Renovation cost in Ottawa: bathroom, kitchen and basement ranges for 2026
Published ranges for the three rooms people renovate most, side by side, with the fixed costs that sit on top of them. Each figure names where it was published.
In short
- 01Bathroom: $7,000–$12,000 refresh, $15,000–$30,000 mid-range, $40,000–$55,000+ high-end (HomeStars Ottawa, August 2026).
- 02Kitchen: $15,000–$30,000 basic, $30,000–$60,000 mid-range (HomeStars Canada); one Ottawa firm lists $25,000–$50,000 mid-range.
- 03Basement: $35,000–$95,000; a 700–900 sq ft mid-range finish usually $50,000–$75,000 (HomeStars Ottawa).
- 04Renovation work in Ottawa averages $120–$180 per sq ft in HomeStars' city table.
- 05On top: a City permit at $12.75 per $1,000 of work and a 10–15% contingency.
Typical ranges
Source Seen 29.10.2026: HomeStars, Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide for Ottawa (updated 21/08/2026); HomeStars, 2026 Basement Renovation Cost Guide for Ottawa (updated 21/08/2026); HomeStars, How Much Does a Home Renovation Cost in Canada 2026 (updated 21/08/2026); Done Right Renovations, How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in Ottawa in 2026? (published 28 May 2026); City of Ottawa, Comprehensive Building Code Fee Schedule (January 1, 2026); Ontario, Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs; Ontario, Your rights when signing or cancelling a contract
What to ask before you book
- Q1Which band of these ranges does my job sit in, and why?
- Q2Which lines are allowances, and what happens if my choice costs more?
- Q3Is the permit fee in your price, or billed separately?
- Q4What contingency do you suggest for a house of this age?
- Q5Is your estimate written into the contract?
Before the visit
- A budget ceiling, including tax and a contingency.
- The scope: refresh, rebuild in place, or rebuild with changes.
- Photos and rough measurements of each room.
- The year the house was built.
- Any finishes you already picked, with links or model numbers.
Three rooms side by side
| Room | Lower band | Mid-range | Top band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | $7,000–$12,000 | $15,000–$30,000 | $40,000–$55,000+ | HomeStars Ottawa, 2026 |
| Kitchen | $15,000–$30,000 | $30,000–$60,000 | $80,000+ | HomeStars Canada, 2026 |
| Basement | from $35,000 | $50,000–$75,000 (700–900 sq ft) | up to $95,000 | HomeStars Ottawa, 2026 |
For kitchens, one Ottawa renovation firm publishes $15,000–$25,000 for a small refresh, $25,000–$50,000 mid-range and $50,000–$75,000 and up for a custom kitchen. The HomeStars Ottawa kitchen table is from 2021, so the national guide and the local list are the current references.
Room pages with the details: bathroom, kitchen, basement.
What moves a quote inside the band
- What moves. In a bathroom, relocated plumbing adds $1,500–$5,000. In a kitchen, each relocated plumbing or gas connection adds $1,000–$3,000.
- Finish level. Installed bathroom tile runs from $9 per sq ft for ceramic to $50 for marble or glass. Kitchen counters run $20–$155 per sq ft installed.
- Age of the house. HomeStars notes that older Ottawa houses, in areas such as the Glebe, Westboro and Old Ottawa South, often need panel upgrades, subfloor work or structural fixes once opened.
- Labour. HomeStars puts labour at 30–50% of a renovation budget, with trades billing about $80–$150 an hour.
- Season. HomeStars’ Ottawa bathroom guide describes December to March as slower for contractors, and indoor work as unaffected by the cold.
The lines on top of the room
Three costs sit on top of the room itself:
- Permit. $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, $117 minimum. The value counts materials, labour, overhead and professional fees. A $30,000 job comes to about $383; plumbing-only work is $117.
- Contingency. 10–15% of the project, held back for what the walls reveal.
- Management. A general contractor running the trades charges 10–20% of the project in HomeStars’ Canada guide. Ask whether that is inside the quote or a separate line.
Reading two quotes side by side
Two quotes only compare when they describe the same job. Line them up on scope (refresh, rebuild in place, rebuild with changes), on which items are fixed and which are allowances, and on whether the permit and contingency are inside the price.
Ontario’s rules help here. A renovation contract over $50 must be in writing. The province recommends a deposit of no more than 10% and never paying the full amount before the work is done. When the estimate is part of the contract, the final price can be at most 10% above it unless you agree to a new price.
Who you are dealing with
Ottawa Reno Desk passes your work order to one independent local renovation company. The ranges on this page describe the market; the company that sees your room gives its own quote.
Questions
01What does renovation cost per square foot in Ottawa?
HomeStars’ 2026 Canada guide lists Ottawa at $120–$180 per square foot for renovation work, against $150–$250 for Toronto. Kitchens and bathrooms cost more per square foot than other rooms because of cabinetry, tile, fixtures and plumbing.
02How much contingency should I keep?
HomeStars’ guides put a normal contingency at 10–15% of the project. Older houses tend to reveal more once walls open: moisture, outdated wiring or old plumbing.
03What is the City permit fee on a $30,000 renovation?
$12.75 for each $1,000 or part of it, so about $383. Plumbing-only work is a flat $117. Starting before the permit is issued adds 50% to the fee.
04What does a general contractor add on top?
HomeStars’ Canada guide puts a general contractor’s management fee at 10–20% of the project. It covers running the trades and the schedule. Ask whether it is built into the line prices or shown as its own line.
05Where does the money go: labour or materials?
HomeStars’ Canada guide puts labour at 30–50% of a renovation budget, with trades billing about $80–$150 an hour. Materials take 30–40% on a whole-home job, and premium finishes can double the material budget.