Orleans · Ottawa east
Renovation contractor in Orleans.
Open-concept main floors, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and secondary suites across Orleans, from Convent Glen and Queenswood Heights to Avalon and Cardinal Creek. Free in-home consultations.
Renovating in Orleans
Built for Orleans homes.
Much of Orleans was built between the 1970s and the 1990s, in neighbourhoods like Convent Glen, Queenswood Heights, Fallingbrook and Chapel Hill, with newer growth in Avalon, Notre-Dame-des-Champs and Cardinal Creek. The older two-storeys and split-levels tend to have separate living, dining and kitchen rooms, and removing a wall or two to open the main floor is one of the biggest upgrades they can get.
Many of these homes also have original bathrooms and basements that were finished decades ago, often with wood panelling, carpet laid straight on the slab and little real insulation. We strip those back, fix any moisture issues and rebuild them to today’s standards.
Orleans sits partly on Leda clay, a sensitive marine clay found across eastern Ottawa. It mostly matters for additions, deep excavation and homes near the creek ravines, where a geotechnical check may be needed before a foundation is designed.
Renovation permits in OttawaOrleans neighbourhoods we serve
- Convent Glen
- Queenswood Heights
- Fallingbrook
- Chapel Hill
- Avalon
- Notre-Dame-des-Champs
- Cardinal Creek
- Bilberry Creek
- Orléans Village
- Wall removal for open, bright main floors
- Kitchen renovations with islands
- Basement redos insulated properly this time
- Bathroom remodels tubs to walk-in showers
Projects
Recent renovations
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Ryan's project
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Ryan's project 
Dark kitchen with a marble-look waterfall island
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Ryan's project 
Bathroom and laundry with a wood slat wall
Local know-how
Before you renovate in Orleans
The house, the lot and the rules all shape a Orleans renovation. These are the things we check first.
- Leda claySensitive marine clay in parts of eastern Ottawa can affect foundations for additions.
- Split-levelsHalf-storey layouts make open-concept changes trickier; beams and stairs need careful planning.
- Old basement finishesPanelling and carpet over bare concrete often hide moisture. We check before we rebuild.
- Ravine lotsHomes backing onto creek ravines can have slope-stability setbacks for additions.
Can you redo a basement that was finished years ago?
Yes. Older basements were often finished without proper insulation or vapour control. We strip back what’s needed, fix any moisture issues and rebuild properly.
Do I need a permit to renovate in Orleans?
Orleans is part of the City of Ottawa, so City building permits apply: finishes in the same layout usually don’t need one, but removing walls, moving plumbing, finishing a basement, building an addition or creating a secondary suite generally does, and electrical work needs an ESA permit. We handle the applications.
How much does it cost to open up a main floor?
Removing a load-bearing wall with an engineered beam usually costs about $8,000–20,000 including engineering and the permit, depending on the span and what’s in the wall. A full open-concept main floor with new flooring and lighting is often $60,000–120,000 or more.
Can you open up a split-level?
Often, yes. The half-levels mean more planning around stairs and beams, but walls between the kitchen and living room can usually come out with the right engineering.
Services
Renovation services in Orleans
Not sure which one fits? Call or text and describe the project; we’ll point you in the right direction.
Basement finishing in Orleans
Rec rooms, gyms, offices and bedrooms, warm and dry.
Kitchen renovations in Orleans
Layouts, islands, cabinets and counters under one contract.
Bathroom renovations in Orleans
Waterproofed showers, vanities and heated floors.
Home additions in Orleans
Rear, side and second-storey additions, engineered to tie in.
Whole-home renovations in Orleans
Gut renovations and open-concept main floors.
Secondary suites in Orleans
Legal basement apartments and in-law suites.
Nearby
Also renovating near Orleans
Ottawa
Older homes, plaster walls and main floors ready to open up.
Findlay Creek
Newer homes with bare basements and builder-grade finishes.
Greely
Estate homes on well and septic, additions and basements.
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
- Mon–Fri, 7:30 am – 5 pm
- Ottawa
- Stittsville
- Kanata
- Carp
- Richmond
- Riverside South
- Manotick
- Greely
- Barrhaven
- Orleans
- Findlay Creek
Request a free quote
Tell us a little about your project. Rough sizes, photos you can text us later and your timing all help.