Marcus Adeyemi
Founder & Principal
Red Seal carpenter. Seventeen years running Northforge. Still does the final walk-through on every job he takes.
17 yearsHome / About
Our storyMeet the family behind Northforge.
A small Toronto crew that started in a Mimico garage in 2008. 17 years and 218 projects later, we’re still owner-operated, still answering our own phones, and still proud to say almost half our work comes from past clients calling us back.
17Years building
From the founder
A note from Marcus.
Why I started Northforge.
I framed my first house at nineteen. By twenty-six I was a project lead on twenty-million-dollar builds. Along the way I worked alongside great tradespeople — and I watched the same problems play out over and over: missing crews, padded invoices, finishes rushed at the eleventh hour. Clients on edge for months, sometimes years.
I started Northforge in 2008 because I knew there had to be a different way. We’d be small. We’d be honest. We’d pick up the phone. We’d treat every kitchen reno like it was the only project on the calendar — because for the family living through it, it was.
Seventeen years on, we’re a team of fourteen. I still walk every project. I still hand-pick every client. And if you call after hours, there’s a good chance it’s me on the other end. That’s the firm I wanted to build. That’s what we are.
Marcus Adeyemi
Founder & Principal Contractor
Red Seal Certified Carpenter
$5M Liability Coverage
Ontario License #2098451
17 years. One project at a time.
We’ve grown deliberately, never faster than the quality of the work could keep up. Here’s the short version.
2008
The Garage Year
Marcus incorporates Northforge as a one-person renovation outfit out of a Mimico garage. First job: a kitchen for a co-worker from his old crew. The cheque covered two months of mortgage and a whole lot of belief.
2012
First Full-Home Gut
Hired our second full-time carpenter and delivered our first down-to-studs renovation on a Roncesvalles semi. Twelve years later it’s still our most-referred project of the decade.
2017
First New Build
Took on our first ground-up project: a 2,400 sq ft custom infill in Bloor West. Came in on time and four percent under budget. Built our confidence to keep saying yes.
2020
Light Commercial Division
Added a dedicated commercial fit-out crew after three years of restaurant and retail clients asking us to build out their spaces. We learned to schedule the loud work for hours the neighbours could live with.
2024
Multiplex Program
Launched a dedicated multiplex stream aligned with Toronto’s new as-of-right zoning reform. Focused on transit-oriented infill builds where we can add the most homes to the city.
2026
Where We Are Today
14 people. Six active projects at a time. Still owner-operated, still answering our own phones. Still treating every job like the one that proves we’re worth hiring again.
A small team with deep benches.
Fourteen people total. Three project leads. One founder who still shows up to the site visit. Below: the senior team you’ll meet on day one.
Priya Sharma
Senior Project Manager
Twelve years coordinating residential and light-commercial builds. Runs schedules so tight she once finished a kitchen two days early.
12 years
Jonas Park
Lead Carpenter
Specializes in built-ins, stair work, and custom millwork. The reason our finishing photos look the way they do.
9 years
Daniela Okafor
Site Superintendent
Eight years on commercial fit-outs. Manages trades coordination, deliveries, and the safety binder. Nothing gets past her clipboard.
8 years
Sam Whitford
Estimator
Quantity surveyor by training. Builds the line-item quotes that earn us repeat clients and make accountants happy.
6 years
Rashid El-Amin
Trades Coordinator
Manages our electrical, plumbing, and HVAC partners. Knows every inspector in the GTA by first name.
5 yearsThe paperwork. Done right.
Every licence, every certification, every insurance policy — current, accountable, and available on request.
Ontario Licensed
License #2098451 · In good standing
Red Seal Certified
Founder & senior carpenters
WSIB Compliant
Full crew coverage
Tarion Registered
For all new builds
$5M Liability
Plus builder’s risk on every project
BILD Member
Building Industry & Land Development Assoc.
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited since 2011
RenoMark™
CHBA quality program member
Half our work comes from past clients.
Google Reviews
★★★★★
“Used Marcus for our basement reno in 2019 and called him back for a kitchen this year. Same crew, same quality, same on-time delivery. They’re the only contractor we’ll use.”
AL
Anita Liu
High Park · 2 projects
★★★★★
“Marcus showed up personally to the first site visit. Sent a written quote within a week. Started exactly when he said. Finished early. After two bad contractors before this, Northforge was such a relief.”
MK
Michael Khoury
Etobicoke · Bathroom remodel
★★★★★
“We did a full second-storey addition. Twenty-two weeks of construction. Not one missed Friday update, not one surprise invoice. The work itself is beautiful. Five stars doesn’t feel like enough.”
JT
Jess & Tom Vance
The Beaches · Second storey