General Contractor in
Muskoka Lakes.
Home of the Big Three: Rosseau, Joseph, and Muskoka.
- 5.0 · 19 Google reviews
- Licensed · Insured · WSIB
- Replies in 4-8 hours
Local builds, local knowledge.
The Township of Muskoka Lakes covers Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, and most of Lake Muskoka's western shore, including the iconic communities of Port Carling, Windermere, and Bala.
What we build here.
Every service we run in Muskoka, scoped for Muskoka Lakes. 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 Muskoka Lakes 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 Muskoka Lakes.
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.
Muskoka Lakes questions.
Do you work on Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, and Lake Muskoka?+
All three, plus the smaller lakes in the township. A large share of our new builds and high-end renovations are on the Big Three shorelines.
Who issues permits in the Township of Muskoka Lakes?+
The Township of Muskoka Lakes building department. Waterfront properties frequently trigger additional shoreline and site-plan review, so we build that review time into the schedule instead of promising a start date we cannot hold.
Can you build on a water-access-only island property?+
Yes. Island and water-access builds need barge scheduling, staged material deliveries, and a crew plan that accounts for travel time. We price that logistics work openly in the estimate so there are no surprise access charges later.
How do you protect a finished property during construction?+
Dust walls, floor protection, controlled access routes, and daily site cleanup. On occupied cottages we sequence work so the family can still use part of the property where that is safe.
Do you handle architectural or design drawings?+
We work alongside your architect or designer, and if you do not have one we can bring in a designer we trust. Either way we handle the permit set and the coordination between drawings and what actually gets built.
What kind of masonry do you do on Big Three properties?+
Granite and Muskoka stone fireplaces, full chimney rebuilds, stone veneer, pillars, outdoor kitchens, and shoreline retaining walls built to last through the freeze-thaw cycle.
Building in Muskoka Lakes. 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 Muskoka Lakes
Muskoka 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 guideCustom kitchens in Muskoka: cabinetry tiers and real budgets
Cabinetry tier, counter material, and island size do more to move a kitchen budget than anything else. Here is what each choice actually costs in 2026.
Read the guideMuskoka dock costs and types: crib, pipe, floating, and cantilever compared
Crib, pipe, floating, or cantilever. Here is what each dock type actually costs in Muskoka, how ice treats them, and what permits to expect.
Read the guide