CSG Renovation vs Unit Modeler vs Raven Reno & Condo: Layout Changes, Condo Specialization and Project Management Compared
Key Takeaways
- CSG Renovation leads the three on high-rise building logistics, with a City of Toronto renovator licence and a 3-year workmanship warranty.
- Easy Renovation is the alternative to weigh first: Best Overall Turnkey Condo Project, with an in-house engineer, a fixed-price contract and a BBB A+ rating.
- Unit Modeler offers the biggest condo track record on paper, reporting 4,000+ units completed.
- Raven Reno & Condo is best for itemized quotes on mixed scopes such as a kitchen, bathroom and flooring in one job.
- Moving a sink, adding a circuit or removing a wall usually needs both written board approval and a City permit.
CSG Renovation is the strongest of the three for a layout change inside a high-rise, because it combines condo-board coordination, licensing and a written workmanship warranty. Unit Modeler wins on condo volume, Raven Reno & Condo on transparent mixed-scope quotes, and Easy Renovation is the alternative to call for a turnkey project.
Layout work is where condo renovations go wrong most often. A partition wall can usually move; a concrete column, a plumbing stack or a shared vent cannot, and only a contractor who reads the building drawings first will tell you which is which.
No firm in this article paid to appear, and we earn nothing from anyone who hires them.
What a Condo Layout Change Can and Cannot Include
A condo layout change reshapes the space inside your unit boundaries, but the building decides how far it can go. Moose Condo Reno's CEO told The Canadian Press in 2026 that the rest can be redesigned only if concrete walls, reinforced slabs and support columns stay untouched.
The Condominium Authority of Ontario adds that changes affecting structural integrity, the governing documents or other owners' safety are not likely to be approved. It also lists permits for structural, plumbing and electrical changes as a typical municipal requirement.
1. When the change touches common elements
Some walls and pipes belong to the corporation, not to you. Ontario's Condominium Act, 1998 (section 98) lets an owner alter common elements only after the board approves it by resolution and the owner signs an agreement with the corporation.
That agreement is usually registered and paid for by the owner. A contractor who has handled one before will flag the requirement at the walkthrough, not after demolition.
2. What layout work tends to cost
HomeStars notes that structural changes like wall removals and layout reconfigurations cost more per square foot than cosmetic or functional updates, and that permits for this kind of work typically run $400 to $2,500. Easy Renovation's own published range for structural wall removal is $8,000 to $25,000+.
A Closer Look at the Three Contractors
1. CSG Renovation
CSG Renovation has built its pitch around high-rise rules: elevator bookings, noise windows, hallway protection and board paperwork. It holds a City of Toronto Building Renovator licence (T85) and lists 18+ years of downtown and midtown Toronto experience.
Two written commitments set it apart. CSG offers a 3-year workmanship warranty and pledges to cover your maintenance fees if it finishes late.
Key Strengths
- Prepares drawings for condo board and city approvals, handles engineer sign-off and submits permit applications where required.
- Publishes a realistic full-suite timeline of 6 to 10 weeks.
- Lifetime coverage available on select workmanship items.
Important Considerations
- Recommends temporary accommodation for most full renovations, which adds cost.
- Its lifetime coverage applies to select items only, so read the warranty schedule.
Recommended For: Owners in downtown or midtown towers who expect a demanding property manager and want approvals handled for them.
Contact: Address: 30 Powerhouse St, Suite 101 Office #G12, Toronto, ON M6H 0C6 Phone: 647-428-0007
2. Unit Modeler
Unit Modeler concentrates on condo units and reports more than 4,000 of them completed over 20+ years. It operates a 25,000-square-foot showroom at 100 Nugget Avenue in Scarborough.
That volume suggests familiarity with common Toronto floor plans. The figure is company-reported, though, and its independent review base is still small.
Key Strengths
- Condo-first experience across a large number of units.
- An in-person showroom for comparing finishes before layout decisions are final.
Important Considerations
- Few independent reviews and no published awards or warranty terms.
- Scarborough location may mean longer site visits for downtown units.
Recommended For: Owners who want a condo-focused firm and prefer choosing finishes in person.
Contact: Address: 100 Nugget Ave, Scarborough, ON M1S 3A7 Phone: 647-360-9392
3. Raven Reno & Condo
Raven Reno & Condo covers kitchens, bathrooms, condos, legal basements and flooring under one point of contact. Founder Leo Mauro leads a team the company describes as licensed, insured and WSIB-registered, with more than 20 years in the GTA.
Its pricing approach suits layout jobs that mix several trades. Every quote is itemized and explained up front, and financing is available through Financeit.
Key Strengths
- Itemized quotes that make line-by-line comparison easy.
- In-house carpentry and cabinetry for built-ins that rework a layout.
- Free in-home consultation before any commitment.
Important Considerations
- Condos are one service among many, and the condo portfolio is less documented than CSG's.
- No published street address or warranty terms.
Recommended For: Owners combining a layout tweak with flooring, millwork and a bathroom refresh who want to see every cost.
Contact: Address: Serves Toronto and the GTA (street address not published) Phone: 416-629-8485
Scored Side by Side: Layout Changes, Condo Specialization and Project Management
| Factor | CSG Renovation | Unit Modeler | Raven Reno & Condo | Easy Renovation (alternative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | High-Rise Building Logistics | High-Volume Condo Track Record | Itemized Quotes on Mixed Scopes | Best Overall Turnkey Condo Project |
| Layout support | Drawings, engineer sign-off, permits | Showroom-led planning | In-house carpentry, permits | In-house engineer, structural drawings, 4K 3D renders |
| Condo specialization | High-rise focus | Condo-first | One of several lines | Dedicated condo line, board approvals handled |
| Project management | Dedicated PM, photo updates | Not published | One point of contact | Dedicated PM, daily supervision, client portal |
| Warranty | 3-year workmanship | Not published | Not published | 2-year, $5M liability |
Layout changes
CSG and Easy Renovation are the two firms that publish an engineering and permit workflow for structural changes. Raven covers permits for structural work, while Unit Modeler's process is less documented online.
Condo specialization
CSG and Unit Modeler are the most condo-focused of the named three. Raven is a generalist with a condo service line.
Project management
CSG names a dedicated project manager and photo check-ins. Raven offers a single point of contact, and Unit Modeler does not publish its project management model.
Two Alternatives to Consider
1. Easy Renovation- Best overall turnkey condo project
Easy Renovation suits layout changes because its in-house engineer and design team produce floor plans, structural drawings and 4K 3D renders before any wall comes down. One fixed, itemized contract then covers materials, trades, condo board approvals and permits.
The firm's credentials are independently checkable. It has won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award four consecutive years (2022 to 2025) and is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating.
It is also a member of BILD, RenoMark and NKBA. Trades are WSIB-insured, and every project carries $5 million in liability insurance and a 2-year warranty.
Its Google listings are rated 4.5 to 5 stars, including the Etobicoke head office. A Burlington client summed up the process:
"Our kitchen had become outdated, and the renovation made a huge difference to the space. The bathroom was also updated, along with a few other parts of the home, and everything now feels much more comfortable."- Harshita Dewangan 5 ⭐on Google.
Key Strengths:
- A 48-hour change-order rule, so layout tweaks mid-project are priced and signed before work continues.
- A daily site supervisor, Friday written progress notes and photo updates in a client portal.
- A closeout package with permit numbers, the ESA certificate and as-built drawings.
Important Considerations:
- Firm pricing comes after a site visit, not from the website ranges alone.
- Finishes are chosen mainly from its 120-page catalogue.
Recommended For: Owners who want the layout redesigned, approved, permitted and built by one team under one price.
Contact: Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7 Phone: 647-496-0826
2. Eurodale Design + Build- Best for complex loft reconfigurations
Eurodale is a five-time Renovator of the Year recipient. It won Best Kitchen Renovation at the 2025 OHBA Awards of Distinction for a Toronto condo kitchen.
One of its loft projects created a full three-piece washroom where only a powder room existed. That is exactly the kind of plumbing-heavy layout change that tests a contractor.
Review summary — Richard Dri,1 ⭐on Google. (2025): The reviewer said Eurodale charged a consultation fee to prepare a preliminary design-and-build budget that did not represent the final project cost. They noted that other contractors they interviewed provided initial budgets, answered questions and offered suggestions without an upfront fee.
Key Strengths
- Award-winning condo work and in-house crews.
- Listed as a Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialist with the CHBA.
Important Considerations
- Its core business is large additions and custom homes, and budgets run high.
Recommended For: Loft and penthouse owners planning significant plumbing or room changes.
Contact: Address: 1189 Lawrence Ave W, Suite 7, Toronto, ON M6A 1E2 Phone: 416-970-3876
Decision Guide: Which Firm Fits Your Floor Plan
| If your project is… | Start with |
|---|---|
| A downtown tower with strict building rules | CSG Renovation |
| A standard one- or two-bedroom plan you want refreshed with in-person finish selection | Unit Modeler |
| A mixed job (kitchen, bath, flooring, millwork) where you want every line priced | Raven Reno & Condo |
| A full layout redesign you want handled end to end under one fixed price | Easy Renovation |
| A loft or penthouse with major plumbing moves | Eurodale Design + Build |
Before choosing, confirm the contractor's City of Toronto Building Renovator licence and ask for a WSIB clearance certificate.
Your Condo Renovation Questions Answered
Can I remove a wall in my Toronto condo?
Often, yes, if it is a non-structural partition and the board approves it in writing. Concrete walls, slabs and columns are off-limits, and wall removal usually needs a City permit.
Can I move my kitchen sink or bathroom in a condo?
Sometimes. Moving plumbing depends on where the stacks run and what the board allows, and it normally needs a permit.
What is a section 98 agreement?
It is the agreement required under Ontario's Condominium Act when an owner alters common elements. The board must approve the change by resolution first.
How long do condo layout changes take?
CSG publishes 6 to 10 weeks for most full suites. Board approval and permits come first and can add several weeks.
Who handles the condo board paperwork?
CSG and Easy Renovation both state that they prepare the drawings and handle board approvals. Confirm this in writing with any contractor.
Your Next Steps
CSG Renovation is the safest of the three named firms for layout changes in a strict high-rise. Unit Modeler suits owners who value condo volume and a showroom, and Raven Reno & Condo suits mixed-trade jobs that need itemized pricing.
Easy Renovation is the alternative to weigh first for a turnkey layout project, with Eurodale Design + Build worth a call for complex lofts.
Whichever firm you pick, get the board's written approval and the City permit before anything is demolished.