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Northern Oaks
Renovated Muskoka cottage interior with fieldstone fireplace and lake view

Cottage Renovations
in Muskoka.

We renovate Muskoka cottages without erasing what made them feel like a cottage. Additions, full guts, second storeys, and four-season conversions on legacy properties.

  • 5.0 · 19 Google reviews
  • Licensed · Insured · WSIB
  • Replies in 4-8 hours
$5M liability + WSIB
3 years building in Muskoka
Huntsville to Parry Sound
Our cottage renovations services

Our cottage renovations services.

Every specialty within cottage renovations, with its own scope, timeline, and fixed-price proposal. Pick the one that matches your project.

Full Gut Renovations

Down-to-studs Muskoka cottage renovations with new envelope, mechanicals, and finishes.

View Full Gut Renovations details

Cottage Additions

Side, rear, and lake-side additions that look original from day one.

View Cottage Additions details

Second Storey Additions

Adding a second floor to a Muskoka cottage with engineered lift or rebuild.

View Second Storey Additions details

Four-Season Conversions

Converting three-season Muskoka cottages for year-round use.

View Four-Season Conversions details

Foundation Lifts & Repairs

Lifting Muskoka cottages off failing foundations onto new full basements or piers.

View Foundation Lifts & Repairs details

Interior Cottage Renovations

Main-floor updates, bedrooms, mudrooms, great rooms, trim, flooring, and finish upgrades.

View Interior Cottage Renovations details

Exterior Cottage Renovations

Siding, windows, doors, trim, entries, porches, and weather-exposed exterior upgrades.

View Exterior Cottage Renovations details

Structural Wall Removals & Beam Work

Load-bearing wall removals, beam installs, open-concept conversions, and engineered supports.

View Structural Wall Removals & Beam Work details

Crawlspace & Basement Upgrades

Crawlspace insulation, moisture control, access improvements, and basement finishing support.

View Crawlspace & Basement Upgrades details

Window, Door & Siding Upgrades

Replacement windows, exterior doors, patio doors, siding, trim, flashing, and weatherproofing.

View Window, Door & Siding Upgrades details

Mudroom & Entry Renovations

Durable entries, boot rooms, storage walls, laundry tie-ins, and cottage drop zones.

View Mudroom & Entry Renovations details

Cottage Renovations Plumbing

Licensed plumbing rough-in, fixture, and repair work tied to your cottage renovations project.

View Cottage Renovations Plumbing details

Cottage Renovations Electrical

Licensed electrical rough-in, fixtures, and panel work tied to your cottage renovations project.

View Cottage Renovations Electrical details
2025 Quality Business Award winner
Recognised 2025

Best general contractor in Muskoka.

Named #1 by the Quality Business Awards for craftsmanship, transparency, and on-time delivery across Muskoka.

What clients say

Real cottage renovations reviews .

5.0 · 19+ Google reviews
via Google
"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."
Tiffany Wilson2 months ago
via Google
"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."
Semir N.4 months ago
via Google
"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!"
Curtis Henhawke4 months ago
via Google
"Rob did a full renovation at my cottage. He listened carefully to my vision and worked closely with me to bring it to life. He was fair with his pricing and friendly to work with. I recommend Rob for your renovation project!"
Christina Cruise8 months ago
via Google
"Rob was amazing to work with. His diligence and hard work really transformed our home into more than we ever expected. It was a pleasure working with Rob, always went above and beyond."
Greg Averya year ago
via Google
"Amazing experience! We worked with Rob, who was friendly, respectful and knowledgeable from start to finish. Part-way through overhauling our powder room he identified some issues that no one could have foreseen, but offered to come back and make it right."
Dan2 years ago
Recent work

Explore Our Recent Work

Interior renovation, drywall stage in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Basement finishing in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Full basement build, drywall stage in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
White shaker kitchen with marble waterfall island in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Bathroom renovation in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Bathroom refresh, tub to glass shower in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Walk-in shower tile build in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Marble ensuite in progress in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Marble ensuite with neo-angle glass shower in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Start your project

Ready to start your Cottage Renovations project?

Tell us about the space. A real project manager replies within 4 to 8 hours with next steps.

How we approach it

How we approach every project.

Four things we do on every job, no matter the size. It's how we make sure the finished work still looks and functions the way it should years down the road.

01

We understand the space first

Before we quote or design anything, we walk the site, take real measurements, and ask what you actually want out of the space. The best projects start with a clear picture, not a guess.

02

We choose materials with the end in mind

Every material gets picked for how it'll look, feel, and hold up over years of real use. We'll tell you where to spend and where you can save without regretting it later.

03

We build it properly, not just quickly

Straight walls, tight joints, level floors, clean finishes. We take the extra hour it costs to do it right because it saves you the callback and it's the work we want our name on.

04

We finish what we start

One project manager from first quote to final walk-through. Punch lists get closed, the site gets cleaned, and you get a warranty in writing. No loose ends.

5yr
Workmanship warranty

All workmanship backed by a 5-year warranty in writing.

More recent work

More From The Field

Statement marble bathroom build in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Cottage deck rebuild in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Paver restoration & landscape refresh in Muskoka, before and after — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Stone fireplaces & feature walls in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
A-frame new build, framing in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Full-height fieldstone fireplace in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Cedar deck with pergola roof in Muskoka — real Northern Oaks Contracting project photo
Our process

How a cottage renovations project actually runs.

No mystery, no ghosting between steps. Here's the exact path from first phone call to final walk-through, with what happens, who's on it, and what you'll have in your hands at the end of each stage.

  1. 01
    Discovery
    Week 1

    Assessment

    Structural and envelope review before scope is locked.

    What you get
    Site notes, rough budget range, next-step plan
  2. 02
    Design & pricing
    Weeks 2 to 4

    Scope and quote

    Fixed-price proposal with allowances called out clearly.

    What you get
    Fixed-price proposal, scope of work, start window
  3. 03
    On-site work
    Build phase

    Demo and build

    Protected access, dust containment, weekly photo logs.

    What you get
    Weekly photo updates, milestone check-ins, change orders in writing
  4. 04
    Handover
    Final week

    Closeout

    Walkthrough, warranty book, and a Muskoka-tuned maintenance schedule.

    What you get
    Walk-through, punch-list sign-off, written warranty
One point of contact

Same project manager from first call to final walk-through.

Start the conversation
What's involved

Every trade in a cottage renovations project.

We run the full scope or with vetted partners on a single contract. Here's what typically lands inside this kind of project.

Demolition

Selective demo with dust control and protection for finished areas.

Structural

Beam swaps, post relocations, and engineer-stamped openings.

Plumbing & electrical updates

Bringing legacy systems to current code while you're already opened up.

Insulation & air sealing

Upgrading R-values and air tightness during reno is the cheapest time to do it.

Cabinetry & built-ins

Mudrooms, libraries, window seats, and bunk rooms built on site.

Flooring

Hardwood, engineered, tile, and heated floor systems.

Paint & finish

Full repaint, stain matching, and trim refresh after work is complete.

How we meet

On site, or on video.

Two ways to kick things off. Whichever is easier for you.

On-site walk-through

We'll meet you at the property, pull tape, take photos, and walk the scope with you in person.

Book a site visit

Live video walkthrough

Prefer to stay put? Hop on a video call and we'll walk the space or the plans together from anywhere.

Schedule a call
FAQ

Common questions.

Can we still use the cottage on weekends while the reno is underway?+

Sometimes, depending on scope. We sequence work so kitchens or main living areas stay usable when possible.

Can you handle load-bearing walls, additions, and other structural changes?+

Yes. Load-bearing removals, foundation lifts, and engineered beam swaps are routine for us.

Can you convert an old three-season cottage into a full four-season home?+

Yes. Spray-foam envelope, slab or crawlspace insulation, HVAC sizing, and freeze-protected plumbing make it a properly winterized home.

Do you take on additions, dormers, and second-storey builds?+

Yes. Dormer adds, full second storeys, and side additions are some of our most common projects. Engineered and permitted before demo.

Will our renovation trigger new zoning or setback review?+

Interior-only work usually doesn't. Footprint or height changes do. We check setbacks and lot coverage before quoting.

How do you protect the rest of the cottage from dust and damage during demo?+

Zip-wall containment, floor protection, negative-pressure HEPA filtration, and dedicated entry/exit so dust never reaches finished rooms.

Can you save and reuse original beams, stone, or hardwood from the cottage?+

Often. We salvage original beams, fireplaces, hardwood, and stone whenever the condition allows, and document what we save before demo.

What's the timeline for a typical reno?+

Kitchens and baths run 6 to 10 weeks. Full guts run 5 to 9 months. Additions add 3 to 5 months beyond that, depending on permits.

What if we don't live near Muskoka?+

Most of our reno clients live in Toronto or further. Weekly photo logs, video walkthroughs, and coffee meetings in the city between site days.

How does the first meeting actually work?+

We come to the site (or hop on a video call, whichever is easier), walk through the space with you, take measurements and photos, and ask questions about how you actually use the property. There is no sales pitch. You leave the meeting with a clear next-step plan and a rough sense of scope and timing, and we leave with enough information to start putting a real proposal together.

Do you source materials locally?+

Local sourcing is absolutely an option and something we lean into whenever it makes sense, but it is not the only path. We source based on each client's needs, budget, and the specific goals for their project. Sometimes the right material is a local Muskoka supplier or a nearby millwork shop. Other times it's a specialty product from further away that better fits the look, performance, or lead time. We walk you through the options and make the call together.

Who is actually on site during the project?+

A dedicated project manager owns your file from the first conversation through the final walk-through. On the ground you'll see our own carpenters and site lead running the day-to-day, plus vetted trade partners for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and specialty finishes. Everyone on site works to the same standard and reports up through the project manager, so you always know who to call and never get bounced between subs.

How do you keep us in the loop while work is happening?+

You get a single project manager as your point of contact, weekly photo updates so you can see progress even if you're out of town, scheduled check-in calls at major milestones, and any change to scope, timeline, or materials in writing before it happens. Most of our clients live in Toronto or out of province, so the whole process is built to work without you needing to be on site.

What happens if something needs to change mid-project?+

Change orders happen on almost every project once things are open and real conditions are visible. When something needs to shift (a hidden condition, a design tweak you want, a material swap) we document exactly what's changing, the impact on schedule, and the impact on the number, then send it to you for sign-off before any work happens. No surprises on the final invoice.

Do you clean up as you go?+

Every day. Site gets broomed and organized at the end of every workday, materials get stored properly, and containment stays in place so dust doesn't migrate through the rest of the house. At the end of the project the site gets a full detail clean before handover, and we do a joint walk-through with you to catch anything that needs a final touch.

What kind of warranty comes with the work?+

A full two-year workmanship warranty on everything we build, in writing, handed to you at closeout along with a maintenance schedule and a folder of all product manuals, paint colours, and finish specs. If something isn't right we come back and fix it, no debate. On new builds you also get the applicable structural warranty coverage on top of that.

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