Frequently asked questions.

We serve the entire Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Aurora, Newmarket, Milton, Oakville, Whitby, and Oshawa. If your project is within a reasonable distance of the GTA, reach out and we will let you know.

Send us your plans through our contact page or email them to info@northstarforming.ca. We review the drawings, calculate material and labour, and send you a detailed estimate. There is no charge and no obligation for the quote.

Timelines vary by project type. A garden suite foundation can take 1 to 2 weeks. A standard custom home is 2 to 5 weeks. Multiplexes range from 3 to 5 weeks. We provide a project-specific timeline before work begins so you can coordinate the rest of your build.

We quote per project based on the scope of work shown in the drawings. Our quotes are detailed and itemized so you know exactly what you are paying for. We do not do hourly billing and we do not add surprise charges. The price we quote is the price you pay, unless the scope changes.

Yes. We carry comprehensive general liability insurance and full WSIB coverage for every crew member on every job. We can provide certificates of insurance to your builder or lender upon request.

Permits are handled by your builder or architect. Our scope starts once the site is excavated and surveyors have placed the pins. We build the foundation exactly to the approved structural drawings.

Weather delays are part of construction in the GTA. We monitor forecasts closely and plan pours accordingly. If a delay is necessary, we communicate it immediately and adjust the schedule. We never pour in conditions that would compromise quality.

Yes, you are welcome to visit the site. We ask that you coordinate with us or your builder beforehand for safety reasons. Our foremen are happy to walk you through the progress and answer any questions on-site.

Most custom home foundations take 1 to 2 weeks from footing to strip, depending on the size and complexity. A standard single-family home is usually closer to 1 week. We provide a timeline before we start so you can plan the rest of your build accordingly.

We have poured foundations from 800 sq ft garden-level builds up to 6,000+ sq ft estate homes. If it has footings and walls, we can form it. Bring us your plans and we will give you a straight answer on scope and timeline.

Yes. Walk-out and look-out basement foundations require careful step-down forming and grading coordination. We have done plenty of these across lots with significant slope, particularly in Milton and Aurora.

No. We specialize in traditional aluminum forming for poured concrete foundations. ICF is a different trade and we prefer to stay in our lane and do what we are best at.

Yes. We carry comprehensive general liability insurance and full WSIB coverage for every crew member on every job. Your builder and lender can count on it.

Typically 1 to 2 weeks depending on the number of units and lot conditions. A straightforward 3-unit on a flat lot is closer to 1 week. A larger 4-unit with stepped footings on a slope may take the full 2 weeks.

Permits are handled by your builder or architect. Our scope starts after the site is ready and surveyors have placed the pins. We build the foundation exactly to the approved drawings.

Yes, and we do it regularly. Sloped lots require stepped footings and careful elevation management. We have built multiplex foundations on slopes across Scarborough, North York, and Richmond Hill.

We follow the structural engineer's specification, which is typically 25 to 32 MPa for residential multiplexes. The mix design is always matched to the load requirements of the specific project.

Setback requirements vary by municipality. In Toronto, the typical rear yard setback is 1.5 metres, with side yard setbacks depending on the zone. We recommend checking with your architect or city planner for the exact requirements on your lot.

Yes. Laneway access is common for garden suites and we have the experience to work within narrow corridors. We coordinate pump trucks and material delivery to make it work, even on the tightest sites.

We have formed garden suite foundations as small as 400 sq ft. The process is the same as a larger build, just scaled to fit. Smaller does not mean less attention to detail.

Not necessarily. Many garden suites use slab-on-grade or crawl space foundations depending on the design and municipal requirements. We can form any of these configurations.

Most garden suite foundations take 1 to 2 weeks from footing to strip. The smaller footprint means fewer forming days, but access logistics can add time on tight sites.

It depends on the engineer's specification. Common methods include dowelling into the existing foundation with epoxy-set rebar, using mechanical connectors, or forming a cold joint with proper keyway detail. We follow whatever the structural drawings call for.

We monitor the existing wall throughout the forming process. If there are any concerns about the existing foundation's condition, we flag them before proceeding. Our forming work is designed to tie in without compromising what is already there.

Yes. The new footings must sit at the same depth as the existing ones to prevent differential settlement. We verify this before forming begins and again during the footing pour.

Most extension foundations take 1 to 2 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the tie-in. A simple rear addition is closer to 1 week. A larger L-shaped or wrap-around addition may take the full 2 weeks.

A standard garage or workshop slab is 4 inches thick with thickened edges at 8 to 12 inches. If you are parking heavy equipment or vehicles, the engineer may specify 6 inches throughout. We follow the structural requirements for your specific use.

It depends on the municipality and the size. Small shed pads often do not require a permit, but garage slabs and workshop floors usually do. Your builder or contractor handles the permit process. Our scope starts when the site is ready for forming.

Control joints are the primary defense. We cut them at regular intervals so that any shrinkage cracking happens along the joints where it is not visible. Proper base compaction, reinforcement, and curing also reduce random cracking.

We can, but winter pours require heated blankets and additives to protect the concrete during curing. This adds cost, so we recommend pouring in warmer months when possible. If your schedule requires a winter pour, we will make it work.

Most porch rebuilds take 4 to 7 days from demolition to completion. A simple set of front steps can be done in 2 to 3 days. We will give you an exact timeline after reviewing the scope.

Properly built concrete steps with below-frost-line footings should not crack from frost heave. Surface scaling can happen if salt is used on uncured concrete, which is why we recommend waiting one full winter before applying de-icing products.

We can adjust the finish, dimensions, and proportions to complement your home's style. We have done everything from modern clean-line entries to heritage-style Victorian porches in downtown Toronto.

We form the railing post pockets into the concrete so that metal or wood railings can be installed by others. If you need railing installation as well, we can recommend trusted trades.

In most Toronto-area municipalities, a permit is required for porch work that changes the size or footprint. Your builder or contractor handles the permit process. We start work once the site is ready.