Questions, answered.

It depends far more on scope than on size. As a guide, a finished basement runs about $50–85 per square foot, a mid-range kitchen about $35,000–60,000 and a full bathroom about $20,000–32,000. Try our cost estimator for a ballpark.

Yes. The in-home visit and your itemized, written quote are free, with no obligation. Larger projects that need drawings or engineering before a fixed price can be set are explained up front, before anything is billed.

Usually because they aren’t quoting the same job. Insulation, waterproofing, permits, disposal and finish allowances are often left vague or left out. Our quotes list every line so you can compare fairly.

Likely conditions, like old wiring in an older home, are priced as clear allowances in the quote. If we find something nobody could have seen, we stop, show you, price the fix and only go ahead once you’ve approved it in writing.

For finishes only, usually not. Moving or removing walls, adding or moving plumbing, finishing a basement, building an addition or creating a secondary suite generally needs a City of Ottawa building permit, and electrical work needs an ESA permit. See our permit guide.

On most residential lots with municipal water and sewer, yes. A secondary suite needs a building permit and has to meet requirements for fire separation, alarms, egress and ceiling height. Rural lots on septic need a septic review. See secondary suites.

Yes. An engineer sizes a beam to carry the load, and we install it with temporary shoring and new posts down to proper footings, under a building permit. In many homes the beam can sit flush in the ceiling.

Yes. We prepare or coordinate the drawings and engineering, apply, list the fees on your quote, book every inspection and hand you the closed permits at the end.

Yes. We draw the layout, bring real samples of cabinets, counters, tile and flooring to your home, and put every choice on a finish schedule before we order anything.

Interior projects like basements, kitchens and bathrooms work year-round. Additions are best planned over the winter so digging can start in spring. Whatever you’re planning, starting design early gives permits and long-lead items time to arrive.

Yes, and it often saves money, because the trades are already on site. We sequence the work so you’re never without a kitchen and a bathroom at the same time unless we’ve agreed on it.

On site, a bathroom usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, a kitchen 4 to 8 weeks and a finished basement 6 to 10 weeks. Additions and whole-home renovations run several months. Design, ordering and permits come first, and your quote includes a realistic schedule for both.

For most basement, bathroom and kitchen projects, yes. We seal the work area with dust barriers and protect floors. For a full gut of the main living areas, many families stay elsewhere for the loudest weeks.

Your project lead is your single point of contact and sends a weekly update covering what’s done, what’s next and any decisions coming up. You can call or text them any time.

We renovate homes across Ottawa, including Stittsville, Kanata, Carp, Richmond, Riverside South, Manotick, Greely, Barrhaven, Orleans and Findlay Creek. Not on the list? Call or text and ask.

Yes. Every renovation comes with a written 5-year workmanship warranty, on top of the manufacturer warranties on cabinets, fixtures, flooring and other materials. See our warranty page for details.

Yes. Ryan’s carries full liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and we’re happy to send certificates before any work starts.

Yes. Electrical work is done by a licensed electrical contractor under an ESA permit, and gas work by a licensed gas fitter. Plumbing is done to code and inspected wherever a permit applies.