Are you thinking of finishing a basement for personal use, or for income purposes? You've come to the right place. Our team is comprised of hard-working and dedicated professionals who believe in using quality materials, and delivering great basements specifically designed for our clients needs at a fair price.
We are the basement renovation specialist. Nothing beats a finished basement as one of the most cost-effective ways of adding value to your home. A finished basement can provide you with more living space in the form of extra bedrooms, bathrooms or activity areas - or properly permitted and built - a second suite basement can provide you with additional income, and provide the critical first step on to the property ladder.
Penguin Basements is Ontario's largest specialty contractor. During our last year, we built over 350 finished basements in the GTA, and this year, thanks to the expansion of our service territory, we are approaching 500. You could say we are capable. Very capable.
We are the basement renovation specialist. Nothing beats a finished basement as one of the most cost-effective ways of adding value to your home. A finished basement can provide you with more living space in the form of extra bedrooms, bathrooms or activity areas - or properly permitted and built - a second suite basement can provide you with additional income, and provide the critical first step on to the property ladder.
Penguin Basements is Ontario's largest specialty contractor. During our last year, we built over 350 finished basements in the GTA, and this year, thanks to the expansion of our service territory, we are approaching 500. You could say we are capable. Very capable.
Services
Seeing a gap in the market, Penguin Basements was founded in 2011 by Guy Solomon to bring a standard of process and professionalism to a burgeoning industry.
Learning from past experiences on both the professional and personal side, Guy believed that a company should rise above the competition by employing higher build standards, utilizing more suitable materials, and implementing a proven build process (similar to that employed by housing developers) to deliver a better basement in terms of design, functionality, quality, and durability.
Learning from past experiences on both the professional and personal side, Guy believed that a company should rise above the competition by employing higher build standards, utilizing more suitable materials, and implementing a proven build process (similar to that employed by housing developers) to deliver a better basement in terms of design, functionality, quality, and durability.
We do basements. Mostly basements.* But not just any kind of basement. We help you realize the basement of your dreams with a better planned, better designed and better-built basement renovation. Actually, you could say we are as much a project management company as we are a basement contractor. Anything worth doing, is worth doing right, right?
Thinking about finishing a basement? That's a wise choice. A finished basement is not only a great way to expand the living space in your home; it is also a sound financial investment that will make your home more attractive and more valuable if you decide to sell in the future. Or perhaps you are considering adding a second suite or basement apartment for an in-law, live-in nanny or as a source of rental income?
That's our promise. And when it comes to completely finishing your basement, we continue to evolve the program, process, products, and people we have in place to ensure we fulfill that promise. We call this our Smart Basements approach. We meet with you at your home, where we will tour your basement and discuss your needs.
Our customers love to tell us how we've done. And we listen, because good or bad feedback, all of it improves our work. We encourage you to read through our customer testimonials, not just here on this website but also on our Facebook page, on Homestars, on Houzz, on Yelp and elsewhere around the internet.
Reviews (20)
Ashley Jackman
Dec 17, 2021
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The sales pitch with Guy was impressive! That man can sell ice to an Eskimo. And the option of financing was a major aspect in my decision making. And my decision to proceed even after the initial red flags and concerns, like when the Walkout entrance contractor showed up without having performed a locate even after I told Penguin of the… electrical/gas/cable lines under ground there. Poor communication number 1 of so many! I wish I walked away then and there. I had my own locate done and moved the electrical/cable lines myself and finally a few weeks later the project gets underway. I was
Georgette Turnbull
Oct 24, 2021
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We had our basement done this spring and I have been meaning to write a review since then.
I cannot express the happiness we feel about how our basement was transformed from a large empty storage room to an incredible space for guests and friends.
The choices in finishes were incredible and the planning that went into it was so professional. From the original conversation about what we wanted to do and then the design review and then the actual job itself with its amazing workers, it is hard to put it into words, but I will try my best as a thank you to this company and to the people who want
I cannot express the happiness we feel about how our basement was transformed from a large empty storage room to an incredible space for guests and friends.
The choices in finishes were incredible and the planning that went into it was so professional. From the original conversation about what we wanted to do and then the design review and then the actual job itself with its amazing workers, it is hard to put it into words, but I will try my best as a thank you to this company and to the people who want
Mark Gry
Oct 22, 2021
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Dear Guy and Management Team Just wondering when Penguin will be arranging to have a technician install the wire for the damaged water meter? I do not agree with the construction manager’s position about the service not being part of the agreement since he was one who agreed to move the water meter as per a change request. Any damages to that part… of the service should be should be covered on the warranty. I am hoping this is last time we have to engage. We will continue to engage until this has been addressed.
As you know from my emails, the workers unintentionally damaged the water
As you know from my emails, the workers unintentionally damaged the water
Mark Rubio
Oct 10, 2021
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Already had a home for 10 years and wanted to finish our basement. We had a 800 sq.ft space and got in touch with Penguin Basements. Got our free quote and consultation with Roberto and it was smooth sailing from there. The team did a great job letting us in on the best layout for our basement and we got our basement finished after 4 weeks. We now have shining hardwood floors, sleek marble tiles, a kitchen, living room and bedroom with a bathroom. 10/10
John Summey
Sep 30, 2021
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Super quick service and great installation. Friendly and easygoing team and very knowledgeable but not pushy project manager. We were even able to save by choosing to do the painting ourselves! Thanks to Penguin Basements for making it happen. We used to just throw things into the basement as storage, now we have late night parties and movie nights down here!
Duke Christina
Sep 29, 2021
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Super pleased with the new basement design and install from Penguin Basements. The renovation took us 3 weeks to complete and Josh made it much easier than it would have otherwise been, constantly talking back and forth between the different departments and us to make sure that everything stayed on track and on schedule. Big thanks to him and the installers for making it happen! Cheers.
Shameka Pinkney
Sep 25, 2021
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Huge thanks to Matt for taking us in after a horror story basement renovation we had with another basement reno company. He reassured us that our basement can be made new and beautiful again and got to work. Very smooth communication, any questions answered within 2 hours over email outside of business hours and during them, I’d receive a reply almost immediately from him. They came in and helped us through the design process to find the best flooring, walls and lighting for us and stopped every time there was a modification to the original plan to give us a consultation to ensure we weren’t
Micheal Martin
Sep 22, 2021
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Had an online consultation over Zoom and decided to choose Penguin basements after they offered their quote. Always able to co0me up with new designs so make my basement bigger, brighter and better. The whole team was super flexible with whatever I wanted and were willing to work around me to fit my needs. At the end of the day, we got a playroom for the kids, living room for movie nights and an extra bedroom in our 900 sq.ft space. Before it felt like a cavern with concrete flooring but now it feels like a wide open mansion! Love it!
Bennett Roland
Sep 19, 2021
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Love the innovation, design and service! Great install team and great designer to help show us the ropes of basement renovation. We installed a living room, bedroom and bar for stone-tiled walls as well as marble flooring in the bar and hardwood flooring for the rest of the basement. They put a lot of work into making it a reality, and I’m glad they did. Super meticulous work and a great end result! Great company and good pricing!
Jamie Barney
Sep 15, 2021
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We dealt with Penguin Basements from Day 1 and throughout, from the quick consultation to the certified hardware they used to the great customer service and communication throughout, there was nothing to complain about. We were able to finish our basement in 3 weeks with hardwood flooring and a stone tiled wall with a built-in fireplace. Looks great, now we have another half a home compared to the cellar we had before with the unfinished basement.
Tatiana Da Silveira
Sep 12, 2021
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James Saechao
Sep 09, 2021
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We wanted to open up a second suite to rent out our basement and needed to design a good one. Penguin basements right away brought us in with their free consultation that we received the next day. It was long, but very informative. We then had a project manager assigned that helped to finish the 700sq ft. of space we had in the span of 3 weeks. He really helped us pick out the best materials and design for our basement as well as making sure we complied with all the regulations to rent our basement. Big thanks, we got an amazing price for it!
Mary Mia
Aug 28, 2021
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Really happy with our new basement! Thanks to Dan, Sergei, Walter and more for the amazing work! They did a great job making it as spacious and comfortable as possible for our family. Big, expansive rooms, soft and smooth flooring and a wonderful closed off movie room with sound-proof walls to have Friday movie nights together! Also great aesthetic and design for resale and/or renting it out in the future. Loving it!
Sarah Ces
Jun 25, 2021
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STEER CLEAR OF THIS COMPANY. Please save yourself the stress and headache. We hired them to finish our basement 550sqft - a rec room, bedroom, bathroom, storage area. Quote was similar to others we got, but at… the time they offered a “half solution” which costs a lot less and would have us doing the flooring, painting, doors and trim work ourselves. They do rush jobs that result in poor craftsmanship and extra work for the homeowner. They demand signed checks up front, to be cashed days apart so even if you aren’t happy with the job they still get your money. Theres no
Jas Ianiero
Aug 20, 2020
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We booked with penguin, “2-3” week completion. We are currently on week 6 and what a nightmare. They schedule people to come, you wait all day and no one shows up. They’ve promised 3 times now “it will be done this week”. Well here we are still not done, plumbing done incorrectly. So on our “promised final day” of work yesterday, there is a huge… hole in the drywall. We were told plumber would be back today and like every other time no one is here. The trades men that have come have been great- framers, drywall, flooring. But dealing with anyone
Hannah Rockman
Oct 23, 2019
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This company signed a contract with us to renovate our kitchen. They held our deposit for a year while we spent hours going over and over the designs with them as they kept changing their designers, some left and some were fired. By the third designer we were very worried and asked to meet the owner. He came over and apologized dd for "… disappointing us" but said "its like you wanted a Porsche but came to a Toyota factory" so I think we will not be able to do the job. I was stunned!. We could have finished our kitchen a year earlier with a different company but they told us they would be
Petra Niebergall
Oct 14, 2019
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Sammie S.
Nov 19, 2018
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I had time to kill around 530pm while in the area today so I wandered in. They are supposed to be open until 900pm. I walked around a nicely stocked showroom all the way through, and did not see one person. Spooky.
Nice textured wall samples, fireplace stove samples, counter samples and cabinetry. I wish I had seen more floor samples that I liked. It looks like they may work with Olympia tile - but that's a guess based on the samples. I really would have appreciated a brochure and/or someone to talk to.
I recall from seeing them at a home show years ago that their focus is waterproof basements
Nice textured wall samples, fireplace stove samples, counter samples and cabinetry. I wish I had seen more floor samples that I liked. It looks like they may work with Olympia tile - but that's a guess based on the samples. I really would have appreciated a brochure and/or someone to talk to.
I recall from seeing them at a home show years ago that their focus is waterproof basements
Cathie Ross
Oct 30, 2018
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After selecting who we thought would be the best we learned a hard lesson that the smaller guys are better. What a horrible experience!! All they care about is getting their money and they had no time for our concerns of errors along the way. Worst customer service I have ever experienced. I do not recommend this company at all
Alex Chik
Oct 20, 2018
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Efficiency doesn't mean anything if you need to do it again. Overall score: 3/10.
We would rate them 3/5 stars for "how satisfied are you with this company" and 0/5 stars for "how likely would you recommend this company". We will detail our experience below, which I have adapted from a letter originally addressed to Penguin Basements (a.k.a.… Penguin Renos a.k.a. Penguin Kitchens) (dated August 28, 2018) - please go to for my full review (with photos and a table of deficiencies that were mostly addressed). If you want the short verdict, see the "BOTTOM LINE" at the end of this review.
Our
We would rate them 3/5 stars for "how satisfied are you with this company" and 0/5 stars for "how likely would you recommend this company". We will detail our experience below, which I have adapted from a letter originally addressed to Penguin Basements (a.k.a.… Penguin Renos a.k.a. Penguin Kitchens) (dated August 28, 2018) - please go to for my full review (with photos and a table of deficiencies that were mostly addressed). If you want the short verdict, see the "BOTTOM LINE" at the end of this review.
Our
