HowWeBuild
A complete, honest walkthrough of every stage — plus the value engineering system that helps every client get more home for their money. No black boxes. No surprises. Every budget welcome.
Direct Answer
Wexler builds custom homes and renovations across Toronto in six phases — discovery, design, permits, construction, inspections, and handover — with total project timelines of 18–30 months. The firm's value engineering system leverages 25 years of supplier relationships to access pricing 20–35% below retail, with full line-item budget transparency.
"How Do You Build This for That Price?" — We Get Asked That All the Time. Here's Our Honest Answer.
Okay, let's be real. When most people hear "custom home builder" or "luxury renovation," they immediately picture something that only a small percentage of the population can afford. And honestly? That reputation isn't entirely undeserved — a lot of builders out there have made this industry feel exclusive, opaque, and a little intimidating.
We're Robby and Mark, and after 25 years of building homes in the GTA, we've made it our personal mission to change that perception — not with marketing spin, but with a system that actually makes your home more affordable without cutting a single corner on quality.
It starts with relationships — real ones, built over decades.
Here's something most builders won't tell you: a big chunk of the cost of your home isn't materials or labour — it's markup. Suppliers charge retail to builders who buy occasionally. We've been buying at volume from the same suppliers for over two decades. Our plumbing supplier. Our window manufacturer. Our tile distributors. Our millwork shops. These aren't transactional relationships — they're partnerships built on trust, repeat business, and mutual respect.
The result? We regularly access pricing that's 20–35% below what you'd find at a retail building centre. And unlike some builders, we don't pocket that difference as hidden margin. We pass it to you. Openly. With line-item transparency on your budget.
Value engineering software — not just a buzzword.
We use a proprietary value engineering process at the design stage of every project. Before a single permit is filed, we run your design through a detailed analysis that identifies where you're spending more than you need to — and where spending more is absolutely worth it.
For example: a double-height foyer is stunning. But it also costs significantly more in framing, HVAC, and finishing than a standard-height entry. Is it worth it to you? Sometimes yes, absolutely. Other times, that same budget creates something far more meaningful in a different part of the home. We have that conversation with you early — not after the framing is up and it's too late to change.
Similarly, not all materials are created equal in terms of value. There are specifications where premium is non-negotiable: structural elements, waterproofing, mechanical systems. And there are areas where a slightly different specification gives you 95% of the visual result at 60% of the cost. Knowing which is which comes from experience. We have 25 years of it.
We don't overbuild. We also don't let you overbuild.
This one surprises people. One of the ways we protect your budget is by being honest when you're about to over-invest for your neighbourhood. In real estate, there's a concept called "overbuilding" — spending significantly more on a home than the market will ever recognize in resale value. A $3M home in a $2M street doesn't become worth $3M just because you built it that way.
We tell clients this when it applies — even when it means a smaller contract for us. Why? Because our reputation is built on clients who feel great about their investment for decades, not clients who feel burned five years after we handed them the keys.
We scale to your budget. Every budget.
Whether you're doing your first significant renovation or building a forever home, we've built a process that scales. We can build beautifully at $400K and extraordinarily at $4M. The methodology is the same — smart design, right materials, trusted trades, full transparency. The scope adapts to what you're working with.
If you're a first-time buyer wondering whether any of this is accessible to you — yes. Call us. That conversation costs nothing, and you might be surprised what's possible with the right team in your corner.
"We thought we couldn't afford a renovation like this. Robby sat with us for an hour, showed us where we could save and where we shouldn't, and we ended up with something we never thought possible — on a budget we were comfortable with."
— A client from Leaside
Below is a complete, phase-by-phase walkthrough of how a Wexler project works — from the first conversation to the day we hand you the keys.
Six phases. Full transparency.
Every project starts with a sit-down with Robby and Mark directly — not a salesperson. We want to understand how you actually live: how you entertain, how your family moves through spaces, what drives you crazy about your current home, and what your dream version looks like.
We ask hard questions upfront: What's your realistic budget? What's your timeline? Are there site constraints, heritage overlays, or zoning issues we need to know about? This conversation shapes everything that follows, and it's the reason our clients tell us we delivered exactly what they were hoping for — even when the final product looks nothing like what they originally described.
- Site visit and assessment
- Preliminary budget discussion
- Scope of work outline
- Project feasibility review
Most cost overruns in construction happen because decisions get deferred to the construction phase. We fix this by front-loading the design process. Our integrated approach means the builder and designer are working from the same set of plans from day one — not discovering conflicts after the walls are up.
We work closely with your architect (or recommend trusted Toronto residential architects) and align on every design decision before permitting begins. Interior design coordination — cabinetry, tile, lighting, millwork — starts here, not later. The result is fewer change orders, faster construction, and a home that reflects your vision rather than what was easiest to build.
- Architectural plans and elevations
- Interior design coordination
- Material and finish selections
- Engineering and structural review
Permitting in Toronto is one of the most unpredictable parts of any project — and one of the areas where inexperienced builders lose the most time. We've built 200+ homes in the GTA. We know which inspectors require what, which amendments speed approval, and how to structure applications to minimize back-and-forth.
While permits are in process, we're not sitting idle. We're finalizing the construction schedule, pre-ordering long-lead materials, lining up trade partners, and completing site preparation. By the time permits are issued, we're ready to move.
- Permit application and management
- Site preparation and demolition
- Subcontractor coordination
- Long-lead material ordering
This is where the home comes to life. Mark is personally on-site throughout construction — not a site supervisor you've never met. You'll receive weekly progress updates with photos, a clear picture of where the schedule stands, and advance notice of any decisions that need your input.
We work exclusively with trade partners we've vetted over decades. Electricians, plumbers, framers, finish carpenters — these are people we trust with our reputation. We don't use the lowest-bidder model. We use tradespeople who share our standard.
Change orders happen on every project. When they do, we document them clearly, price them transparently, and get your sign-off before proceeding. You will never discover a surprise on the final invoice.
- Foundation and structural work
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough-in
- Insulation and drywall
- Finish carpentry, millwork, tile
- Painting, fixtures, and final finishes
Before we walk you through the finished home, we walk it ourselves — with the same critical eye you'd apply if you were paying for every detail (because you are). Our internal punch-list process is thorough by design. We'd rather find the issue than have you find it.
Municipal inspections are coordinated and managed by us. We also provide the documentation required for Tarion (new home warranty) enrollment, HPO compliance, and any engineer sign-offs required by your lender or insurer.
- Municipal inspection coordination
- Internal quality walk-through
- Deficiency resolution
- Tarion/HPO enrollment documentation
On handover day, you receive a complete home package: all warranties, manuals, as-built drawings, paint codes, material specs, and trade contacts. We walk through the home with you in detail so you understand exactly how every system works.
Our fit and finish warranty covers workmanship defects for the first year — and we actually honour it. If something needs attention, you call Robby or Mark directly. Not a warranty department. Not a call centre. The same people who built your home.
- Complete home documentation package
- Final walkthrough and orientation
- 1-year fit and finish warranty
- Direct contact with Robby and Mark
Common Questions
From first meeting to key handover, most custom homes in Toronto take 18–30 months total. Design and permitting typically take 6–12 months. Construction takes 8–18 months depending on scope and size. We provide a detailed schedule before you sign, and we update it weekly throughout the build.
We manage this proactively rather than reactively. Before construction begins, we price every element thoroughly and build a contingency into the budget (typically 5–10%). If a change order arises, we price it transparently, present it to you, and require your written approval before proceeding. You will never see a surprise on your final invoice.
Yes — but changes become more expensive the later they happen. A design change before framing is inexpensive. The same change after drywall is up can cost 5–10x more. We encourage clients to resolve as many decisions as possible during the design phase for exactly this reason.
You can bring your own architect, or we can recommend trusted residential architects we've worked with successfully across Toronto and the GTA. The most efficient projects use architects we have an existing relationship with — it reduces coordination friction and catches constructability issues early.
Both are personally involved on every project. Robby manages client relationships, vision alignment, and project oversight. Mark is on-site during critical phases and personally reviews every stage of construction. You'll have their direct contact information from day one.
Walk through our process with us directly.
A 30-minute conversation with Robby and Mark is all it takes to understand whether we're the right fit for your project.
Follow the Build
Get an inside look at Toronto's most extraordinary custom homes — straight from the principals themselves.
Follow Robby for behind-the-scenes looks at custom home builds, design decisions, and life on the job site across Toronto.
Follow Mark for construction craftsmanship, renovation transformations, and the precision that goes into every Wexler build.