Do you handle landlord approvals?

Yes. Most leases require the landlord to approve your drawings before permits can even be filed. We prepare the design review package, insurance certificates and deposits, and manage the back-and-forth — because that review is usually the single biggest lever on your opening date.

Can you build custom display fixtures and counters?

Yes. Custom millwork — shelving, counters, cash wraps and display units — is usually the largest single line item in a retail build, and it’s built off site to your merchandising plan. Retail fixtures take far more abuse than residential millwork, so we build them accordingly.

Can we stay open during the renovation?

For a refresh, usually yes — we phase the work and schedule disruptive tasks overnight where the building allows it. A full build-out generally requires the space to be closed. We’ll map the options against your trading needs before you commit.

What about accessibility requirements?

Barrier-free entry, aisle clearances, counter heights and washroom requirements are inspected before occupancy is granted. They belong in the drawings from the start — retrofitting them the week before opening is expensive and can delay your launch.

Store Renovation Toronto | Fixed-Price 5.0★

Built to Last — Not Just Installed

What makes us different starts before the first material is ordered. GMC Construction is founded and led by an owner who holds a Master's degree in Structural Engineering — so every project is approached with a genuine, advanced understanding of structure, load-bearing changes, drainage, and moisture protection. Most renovation companies focus only on how a space looks. We start with what's underneath, because that's what determines whether your renovation lasts five years or twenty-five.

Store & Retail Renovation Contractors in Toronto & the GTA

Looking for a store renovation Toronto or GTA-wide? In retail, your renovation has a deadline that doesn’t move: your opening date. Every week of delay is a week of rent without revenue. GMC Construction Inc. builds store and retail renovations across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area — sales floors, custom millwork, storefronts and full fit-outs — built to your opening date on a fixed-price quote, with landlord approvals and permits managed end to end.

Retail runs on landlord requirements and lead times, not just construction. Design review packages, insurance certificates, permitted hours, and long-lead custom millwork all sit between signing the lease and opening the doors. With 10+ years across the GTA and an owner who holds a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering, we plan the schedule backward from your launch and order against the long items early.

Our Store & Retail Services

Full Retail Fit-Outs

Taking a bare or vacated unit to move-in ready — flooring, lighting, mechanical, finishes and fixtures, coordinated with the landlord and built to your merchandising plan.

Custom Millwork & Fixtures

Shelving, counters, cash wraps and display units built off site to your plan. Usually the largest single line item — and the one with the longest lead time.

Storefronts & Signage

Entrances, glazing, display windows and sign integration — the first thing a customer sees, built to the landlord’s and the municipality’s requirements.

Lighting & Electrical

Display lighting, track systems, added circuits and panel capacity — designed so the merchandise looks right and the space can carry the load it needs.

Accessibility & Code

Barrier-free entry, aisle clearances, counter heights and washroom requirements — built into the drawings from the start, because they’re inspected before you can open.

Landlord Approvals & Permits

Design review packages, insurance certificates, deposits and building permits — prepared and managed by us, because that review is usually the biggest lever on your opening date.

How Much Does a Store Renovation Cost in Toronto?

Retail is priced by the square foot, and the range is wide because a cosmetic refresh and a flagship build are different projects. Most GTA projects fall into these tiers:

Cosmetic Refresh

$30 – $60 / sq ft

Standard Fit-Out

$70 – $130 / sq ft

MOST COMMON

Full Build-Out with Millwork

$120 – $200 / sq ft

Premium / Flagship

$200 – $300 / sq ft

Storefront / Structural

Priced separately

These reflect turnkey retail renovations in the GTA for 2026, including permits, mechanical and electrical work, finishes and project management. Custom millwork and storefront work are the two items that move a project between tiers. Key factors that affect store renovation costs:

Custom millwork — display fixtures, counters and cash wraps are usually the largest single line item and carry the longest lead time.
Base-building condition — a shell needs everything; a space with existing services in the right places saves substantially.
Storefront work — new glazing, entrances and signage integration are priced separately and often need their own approvals.
Landlord requirements — design review, insurance certificates, deposits and permitted hours all add cost and time to every retail project.
Accessibility upgrades — barrier-free entry, washrooms and clearances are inspected before opening and belong in the budget from the start.

Because retail scopes vary so widely, we assess the unit and your lease requirements before quoting. You get a fixed-price, itemized proposal after a free site visit — with the schedule mapped against your opening date.

Why Choose GMC for Your Store Renovation?

Built to your opening date

Your launch date is fixed, so we plan backward from it — ordering long-lead millwork early and sequencing trades so the doors open on schedule, not whenever the work happens to finish.

Landlord approvals handled

Most leases require landlord sign-off on your drawings before permits can even be filed. We prepare the review package and manage the back-and-forth, because that step usually decides your timeline.

Retail-grade millwork

Store fixtures take far more abuse than residential millwork. We build counters, displays and cash wraps to hold up to daily customer traffic, off site and on schedule.

Fixed-price quotes

Retail budgets are tight and approved once. You get a clear, itemized fixed price before we start — so you can commit to a number and open without a mid-project surprise.

Single point of accountability

Demolition, millwork, electrical, finishes and signage under one contract with one project manager — instead of you coordinating trades while trying to run a business opening.

Licensed, insured, proven

Fully licensed and insured with WSIB coverage, 500+ completed projects and a 5.0-star rating from 85+ Google reviews — the documentation landlords require before you get the keys.

What Retail Build-Outs Hinge On

Four things decide whether a store opens on time and on budget. They’re worth confirming before you sign a lease, not after.

Landlord Design Review

Most leases require the landlord to approve your drawings before permits can be filed. This review is usually the single biggest lever on your opening date — start it the moment the lease is signed.

Millwork Lead Times

Custom fixtures carry a 6 to 10 week fabrication lead time. If they aren’t ordered against early, they become the thing that holds up an otherwise finished store — so we order them first, not last.

Accessibility & Code

Barrier-free entry, aisle widths, counter heights and washroom requirements are inspected before occupancy is granted. Retrofitting them the week before opening is expensive and can delay your launch.

Trading Around Construction

For a refresh, we can often phase the work and run disruptive tasks overnight so you keep trading. A full build-out usually needs the space closed — we map the options against your revenue before you commit.

Retail Projects We Take On

Most store projects in the GTA fall into one of three shapes. Here’s what each typically involves:

Refresh & Rebrand

Updating an operating store — finishes, lighting, signage and fixtures without touching base-building systems. The fastest route to a new look with minimal closure.

Standard Fit-Out

Taking a unit to a finished, branded store — flooring, lighting, millwork and finishes coordinated with landlord requirements and your opening date.

Flagship Build-Out

The full brand statement — custom storefront, feature millwork and premium finishes. The most complex scope, and the one where early planning pays off most.

How Long Does a Store Renovation Take?

A cosmetic refresh typically runs 2 to 4 weeks on site, a standard fit-out 6 to 10 weeks, and a full build-out with millwork and storefront work 10 to 16 weeks. Landlord design review and permits add 4 to 10 weeks beforehand, and custom millwork carries a 6 to 10 week fabrication lead time — which is why we order it early rather than at the end.

Serving Toronto & the Greater Toronto Area

GMC Construction Inc. builds retail and storefront renovations throughout Toronto and the GTA — main-street shops, mall units and standalone stores alike. We work with landlords, property managers and franchise coordinators, and we know how each municipality handles retail permits and signage approvals.

Let’s Open Your Store

Whether you’re fitting out a new lease, rebranding an operating store, or building a flagship, we’re ready to help. Call us at 647-450-4466 or request your free, fixed-price quote — and we’ll walk the unit with you and map the schedule against your opening date.

Related Services

Explore our other commercial services across Toronto & the GTA:

Our Process

01. Free Consultation

We start with a free consultation to understand your vision and needs for your renovation.

02. Design

Our team creates a custom design plan tailored to your style and budget.

03. Execution

We handle every aspect of the renovation, ensuring a seamless process from start to finish.

04. Final Walkthrough

Once your renovation is complete, we walk you through your new space to ensure it meets your expectations.

EXCELLENT

Based on 85 reviews

elnaz ghadiri

I recently used GMC Construction for a project, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The team was incredibly professional, responsive, and reliable. They arrived promptly, completed the work efficiently, and the final cost was even better than I expected. Their workmanship and attention to detail were outstanding, and it was clear they have a highly skilled and experienced team. The entire process was smooth from start to finish. I highly recommend GMC Construction to anyone looking for quality work, fair pricing, and excellent customer service. I would definitely use them again!

Ernika Naghizadeh

We had our bathroom done at a very reasonable price! It looks amazing, first time since we’ve gotten such reliable work done in our house! 10/10 experience!

Niall Flynn

Had a great time dealing with Max and the work he did tiling our kitchen! I’d planned to do it myself but decided to hire Max instead and thank god I did because the results were great!

Info Becoming

Reliable and professional company. Communication was clear and timelines were met. Recommend to anyone looking for quality and dependability.

H H

I had an absolutely amazing experience with GMC Construction Inc. You never really know what you’re getting when you take the risk of hiring someone new - but I was pleasantly surprised by the level of care and attention to detail Max put into his work. GMC handled a few repairs in my home, including installing a new sink and fixing my door. I also had a few other fixes that I hadn’t initially discussed, and when I brought them up, Max moved quickly and took care of everything without hesitation. He went above and beyond, spending time to find the right tools, making sure everything ran smoothly, and even following up afterward. Max and his wife are truly a rare find: professional, fair with pricing, and they genuinely care about the quality of their work. Highly recommend if you're debating on who to trust with your home! :)

Krystal

Max was the perfect guy to install things around our home. He showed up on time, was very personable & friendly. He cleaned up any mess he made and did such a fantastic job. I will definitely be hiring him again for anything else that comes up in the future. Thanks again Max! 😊

Ben Bakhtiarynia

Max is a highly professional and knowledgeable contractor. He completed several jobs with expert attention to detail and wonderful efficiency. He is also very friendly and will offer you additional solutions to improve the jobs he starts. I would highly recommend him and his work. He did a beautiful job mounting my TV, soundbar, and making it all look super clean by running the chords through the wall. My entertainment experience has improved so much thanks to his care and hard work.

Staci J

I had the best experience with GMC construction they were very quick and so nice. I had my mirrors installed and old ones removed. Would definitely recommend.