When your home needs more than a quick fix — a dated kitchen that no longer works for your family, a basement that is wasted square footage, or a bathroom that has seen better decades — you need a general contractor who treats your home like their own. For the past 12 years, GDS Landscaping and General Contracting has been that contractor for homeowners across Barrie and Simcoe County.
We are a full-service general contracting company with an in-house crew of 5–10 skilled tradespeople — fully licensed and insured. From the first sketch to the final walkthrough, one dedicated project manager oversees your renovation: coordinating every trade, securing permits, and keeping your project on schedule and on budget.
Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel in Barrie, a basement finishing project in Innisfil, or a whole-home renovation in Orillia, you get a single point of accountability — and craftsmanship backed by a written warranty. Call (647) 767-1986 for a free, no-pressure quote.
What a General Contractor Does
A general contractor is the professional who takes legal and practical responsibility for your entire renovation from start to finish. That means managing the construction schedule, hiring and supervising subcontractors — electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, tilers — pulling building permits, arranging inspections, controlling the budget, and guaranteeing the quality of the finished work.
Without a general contractor, homeowners end up acting as their own project manager: juggling half a dozen trades, chasing no-shows, and discovering too late that the tile setter and the plumber each assumed the other was handling the waterproofing. Costly mistakes, blown timelines, and finger-pointing are the usual result.
With GDS as your general contractor in Barrie, none of that falls on you. You approve the design and the budget; we handle everything else — demolition, framing, rough-ins, drywall, finishing, and the final clean. One contract, one schedule, one company accountable for the result. Here is what we coordinate on every project:
- Detailed written estimates with line-item pricing — no vague allowances
- Building permits and Ontario Building Code inspections
- Demolition, framing, insulation, and drywall
- Licensed electrical, plumbing, and HVAC subcontractors
- Custom carpentry, cabinetry installation, and trim
- Flooring, tile, painting, and fixture installation
- Daily site protection and cleanup, plus a final walkthrough
Our Renovation Services
As a full-service general contractor serving Barrie and Simcoe County, we handle complete interior renovations under one roof. Our most-requested projects include:
- Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations — Custom kitchens with quality cabinetry, stone countertops, and smart layouts, plus spa-inspired bathrooms with walk-in showers and heated floors.
- Basement Renovations — Turn cold storage into legal bedrooms, home offices, media rooms, or income suites that add real resale value.
- Flooring Installation — Hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, tile, and laminate installed level, tight, and guaranteed.
- Commercial Renovations — Office, retail, and restaurant build-outs across Simcoe County, delivered on schedule to minimize downtime.
We also build home additions, convert garages into living space, and take on whole-home renovations. If your project touches more than one trade, it belongs with a licensed general contractor — not a handyman.
Our Process: Quote to Warranty
Renovations feel stressful when communication breaks down. Our process is designed to prevent that — you will always know what is happening, what is next, and what it costs.
- Free consultation and site visit. We walk through your home, listen to your goals, take measurements, and talk honestly about realistic budget ranges for Barrie-area renovations.
- Detailed written quote. You receive a line-item estimate with a clear scope of work. No allowances hiding surprises, no pressure tactics.
- Design and selections. We help you finalize layouts, materials, and finishes, coordinating with suppliers across Simcoe County.
- Permits and scheduling. We prepare drawings, submit permit applications to the City of Barrie or your township, and build a realistic construction schedule.
- Construction. Your project manager supervises the crew daily. The site is protected, kept clean, and you get regular progress updates.
- Final walkthrough and warranty. We inspect every detail together, fix any deficiencies immediately, and back the work with our written warranty.
Why Homeowners Hire GDS
Plenty of companies advertise as a general contractor in Barrie. Here is what actually sets GDS Landscaping and General Contracting apart after 12 years in business:
- In-house 5–10 person crew. Our own carpenters and project managers run your job. We do not broker your renovation out to strangers.
- Licensed and insured. Full liability coverage and WSIB compliance on every project, residential or commercial.
- Transparent, detailed quotes. Line-item pricing you can compare apples to apples. The price we quote is the price you pay, barring changes you request.
- One point of contact. A dedicated project manager who answers the phone and keeps you updated from demolition day to final clean.
- Local reputation. Most of our work comes from referrals across Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia, and surrounding towns. We protect that reputation on every job.
- Interior and exterior under one roof. Because we are also a full-service landscaping company, we can renovate your kitchen and build your new deck, patio, or fence in one coordinated project.
Service Areas
GDS provides general contracting services throughout Barrie and Simcoe County, including Innisfil, Orillia, Alliston, Bradford, Angus, Springwater, Midhurst, Oro-Medonte, New Tecumseth, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and Cookstown. If you are nearby and not sure we cover your town, call (647) 767-1986 — we likely do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a general contractor in Barrie?
Most whole-room renovations we manage fall into clear ranges: a mid-range kitchen renovation typically runs $35,000-$65,000, bathrooms $18,000-$35,000, and basement finishing $40,000-$90,000 depending on size and finishes. As your general contractor, we provide a detailed line-item quote before any work begins, so you know exactly where every dollar goes. Call (647) 767-1986 for a free on-site estimate.
How long does a typical home renovation take?
A standard bathroom takes 3-4 weeks, a kitchen 6-10 weeks, and a full basement 8-12 weeks from demolition to final clean. Timelines depend on permit approvals, material lead times, and project scope. Your written quote includes a realistic schedule, and your project manager updates you if anything shifts.
Do I need a building permit for my renovation in Barrie or Simcoe County?
Most structural, plumbing, and electrical work requires a permit under the Ontario Building Code – including basement finishing, additions, and moving load-bearing walls. Cosmetic updates like painting or replacing fixtures usually do not. We handle the entire permit process: drawings, applications, and inspections with the City of Barrie or your township.
Do you warranty your renovation work?
Yes. Every project is backed by our written workmanship warranty. If anything we installed fails due to workmanship within the warranty period, we come back and make it right at no charge. Manufacturer warranties on materials apply separately.
Will I need to move out during the renovation?
Usually not. For kitchens and bathrooms we set up dust barriers, maintain a clean path through your home, and schedule noisy work during reasonable hours. Whole-home renovations may require temporary relocation during certain phases for safety – we will tell you honestly during the consultation.
Related Services
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
Tell us about your project and get a free, detailed quote from Barrie’s trusted general contractor. Call (647) 767-1986 or request your quote online — we respond within one business day.
Planning a kitchen? Read our guide: Kitchen Renovation in Barrie: What It Really Costs in 2026.