Who We Are

History

 

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. He also felt this would be a company built for the long-term rather than one designed — like too many renovation companies — to cash in on the home improvement boom.

 

The philosophy remains true today, and Penguin Basements is constantly looking to improve our standards, materials, and processes to lead the industry forward, and to offer a better product to our customers.  We call this our Smart Basements™ approach. In addition to winning the Basement Renovation of the Year Award in 2019, we are multiple Consumer’s Choice and HomeStars Best award-winner and more importantly, a BILD and Renomark™ certified company that continues to be fortunate enough to be professionally recognized and customer referred.

 

Penguin Basements has been fortunate enough to see our growth double year-over-year, since our inception. Over 80% of our builds are a result of friends, family, and neighbours referring us.

 

We don’t need to inflate any expectations; we provide three design concepts, a clear fixed price, and a dedicated Project Manager to act as your single point of contact to resolve any construction issue that may arise. We are dedicated to building not just better basements, but a better renovation company through the Japanese philosophy of “kaizen” which means change for the better or constant improvement. That is, we always strive to be a better company, year over year.

Mission

 

Make great basements, on-time, with next generation service, old school craftsmanship and affordable for all by employing the best people, the best processes and the best materials available to deliver our customers a better-built basement.

Vision

 

We aspire to inspire change in an evolving industry. By becoming the standard bearer in the basement renovation industry, we can promote quality materials, professional trades, honest pricing, and better communication standards to create customer advocates and inspire our competitors.

Core Values

 

Penguin Basements is proud to be a recognized member of Renomark™ and we embrace the member’s code of conduct as our own:

 

  • Be a member in good standing of the local Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
  • Abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics.
  • Provide a detailed, written contract (including the scope of work) for all jobs.
  • Offer a minimum two-year warranty on all work.
  • Carry a minimum of $2 million liability insurance.
  • Have coverage for workplace safety and employers’ liability and work only with subcontractors who carry such coverage.
  • Carry applicable licenses and permits.
  • Have access to information, education, training and professional development through membership in the Association.
  • Maintain a safe and organized worksite.
  • Return phone calls within two business days.

 

Our Penguin standards mean we provide quality and service you can count on.  With all of our construction standards either meeting or exceeding the current building codes.  And we follow our own code of conduct as well.

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The Penguin Basements Code of Conduct

Honesty

 

We strive to be honest in our dealings with subcontractors and our clients.   To do so means admitting errors if they crop up, and making things right instead of making excuses.  It also means we will only use materials meant for the unique environment of a basement.  And that we will approach any project, large or small as systematically as possible, and with our clients’ goals and needs always in mind.  We build every basement as if it is our own because frankly, it is.

Integrity

 

You’re the boss and we are your specialists, the professionals.  We build a space with your needs in mind while keeping to local building code requirements, industry and Renomark™ standards and our own demanding principles.

Transparency

 

We believe that it is our duty to provide you with a proper inspection, creative design, and estimate.  Our estimates are provided with a detailed scope of work that includes a line-by-line itemized breakdown.  Our all-inclusive approach sets a fair and realistic budget to get the job done on time and on budget.  Transparency extends through our client’s ability to log on to our internal site through a customer portal to access their own project notes, images, progress charts and service tickets throughout the project.  We consider it a great way for you to get involved with the build without getting covered in dust.

Respect

 

We understand that we are likely building an entire floor right beneath your feet.  While we can be in close quarter’s, working long hours with a variety of trades we never lose sight of the fact that it’s your home.  As we respect our homeowners, we share the same respect amongst ourselves and the trades.  We are all accountable for the finished product and the experience during construction.  Part of our commitment to respecting your and your home is dust management and the inclusion of protective mats, zipper tarps and a disposal bin on location at all times.  Our project managers are assigned to your home, your project and are responsible on your behalf for ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Respect works both ways though, and we expect our customers to treat our people and the build process with respect as well. When we all get along, projects move along quickly.

Warranty

 

We know our products are the best and best-suited for a basement environment, which is why we offer limited lifetime warranty on our vinyl flooring and wall-boards.  Our vinyl flooring is water and scratch resistant and will ensure you will not experience more than 0.001% expansion or contraction in any condition, and our wall-board is mold-resistant.

We also provide our clients with a 2-year service warranty.  This becomes valid from the date of your project completion, as outlined in your project completion package.

 

Questions about warranties?

 

Give us a call.  We cater to our clients with a 24-hour service line – 416-633-7180

What Our Customers Are Saying

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