How a pandemic-era multi-trade reno turned two first-time renovation clients into lifelong advocates — and what that says about how we work.
⚡ TLDR
Kasper and Claire came to BVM Contracting with a home in Toronto that needed everything done at once — kitchen, electrical, HVAC, bathrooms, front door — during the height of COVID. We delivered a complete multi-trade renovation, navigated a permit process that included a neighbour complaint and late-stage HVAC engineering requirements, and handed over a home Claire described as "absolutely beautiful." Three-plus years later, we're still their first call — and they've sent more than one client our way.
Home Renovation Project Information
Location: 19 Wrenson Road, Toronto, ON
Scope: Full multi-trade renovation — kitchen, full electrical upgrade, new HVAC system, bathrooms (multiple floors), new front door, rear deck
Completed: January 2021
Permit Closed: December 2021
The Project That Started With Everything
Some renovations are targeted. One kitchen. One bathroom. A fresh coat of paint and call it done.
This wasn't that.
When Kasper and Claire brought us into their Toronto home, the scope read like a checklist of every major system a house has: full electrical, a brand new HVAC system, kitchen renovation with new appliances and a proper vent hood, bathroom upgrades on multiple floors including a bidet in the upper bath and a full basement bathroom, and a brand new front door. Oh — and they were doing this during COVID.
This was the kind of project that reveals whether a general contractor can actually manage complexity, coordinate multiple trades, communicate clearly under pressure, and still deliver a home that feels like someone actually cared about every detail. Not just got it done.
We've been doing this since 1997. Complex, multi-trade residential renovation is what we're built for. But we'll admit: 2020 was a year that tested everyone in construction. Supply chains were uncertain. Trades were stretched. Getting materials to site on time required planning well ahead of what pre-pandemic schedules ever demanded. We planned ahead.
Bottom line: Every major project is a coordination test. This one passed.
When the City Has Questions, We Have Answers
Here's something most homeowners don't hear enough: a closed permit is as important as a finished renovation. It's your legal record that the work was done to code. It protects your home value and your insurance. And if it's left open, it becomes your problem — not ours.
The permit path at 19 Wrenson had a few sharp corners. First, partway through the final inspection process, the city inspector flagged that an HVAC engineer drawing was outstanding — specifically related to a sizing change on a return air component. This came in September, well after the physical work had been completed. Our office tracked it down, confirmed it had been addressed, and moved the permit forward.
Then came the neighbour complaint. A neighbouring property submitted a complaint to the City about a gap between the existing brick and the new rear addition. The City's position was that the Senior Inspector had to personally follow up on all complaints before signing off on the permit. Vince went to the site the same day to assess. The gap was on the neighbouring side of the property line. We worked through the process. And when the inspector took another look, his conclusion was clear: the gap was as per plan, not a deficiency.
Kasper's note when the permit cleared: "Seems like our neighbour's complaint was unfounded (not surprised)."
We coordinated the final documentation — structural engineering reports, insulation installer IDs, footing foundation reports — and the permit was officially closed in December 2021.
Bottom line: Permit navigation isn't glamorous, but it's part of what you're paying for — and we don't leave clients holding open permits.
What Kasper and Claire Actually Got
On January 21, 2021, Colleen sent the final invoice. Kasper responded within the hour.
"You guys were a treat to work with, very professional and accommodating to our every need." — Kasper Chmura
That's a sentence worth sitting with. Not because it's a compliment — though it is — but because it came from a couple who had just lived through a full multi-trade reno during a pandemic. These weren't easy circumstances. There were deficiency items to resolve. There were supply delays. There was the stove breaker issue that required our electrician to troubleshoot a GE dual-fuel range with an unusual wiring configuration the appliance company itself took two visits to understand. At every point, our team showed up and worked through it — immediately, with answers and solutions.
"Renovations are always a stressful process but this was by far one of the most well managed and efficient jobs we've experienced. You were all friendly and professional and we are so happy with the final output. Very excited to be in our new home for the new year, so thank you!" — Claire Robbins
Bottom line: The real measure of a renovation isn't the day of handover — it's whether your clients are still proud of the work months later.
The Support That Comes After
Here's where the 19 Wrenson story gets interesting. The same evening we sent the final invoice — January 21, 2021, 8:26 PM — Claire messaged: "Kasper just tried to give you a call but we just walked down to a flood in our basement." Ryan replied thirteen minutes later. Vince was on site first thing the next morning with fans. That wasn't a fluke. That's how we operate.
Over the following three-plus years, the team continued to be Kasper and Claire's first call:
February 2021: Stove breaker tripping — our electrician troubleshot the GE dual-fuel configuration and found a real solution
March 2021: Bidet leak in the upper bathroom — plumber dispatched the next day
March 2022: Snowmelt leaking into the basement while Kasper and Claire were in Aruba — we let ourselves in with their permission, ran fans, and followed up with a full waterproofing assessment
May 2022: Sliding screen door on the rear deck wasn't tracking correctly — we got the manufacturer's service team on it
July 2022: Fridge delivery with a water/ice dispenser hookup the delivery company wouldn't do — we connected them with our plumber
June 2024: Fire alarm units going off in the middle of the night — we diagnosed the cause and sent a step-by-step cleaning guide within hours
None of this was invoiced. None of it was legally required. Every bit of it was the natural consequence of building a real relationship with clients — one where they trust us enough to call, and we trust ourselves enough to show up.
Bottom line: After-care isn't a service line — it's what happens when you actually care about the people whose homes you've touched.
Ready to Start Planning Your Project?
The 19 Wrenson renovation is proof that complex, multi-trade projects — done right, during difficult conditions — produce clients who don't just move on. They refer you. They post reviews. They call you years later when something needs attention. And they trust you enough to send their friends.
If you're looking at a renovation that touches more than one system in your home, the coordination and communication that goes into a project like this is exactly what separates a well-managed renovation from a stressful one.
Book Your Free 20-Minute Project Consultation: Schedule here
📞 647-401-HOME | www.bvmcontracting.com
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When the Second Opinion Became the Only Choice — how choosing the right contractor changes everything
How to Properly Prepare For a Home Renovation — what to know before any major renovation begins
