Real advice. Written by
the people doing the work.
Two posts a month, written by hand. Permits, real Ottawa pricing, design trade-offs, and the calls we make on actual jobsites. Quality over volume.
Cost & PricingBathroom Renovation Cost in Ottawa — 2026 Breakdown
TL;DR — Standard Ottawa bathroom renovations run $15,000–$30,000 in 2026 before HST. Powder rooms start ~$5k, ensuites $25k–$40k+, basement baths $35k+. Add 13% HST and a 10–15% contingency on top.
Aus N. · Jun 5, 2026 · 8 min
Cost & PricingKitchen Renovation Cost in Ottawa — 2026 Breakdown
TL;DR — Standard Ottawa kitchen renovations run $35,000–$60,000 in 2026 before HST; custom kitchens hit $90k–$150k+. Plan for 13% HST and a 10–20% contingency to land on a realistic all-in number.
Aus N. · Jun 5, 2026 · 9 min
KitchensModern, Transitional, or Traditional? Kitchen Design Styles for Ottawa Homes
TL;DR — Most Ottawa kitchens land in one of three styles — modern, transitional, or traditional. Transitional shaker dominates because it matches the trim in most post-1990s homes and costs the least to build well.
Aus N. · Jun 4, 2026 · 7 min
Permits & CodeDo you need a permit for your Ottawa bathroom remodel? A plain-English checklist
TL;DR — Cosmetic refreshes usually skip permits, but moving plumbing, framing, or electrical means a City of Ottawa building permit (and ESA for electrical). Reputable contractors pull it for you.
Aus N. · Jun 2, 2026 · 6 min
Cost & PricingHow Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Ottawa? (2026)
TL;DR — Most full Ottawa bathroom renovations run $15,000–$40,000 in 2026 (average ~$25,000). Labour is 40–65% of the bill; lock a fixed price and keep a 10–15% contingency.
Aus N. · Jun 1, 2026 · 8 min