj~5982542) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 4 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations worked with Leslieville Kitchens to prepare for the install of this beautiful new kitchen in the Beach neighbourhood of Toronto. This was our third project with this client following our 2017 Beaches Basement Conversion and 2017 Beaches Master Bathroom projects. - [Caroline Whole Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/caroline-whole-home-pj-vj~2711381) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: For this Leslieville semi-detached whole house renovation, the Carter Fox team removed all interior main floor walls to create a stunning open concept living space. The client's clean, contemporary style was impeccably captured by Lisa Lev Designs. Fantastic lighting and art compliment this simple, open space where the family with two young children can now enjoy several activities simultaneously. Defining the entrance, a new wall was built featuring a niche with a simple, low-profile bench and… - [Beaches 3rd Floor Master Bath & Laundry](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beaches-3rd-floor-master-bath-and-laundry-pj-vj~3352389) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 16 - Description: This Toronto Beaches master bath remodel involved a complete redesign of the 3rd floor. Carter Fox expanded the bathroom and converted an unused bedroom to create a walk-in closet with laundry facilities. This beautiful client-designed space features a mixture of black and brass fixtures, a black-and white cement tile floor and a beautiful soft pink accent door. The Carter Fox team also installed a new 3rd floor HVAC system, refurbished the floating staircase and painted the entire interior. - [Coady Whole Home Reno](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coady-whole-home-reno-pj-vj~5614201) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 11 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations did a complete remodel of this Leslieville home. Our experience in renovating older Toronto semis paid off in this house where we were required to renovate every aspect from re-engineering crooked floors to taming an underground stream below the basement. The main floor was reconfigured to make the kitchen its centrepiece, featuring a gorgeous blue island with maximized capacity - sink, dishwasher, microwave, recycling and ample storage all contained in a modest footprint.… - [Jones Whole Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jones-whole-home-pj-vj~2280253) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 17 - Description: This Leslieville whole home renovation was a great project to work on, and tells a good story as well. Not only was it a dramatic transformation of a former rooming house into a custom home for a family of six, but it was completed on a tight timeline and moderate budget. These repeat clients, who were quickly growing out of their 2-story semi, spent several months searching for a new home. With deep roots in the community, the challenge was to find a bigger house in the neighbourhood within the… - [Beaches Basement Conversion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beaches-basement-conversion-pj-vj~2952714) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - Description: Carter Fox Renovations was hired to convert this Toronto Beaches home back to a single-family dwelling. The homeowners wished to reclaim the space that had been isolated from the rest of the house by a basement apartment with a completely separate entrance. The living room wall was opened up near the rear door to regain access to the basement. In addition to entryway tile work and updating the exterior door to a full window pane, we updated the lighting, plumbing, flooring and walls. The clients… [See all 32 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/carter-fox-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847369678) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*