Replacing a sagging beam with a new one, permit in Ottawa?

Replacing a sagging beam is a structural alteration, and the City of Ottawa lists "structural repairs or alterations" as permit work on its building permit projects page. Confirm with the City before any work starts.

Permit and Design

Because a permit is required, someone with design qualifications must prepare any drawings the City asks for. That person can be a qualified, registered designer (BCIN), an engineer or an architect, or you, for a house you own. Many beam replacements are designed by an engineer or a registered designer; ask the City what it will accept for your specific situation.

The permit fee for alterations is $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $117. Construction value covers all materials, labour, overhead and professional fees. By that formula, a $10,000 valuation works out to $127.50. The City sets the valuation, so treat any number you calculate as an estimate.

The order of the work, when the process is the question: design, permit, temporary support, new beam and posts, inspection, then patching and finishing. The designer and carpenter plan where temporary supports go. Book inspections with the City at least 48 hours in advance through My ServiceOttawa.

A few framing minimums from the 2024 Ontario Building Code apply once the beam is sized by the designer: end bearing of at least 89 mm, a wood column at least 140 mm by 140 mm (or 184 mm round) unless calculations show less is adequate, and jack studs beside the opening doubled up to a 3 m span and tripled beyond. The designer sizes the beam itself; no span or size comes from this page.

Ask about the load path too. A sagging beam may point to a problem below it, at the post, the footing or the foundation. Ask the designer how the load is carried down to the foundation before the new beam goes in.

A fair written quote for this job covers each of these paid steps separately: design fees, the building permit, temporary support, materials, labour, patching and finishing, and disposal.

When you have two written quotes side by side, line up the scope in writing, who designs and who pulls the permit, what materials are specified, and what patching and clean-up are included, so you are comparing the same job twice.