Insights
Straight answers on commercial construction.
Plain-English guides for owners, tenants and facilities teams in Ontario — what fit-outs cost, how long they take, which contract to use, and how to build without closing. Written by the people who run MARLICON's projects.
How much does a commercial fit-out cost in Ontario?
What a commercial fit-out costs per square foot in Ontario, what drives the number up or down, and how to budget before you have drawings. Published benchmarks, cited.
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Design-build vs construction management vs general contracting
Design-build, construction management or general contracting? How each handles price, risk, schedule and control, and how to choose in Ontario.
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What does a construction manager do?
What a construction manager does on a commercial project in Ontario, how CM fees and open-book trade pricing work, and when CM beats a fixed-price general contract.
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How long does a retail fit-out take?
Typical retail fit-out timelines in Ontario, phase by phase: design, permits, procurement, construction and closeout — and what stretches or shortens each one.
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Renovating a store while it stays open
How to renovate a store, grocery or restaurant without closing: phasing, overnight work, hoarding, dust control and a trading-ready handover.
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Before you sign the lease: a commercial fit-out checklist
A pre-lease checklist for commercial tenants in Ontario: landlord's vs tenant's work, building services, approvals, allowances and what to ask.
Read the guideOntario's Construction Act for owners: holdback and prompt payment
Ontario's Construction Act for owners: 10% holdback and annual release, prompt payment deadlines and adjudication, including 2026 changes.
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