Renovation contractor in Muskoka.
Muskoka cottages and homes ask a lot of a renovation crew: long drives, seasonal schedules and buildings that have settled for decades. Garland Contracting handles framing, insulation, drywall, flooring and finish carpentry from Huntsville to Gravenhurst.
An old cottage, opened up
A cottage built decades ago settles. Floors slope, walls lean and the original framing carries loads it was never sized for. A renovation opens that history. We look at the framing before we plan the new work, and we repair or reinforce what needs it.
The photos show framing with insulation, and a ceiling above a stairwell. Both come from our work. Stair openings and ceilings are places where a renovation often meets structural questions.
Beamwork for open plans
Many cottage owners want an open main room. Removing a wall or widening an opening needs a beam that carries the load above. Dylan Garland has close to twenty years in the trades, including beamwork. We install beams and the framing around them, and a building official can confirm the requirements for your property. Send photos of the room and a description of what you want to open up.
Insulating and finishing a seasonal building
A cottage that you want to use in more seasons needs insulation in the walls, floors and ceilings. We install it, hang and finish drywall and lay flooring that suits the use. Hardwood, laminate and subfloor work all sit on our list. Trim and doors finish the space.
- Insulate walls, floors and ceilings
- Hang and finish drywall
- Install hardwood, laminate and subfloor
- Fit trim, doors and finish carpentry
- Handle winterization and seasonal repairs
Planning around a seasonal calendar
Many Muskoka owners want renovations done between visits. We plan the scope in winter, order materials in spring and finish before the busy summer season, or we start after Labour Day. Tell us your calendar when you send photos. We build the schedule around it.
From Sprucedale, Huntsville is 41 km by road, Rosseau 54 km, Baysville 65 km, Bracebridge 75 km, Dorset 78 km, Port Carling 85 km and Gravenhurst 90 km. Tell us about the laneway and where a truck can unload.
Luxury homes and detailed interiors
We work on high-end homes and cottages across Muskoka. These interiors carry a lot of trim, tight joints and long sight lines, where a gap shows. Dylan walks larger jobs, measures the details and sets the price himself. Send photos of the spaces, any plans you have and your timeline.
What to send for a renovation quote
- Photos of each room from two corners
- Plans, if you have them
- A list of what you want to change
- Your calendar: when you open, when you close, when guests visit
- The laneway and the place to unload
Send those to (705) 238-8634. Larger projects get a visit from Dylan.
Flooring for a cottage
Cottage floors go through a lot: sand, wet feet and long closed periods with swings in humidity. Hardwood moves with moisture, so installation matters. Laminate resists scratches and handles wet feet better than most wood. We install hardwood, laminate and subfloor, and we repair a subfloor that has sagged or rotted. Tell us how you use the cottage and how much traffic the floor sees.
Drywall, ceilings and stairwells
Cottage ceilings and stairwells need careful drywall work. High ceilings take scaffold, and sloped ceilings need cut and fitted sheets. Seams need several coats of compound and sanding between them. The photo above shows a ceiling above a stairwell from our work. We take our time on those surfaces, because they show under raking light from a window.
Finish carpentry in a cottage
Cottage interiors often use wood on the walls and ceilings, with trim that matches. We fit baseboard, casing, window returns and doors, and we build shelving and benches. When a cottage has older, uneven walls, we scribe trim to fit the surface rather than force a straight line. Send photos of the rooms and the trim you have now.
Communities we reach near Muskoka
Muskoka properties sit between 41 and 91 km from our base. Road distances from Sprucedale:
| Community | Road km from Sprucedale |
|---|---|
| Huntsville | 41 km |
| Rosseau | 54 km |
| Port Sydney | 56 km |
| Dwight | 60 km |
| Baysville | 65 km |
| Bracebridge | 75 km |
| Dorset | 78 km |
| Windermere | 78 km |
| Port Carling | 85 km |
| Gravenhurst | 90 km |
| Port Sandfield | 91 km |
Permits
Muskoka's six municipalities each run a building office. The Township of Muskoka Lakes says you need a building permit when you construct or demolish a building, and its building department takes questions at 705-765-3156. Changes to structure often need a permit, while finish work often does not, and the building official decides. We check what applies when we quote. See the main renovations page for the full list of work.
Questions about renovations in Muskoka
Do you renovate older cottages?
Yes. We repair and reinforce old framing, insulate, finish drywall, install flooring and fit trim.
Can you open up a cottage floor plan?
Yes, when the structure allows it. We install beams and framing to carry the load.
Can you finish a renovation before the summer season?
Often. Send photos in winter and we plan the scope and schedule around your calendar.
Do you handle winterization?
Yes. We handle cottage winterization and seasonal repairs.
Can you finish a cottage renovation before opening day?
Often. Send photos in winter and tell us your opening date. We plan the scope and the schedule around it.
Keep reading
Renovations in other areas
- Renovations: all service areas
- Renovations in Almaguin Highlands
- Renovations in Sprucedale
- Renovations in Huntsville
- Renovations in Parry Sound
More work in Muskoka
Request a free quote or call (705) 238-8634. Page updated October 27, 2026.