General Contractor in
Gravenhurst.
Southern Muskoka's lakefront town on Lake Muskoka.
- 5.0 · 19 Google reviews
- Licensed · Insured · WSIB
- Replies in 4-8 hours
Local builds, local knowledge.
Gravenhurst is the south gateway to Muskoka and one of the busiest lakefront markets in the district. We renovate older cottages and build new from Sparrow Lake up to Lake Muskoka.
What we build here.
Every service we run in Muskoka, scoped for Gravenhurst. Click through for full details, pricing signals, and past work.
Custom Cottage Builds
Ground-up lakefront homes built for Muskoka winters and four-season living.
Explore Custom Cottage Builds
Cottage Renovations
Full gut renos, additions, and tasteful modernizations of legacy cottages.
Explore Cottage Renovations
Masonry & Stonework
Self-performed fieldstone, granite, and natural-veneer masonry.
Explore Masonry & Stonework
Fireplaces
Floor-to-ceiling fieldstone hearths designed as the room's centerpiece.
Explore Fireplaces
Kitchen Renovations
Lake-view kitchens with stone counters and millwork built for entertaining.
Explore Kitchen Renovations
Bathroom Renovations
Spa-style ensuites with tile, stone, and natural light.
Explore Bathroom Renovations
Decks & Outdoor Living
Composite and cedar decks engineered for shoreline grade and exposure.
Explore Decks & Outdoor Living
Pergolas & Covered Decks
Cedar shade structures over fieldstone patios, built to weather decades.
Explore Pergolas & Covered DecksRetaining Walls
Armour stone terraces that hold a shoreline and look like they were always there.
Explore Retaining Walls
Boathouses & Docks
Two-storey boathouses and crib docks permitted to MNRF standards.
Explore Boathouses & Docks
Landscape Construction
Interlock driveways, natural stone walkways, grading, drainage, and lighting.
Explore Landscape Construction
Patios & Interlock
Fieldstone, flagstone, and Techo-Bloc patios built on engineered base.
Explore Patios & Interlock
Repairs & Handyman Service
Cottage-side fixes done right, with the same crew that builds for our larger clients.
Explore Repairs & Handyman ServiceBased in Muskoka. Building in Muskoka.
Northern Oaks is a Muskoka-based general contractor and masonry firm. Live crew, one project manager, one contract, weekly photo updates.
More about usHow a Gravenhurst project runs.
A clear six-step path so you always know what comes next, no surprises, no scope creep.
Inquire
Send us the project details through the form, email, or a phone call.
Connect
We reach out to learn more about your goals, timeline, and budget range.
Site walk
We meet you on site, walk the property together, and take measurements.
Fixed quote
You receive an in-depth, fixed-price proposal covering the complete project.
Approval & deposit
Confirm final changes, sign off, and pay the deposit to get booked in.
Build day
When your scheduled start date arrives, our crew shows up and the work begins.
"We had an excellent experience with Northern Oaks Contracting. Rob was always friendly, professional and very knowledgeable in many different areas. Not only did he do a great job with our renovation but he noticed and helped us out in some other areas too."
"I hired Northern Oaks for a driveway extension as part of my home renovation so I could park two additional cars, and I'm really impressed with the results. The quality of the work and craftsmanship really stand out. It's been over 6 months and it's held up perfectly."
"The Northern Oaks Contracting crew has been amazing to work with from start to finish. Their ability to keep both customers and trades well-coordinated has made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a reliable and professional team!"
"Robert installed a kitchen backsplash for us. Communication was great and he showed up to do the work when he said he would. The price was very reasonable and quality of work excellent. Would definitely recommend them."
"We hired Rob to complete a chimney rebuild and do some work on an exterior and interior wall. The work was completed within the agreed upon time frame and when we had an issue with the fireplace after the chimney rebuild Rob was speedy to come back and sort it out."
"My property manager recommended Rob. I obtained multiple quotes, and his company stood out as the most professional and offered the best price. I highly recommend them, excellent customer service and I'm very satisfied with their work."
Trusted across Gravenhurst.
Named #1 by the Quality Business Awards for craftsmanship, transparency, and on-time delivery across Muskoka.
Award · 2025
Fresh from our Instagram feed.
Real projects, real progress shots. Tap through for the full story on any of them.
We also build in.
Gravenhurst questions.
Do you renovate older Gravenhurst cottages?+
Constantly. Many Gravenhurst properties are 1950s to 1980s builds where the structure is sound but the systems, insulation, and layout are dated. We handle everything from selective updates to full gut renovations with structural changes.
Which areas around Gravenhurst do you cover?+
Lake Muskoka's south shore, Gull Lake, Kahshe Lake, Sparrow Lake, and the surrounding rural roads down toward the Severn.
Who issues the permit for work in Gravenhurst?+
The Town of Gravenhurst building department, with District of Muskoka involvement for septic and certain shoreline work. Permits, drawings, and inspections are part of our scope.
Can you work on a property with limited road access?+
Yes. Narrow seasonal roads and steep lots are normal here. We plan material staging, smaller delivery loads, and equipment access before the first day rather than discovering the problem on site.
Do you handle shoreline and waterfront structures?+
We build boathouse-adjacent structures, stone stairs, retaining walls, decks, and landscape masonry down to the water, coordinating any approvals the work requires.
What is the first step to getting a quote?+
A site visit. We walk the property, take measurements and photos, talk through what you want, and follow up with a written scoped estimate rather than a verbal number.
Building in Gravenhurst. Let's talk.
Walk the site with us. We follow up with a fixed-price proposal, usually within two weeks.
Tell us about your cottage.
Cottage and renovation guides for Gravenhurst
Hiring a contractor in Gravenhurst: what to check first
Gravenhurst is one of the busiest renovation markets in Muskoka, which means it also attracts contractors who cut corners. Here is how to vet one properly.
Read the guide
Spring cottage inspection checklist: what to check after a Muskoka winter
What we check every spring when opening Muskoka cottages: frost heave, roof damage, foundation cracks, shoreline shifts, and plumbing before turning the water back on.
Read the guideMuskoka stone fireplace guide: veneer vs full masonry, chimney rules, and WETT inspections
Veneer vs full masonry, chimney code basics, WETT inspections, and real cost bands for a Muskoka stone fireplace project.
Read the guide