Layout changes
Keeping the sink, toilet, range and walls where they are is the single biggest saving. Every fixture that moves brings new drains, supply lines, venting or wiring with it.
Ottawa cost guide · 2026
What does a renovation cost in Ottawa?
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, and the scope matters far more than the size. Here’s what moves the number, with common projects and an estimator you can play with.
Estimator
Price per square foot
Choose a project and a finish level, then drag to the size of the space for a ballpark range. Prices include labour, materials, trades and standard permits.
| Project | Per sq ft | Typical project | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basement finishing | $40–115 | $45,000–75,000 | 6–10 weeks |
| Kitchen renovation | $200–540 | $35,000–60,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Bathroom renovation | $360–880 | $20,000–32,000 | 2–4 weeks |
| Home addition | $260–610 | $130,000–180,000 | 3–6 months |
| Whole-home renovation | $120–370 | $270,000–500,000 | 3–9 months |
| Legal secondary suite | $90–215 | $90,000–130,000 | 8–14 weeks |
Why such a wide range?
A basement rec room on a dry, open slab with simple finishes sits at the bottom of each range. The same space with a bathroom cut into the slab, a new egress window, moved ductwork and premium flooring sits at the top.
Examples
Common projects, priced.
Installed ranges, before HST, for the projects we’re asked about most. They use the same rates as the estimator, rounded to the nearest $500.
| Project | Size | Essential | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basement · open rec room | 700 sq ft | $28,000–47,500 | $35,000–59,500 | $47,500–80,500 |
| Basement · bedroom, office & bathroom | 1,000 sq ft | $40,000–68,000 | $50,000–85,000 | $67,500–115,000 |
| Kitchen · same footprint | 150 sq ft | $30,000–48,000 | $37,500–60,000 | $50,500–81,000 |
| Main bathroom · 5 × 8 ft | 40 sq ft | $14,500–21,000 | $18,000–26,000 | $24,500–35,000 |
| Primary ensuite · walk-in shower | 100 sq ft | $36,000–52,000 | $45,000–65,000 | $61,000–88,000 |
| Rear addition · one storey | 320 sq ft | $83,000–115,000 | $104,000–144,000 | $140,500–194,500 |
| Legal one-bedroom suite | 800 sq ft | $70,500–102,500 | $88,000–128,000 | $119,000–173,000 |
What changes the price
Six things that move your number
Size and finish level are obvious. These six explain most of the gap between two quotes for the same room.
Structure
Removing a load-bearing wall, building an addition or cutting a new door or egress window into a foundation means engineering, beams, footings and more inspections.
Mechanical systems
New circuits, a panel upgrade, extended ductwork or a second heating system for a suite. Older homes often need more of this than they appear to.
Finish level
Cabinet line, counter material, tile size, fixtures and flooring. The same layout can be built at very different price points, and we’ll show you where the money goes.
Behind the walls
Old wiring, galvanized pipes, asbestos-containing materials, rot or a damp foundation. We price likely conditions as clear allowances so they aren’t surprises.
Permits & design
Drawings, engineering, City of Ottawa permit fees and ESA. They’re listed as their own lines on your quote, so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.
Spend smarter
How to get more renovation for your budget
A good renovation doesn’t have to be the most expensive one. These are the trade-offs we talk through with most clients before anything is drawn.
We’d rather tell you at the first visit that a refresh will do than sell you a gut renovation you don’t need.
Read the full cost article- Keep the plumbing where it is. A new kitchen or bathroom in the same layout saves more than any finish downgrade.
- Spend where you touch. Put the budget into counters, drawers, faucets and flooring; keep the hidden parts solid but simple.
- Do the invisible work once. If walls are open, update wiring, plumbing and insulation now rather than reopening them later.
- Phase with a master plan. Build in stages if you need to, but draw the whole house first so phase two never undoes phase one.
- Hold a contingency. Set aside 10–15% for older homes, where opening a wall can reveal work nobody could see.
- Decide before demolition. Every selection made before we start is one less change order and one less delay.
FAQ
Renovation cost questions
Want a real number? Call or text 613-806-4000 to book a free in-home visit and an itemized quote.
Is the estimator price a quote?
No. It’s a ballpark based on typical Ottawa projects. Your exact price comes from a free in-home visit, where we measure, look at the structure and systems, and talk through layout and finishes. You’ll get an itemized, fixed-price quote afterwards.
Do your prices include permits and design?
We prepare or coordinate the drawings and engineering and handle the permit applications. City of Ottawa permit fees and any engineering are listed as separate lines on your quote, so you can see exactly what each one costs.
How much contingency should I hold?
For newer homes and simple scopes, 5–10% is usually enough. For older homes, or projects that open a lot of walls, we suggest 10–15%. Likely hidden work is already priced as an allowance in our quotes; the contingency covers the genuinely unknown.
Is it cheaper to renovate or to move?
It depends on the house and the market, but moving carries land transfer tax, real estate commissions, legal fees and moving costs before you’ve changed a single room. For many families, finishing the basement or renovating the kitchen gets them the home they want for less.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A deposit secures your start date and orders materials, with progress payments tied to clear milestones and the balance due at your final walkthrough. The exact schedule is written into your quote.
Free quote
Call or text for a free quote.
613-806-4000Talk to the people who'll actually build your renovation. Prefer to write? Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day.
- Call 613-806-4000
- Text 613-806-4000
- hello@ryanscontracting.com
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