Carpentry IQ
Straight answers to Ottawa carpentry questions: when a wall needs a permit, who may design a beam, what the Building Code asks of an interior stair, handrail or guard, and what to ask before you hire.
Browse Carpentry IQ60 questions answered
How wide must a bedroom doorway be in an Ontario house?
A bedroom doorway is designed for at least a 760 mm by 1 980 mm door under the 2024 Ontario...
Permits & the CityDoes Ottawa require a permit to take out a non-load-bearing wall?
The City of Ottawa's "Building permit projects" list includes "adding or removing walls" as permit...
Handrails & GuardsHow high should a stair handrail be inside an Ontario home?
The 2024 Ontario Building Code sets the required height for a handrail on a private stair inside a...
Wall Removal & BeamsHow can I tell if a wall in my Kanata split-level is load-bearing?
Figuring out whether a wall carries load comes down to reading how the house is framed, and a...
Rot & Framing RepairHow do I know if rot in my Blackburn Hamlet house is structural?
Rot becomes structural the moment it has reached a member that carries load: a joist, a sill plate,...
Built-ins & ShelvingAdding built-in bookshelves to a Westboro living room wall?
Built-in bookshelves are a carpentry job with no Building Code dimensions to hit, and built-ins are...
Heritage & Older HomesHeritage approval for interior carpentry in a Glebe heritage district?
If your Glebe home is in a heritage conservation district, that changes which approvals you need,...
Notching & DrillingHow big a hole can a plumber drill through my Ottawa joists?
Plumbing is out of scope here, but the carpentry rule on holes in joists is worth knowing because...
Trim, Baseboard & CrownMDF or solid wood baseboard for an Ottawa home?
Baseboard material is a choice between the carpenter and the homeowner; we found no Ontario...
Interior StairsWhat's the tallest riser allowed on stairs inside an Ontario house?
For private stairs within a dwelling unit, the tallest riser the 2024 Ontario Building Code allows...
Interior Doors & FramesAre hallway doors allowed below 760 mm in an Ontario house?
Table 9.5.5.1. of the 2024 Ontario Building Code sets minimum doorway sizes for dwelling units. For...
Heritage & Older HomesSame-size door swap in a New Edinburgh heritage home, call the City of Ottawa?
The heritage status of your property changes the answer here. For most Ottawa homes, the City's...
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View all recent questionsPopular Questions
How wide must a bedroom doorway be in an Ontario house?
Permits & the CityDoes Ottawa require a permit to take out a non-load-bearing wall?
Handrails & GuardsHow high should a stair handrail be inside an Ontario home?
Wall Removal & BeamsHow can I tell if a wall in my Kanata split-level is load-bearing?
Rot & Framing RepairHow do I know if rot in my Blackburn Hamlet house is structural?
Built-ins & ShelvingAdding built-in bookshelves to a Westboro living room wall?
Heritage & Older HomesHeritage approval for interior carpentry in a Glebe heritage district?
Notching & DrillingHow big a hole can a plumber drill through my Ottawa joists?
Trim, Baseboard & CrownMDF or solid wood baseboard for an Ottawa home?
Interior StairsWhat's the tallest riser allowed on stairs inside an Ontario house?
All Answers by Topic
Hiring & Quotes 5
- Can I hire a carpenter to finish what a previous one left in Orléans?
- Extra carpentry work came up in Stittsville, sign a change order first?
- Lead paint in my 1940s Ottawa home, what should I tell the carpenter?
- Should a carpenter visit my Kanata house before quoting a wall removal?
- What do I send a carpenter so they can price my Manotick stair rebuild?
Costs & Pricing 5
- An interior door replacement quote in Nepean, what belongs on it?
- Does the carpenter's labour count toward my Ottawa permit fee valuation?
- How is the City of Ottawa permit fee worked out for a wall removal?
- What should a quote for removing a load-bearing wall itemize in Ottawa?
- Why can't a carpenter price rot repair until the Ottawa wall is open?
Wall Removal & Beams 5
- How can I tell if a wall in my Kanata split-level is load-bearing?
- Is there an option cheaper than a steel beam for my Ottawa opening?
- Moving a plumbing stack out of a bearing wall in Centretown?
- What does my Gloucester carpenter need from the designer before cutting?
- What holds the ceiling up while a bearing wall comes out in Barrhaven?
Permits & the City 5
- Can my carpenter apply for the Ottawa permit on my behalf?
- Closing in an open stairwell in my Ottawa house, permit needed?
- Does Ottawa require a permit to take out a non-load-bearing wall?
- Replacing the interior stairs in my Westboro house, permit needed?
- Rotted joists being replaced, does Ottawa treat that as permit work?
Interior Stairs 5
- Moving my staircase to a different spot in my Nepean house?
- Spiral staircase up to a loft in my Ottawa home, allowed?
- What load must stairs in an Ottawa house be built for?
- What's the tallest riser allowed on stairs inside an Ontario house?
- Which code limits apply to a curved staircase in an Ottawa home?
Trim, Baseboard & Crown 5
- Crown moulding where walls meet a sloped ceiling in Ottawa?
- Do baseboard heaters get in the way of new baseboard trim in Ottawa?
- MDF or solid wood baseboard for an Ottawa home?
- Stain-grade trim or paint-grade trim, which is harder to install in a Gloucester home?
- Why does new trim look wavy on my Nepean walls?
Built-ins & Shelving 5
- A built-in media wall framed into my Stittsville family room?
- Adding built-in bookshelves to a Westboro living room wall?
- Built-in shelving on either side of a doorway in my Manotick hallway?
- Painted on site or in a shop, how are Ottawa built-ins finished?
- Recessing built-in shelving into a wall cavity in Barrhaven?
Rot & Framing Repair 5
- How do I know if rot in my Blackburn Hamlet house is structural?
- How much rotten wood gets cut out in an Ottawa framing repair?
- Replacing a single rotted stud in an Ottawa wall myself?
- Supporting the house while a rotted beam is swapped out in Vanier?
- What framing goes into closing up an old doorway in a Westboro house?
Notching & Drilling 5
- Cutting through a top plate for a duct in Ontario homes?
- How big a hole can a plumber drill through my Ottawa joists?
- Making a joist deeper to allow a bigger hole, is that allowed in Ontario?
- My HVAC installer cut a joist in my Kanata house, is that OK?
- Where along a joist is notching allowed in Ontario?
Heritage & Older Homes 5
- Asbestos rules for owner-occupiers, do they bind me in my Ottawa home?
- Can lead-painted trim be sanded in my Sandy Hill house?
- Heritage approval for interior carpentry in a Glebe heritage district?
- Is the paint on my 1920s Ottawa trim likely lead-based?
- Same-size door swap in a New Edinburgh heritage home, call the City of Ottawa?
Browse by Topic
Hiring & Quotes
Choosing a carpenter in Ottawa: no City licence and a non-compulsory trade, WSIB clearances, what a written quote should include, and comparing quotes
5 questionsCosts & Pricing
What drives the cost of carpentry work in Ottawa, the City's permit fee formula, and what to ask for as separate lines on a quote
5 questionsWall Removal & Beams
Opening up rooms: the permit, who designs the beam, temporary support, posts and bearing, and what comes after the wall is out
5 questionsPermits & the City
Which carpentry jobs are on the City of Ottawa's permit list, which are exempt, which are not listed, and how the permit fee is set
5 questionsInterior Stairs
Stairs inside a house: rise and run, width, headroom, winders, landings, stringers and treads under the 2024 Ontario Building Code
5 questionsHandrails & Guards
Stair handrail heights and fastening, guard heights inside a house, baluster spacing and the climbing rule
5 questionsInterior Doors & Frames
Interior door slabs, pre-hung doors, jambs, casing, new and widened openings, and the Code's minimum door sizes
5 questionsTrim, Baseboard & Crown
Baseboard, casing, crown moulding, wainscoting and other interior millwork, new or matching what an older house has
5 questionsBuilt-ins & Shelving
Built-in bookcases, window seats, wall units, benches and closet shelving made to fit the room
5 questionsRot & Framing Repair
Rotted sills and joist ends, sagging or damaged joists and studs, structural subfloor repair, and renovation framing
5 questionsNotching & Drilling
How far joists, studs and top plates may be notched or drilled for pipes and wires, and when a member needs reinforcing
5 questionsHeritage & Older Homes
Heritage districts and designated houses, original interior features, and testing old paint and plaster before carpentry starts
5 questions