Some projects begin with uncertainty, stress, and a lot of unanswered questions.

This was one of them.

The client contacted Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry regarding a property she owns in Etobicoke — an older house that, at the time, was not habitable at all. The condition of the exterior was a major concern, starting with the front entrance.

The Problem – A Property in Serious Disrepair

At the front of the house, the main entrance consisted of very old precast concrete steps that were no longer safe to use. The porch slab was severely cracked, allowing water to penetrate and leak directly into the cold room below, creating long-term structural and moisture issues.

The client was overwhelmed. She knew something had to be done, but she wasn’t sure where to start or which solution was actually correct.

The situation didn’t improve at the rear and side of the house.

There were additional stairs in extremely poor condition, and even more concerning, a concrete block wall that was no longer structurally sound. The wall was essentially unusable and at risk of collapsing at any moment.

With safety, structure, and liability all on the line, the client reached out to us.

Why She Chose Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry

By the time she contacted us, the client already had three other quotes for the project.

What made the difference wasn’t price alone.

Our sales process goes far beyond sending a number by email or text.

For projects of this scale and complexity, we ask our clients for something different — time. We ask if they can give us about an hour so we can sit down together, often inside the home at the dining table, and walk through the project properly.

Using our iPads and work laptops, we:

• Show real projects with the same structural problems
• Review 15–20 detailed process photos
• Explain each step of the solution clearly
• Discuss why certain shortcuts should never be taken

The client doesn’t just hear that we’ve done this before — they see it.

That visual proof, combined with nearly 400 five-star Google reviews, builds real confidence. It removes uncertainty.

Out of four total quotes:

• One was cheaper
• Two were more expensive
• One was close to our price
• The most expensive option was far beyond reasonable

She chose us for the balance of quality, transparency, and fair pricing.

Front Entrance Demolition & Reconstruction

Once the contract was signed, we got to work.

The first phase involved demolishing nearly the entire front entrance of the home. Projects like this are never simple — there are always surprises in older structures — but none of it was unfamiliar territory for us.

It simply requires time, patience, and doing things the right way.

We rebuilt the front area from the ground up:

• Constructed a new reinforced concrete block wall
• Properly formed and poured a new porch slab
• Built new concrete stairs
• Installed a new concrete sidewalk, improving both access and appearance

Every step was done with structural integrity, drainage, and long-term durability in mind — not just aesthetics.

Rear & Side Structural Repairs

Once the front was complete, we moved to the rear and side of the house.

In this area, almost nothing was salvageable. Existing elements were unsafe and unsuitable for repair.

We proceeded with:

• Full demolition of the damaged structures
• Removal of unstable materials
• Construction of new concrete block walls
• Fresh concrete pours designed for strength, safety, and longevity

This phase was critical, as it addressed serious structural risks that could have led to future collapse if ignored.

The Final Touch – One Company, One Complete Solution

What truly sets Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry apart is that we are both masonry and railing specialists.

City code requires railings for these types of stairs and elevations — and instead of the client having to coordinate two separate companies, we included the required railings directly in our scope and price.

That meant:

• One contract
• One timeline
• One point of responsibility

A true win-win.

The client didn’t have to manage multiple trades, and the project flowed smoothly from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

This project was not easy — but it was necessary.

It transformed a property from unsafe and uninhabitable into a structurally sound, code-compliant, and functional home.

At Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry, we understand that large concrete and structural projects can feel overwhelming. That’s why we focus on education, transparency, and proven experience, not pressure.

If you’re dealing with serious concrete or masonry issues and don’t know where to begin, we’re always happy to sit down, explain your options, and show you exactly how we solve problems like yours — step by step.