Free Carpenter Matching Walls, Stairs, Doors, Trim & Built-ins Interior Carpentry Across Ottawa
Find a Carpenter

Framing for a Renovation in Ottawa: New Walls, Openings and the Paid Steps

Too few Ottawa prices are published for renovation framing to quote a fair range. This page lists what you pay for, in order, when walls are added, moved or closed in above the basement. ottawa.ca lists "adding or removing walls, i.e., creating different room sizes and/or uses" as permit work, so the City's fee is the one figure you can estimate here. Basement framing and additions are not covered on this site.

Price rangeToo few published prices to quote

Get quotes for this

Reviewed 2026-10-01 · why these pages have no ranges

Paid steps

Renovation framing: what a quote pays for, in order

  1. The plan

    What it is
    A plan of where new walls, doors and openings go.
    On the bill because
    The permit application and the quote both work from it. If a loadbearing wall changes, the design rule for beams applies. Who may design it
    Ask for it itemized
    The plan attached to the quote.

  2. Building permit

    What it is
    The City's permit for the new layout.
    On the bill because
    Applications go through My ServiceOttawa, and once an application is complete the City says it needs about five working days to review the documents.
    Ask for it itemized
    Who prepares and submits the application.

    ottawa.ca building permit FAQ

  3. Studs, plates and blocking

    What it is
    The framing lumber for the new walls.
    On the bill because
    A wall that carries no load can use lighter studs than a loadbearing one under the Code's stud table, so knowing which kind of wall each one is changes the material list.
    Ask for it itemized
    The stud size and spacing the quote assumes.

    OBC Table 9.23.10.1.

  4. Framing labour

    What it is
    Building the walls plumb and tying them to the floor and ceiling framing.
    On the bill because
    All members are framed, anchored, fastened, tied and braced to provide the necessary strength and rigidity.
    Ask for it itemized
    Labour priced apart from material.

    OBC 9.23.2.1.(1)

  5. Door and other openings

    What it is
    Framing around new doorways and pass-throughs.
    On the bill because
    In a non-loadbearing wall, 38 mm material the same width as the studs frames each opening. In a loadbearing wall, openings greater than the required stud spacing are framed with lintels designed to carry the loads above to the adjacent studs. No lintel size is given here.
    Ask for it itemized
    Each opening listed, with whether its wall is loadbearing.

    OBC 9.23.12.1.(1); 9.23.12.2.(1)

  6. Holes and notches for other trades

    What it is
    Wiring, pipes and ducts passing through new and existing framing.
    On the bill because
    Joist holes are no larger than a quarter of the joist depth and at least 50 mm from its edges. Loadbearing studs keep two thirds of their depth undamaged and non-loadbearing studs 40 mm, unless reinforced.
    Ask for it itemized
    Who looks over the other trades' cuts before the walls are closed.

    OBC 9.23.5.1.(1); 9.23.5.3.(1)

  7. Framing inspection

    What it is
    The City's look at the framing before it is covered.
    On the bill because
    At key stages the work must be inspected. Book 48 hours ahead so drywall does not wait on it.
    Ask for it itemized
    Whether the schedule leaves room for the inspection before drywall.

    ottawa.ca, submitting building permit applications

  8. Disposal

    What it is
    Hauling away off-cuts and any demolition debris.
    On the bill because
    Opening old walls produces debris, and hauling it away is a cost of its own.
    Ask for it itemized
    Whether debris removal is included.

Totalon your written quote

Get quotes for this

City permit fee

Work out the permit fee

On the City's permit list: "adding or removing walls, i.e., creating different room sizes and/or uses".

Estimated feeThe fee is $12.75 per $1,000 or part thereof of the valuation, with a minimum fee of $117.

Estimate only; the City sets the valuation. How the fee is worked out

Ask before you sign

  • Which walls are new, which come out, and whether any of them carry load.
  • Who books and attends the framing inspection.
  • Whether drywall is in this quote or a separate trade's.

The contract, cancellation, estimate and holdback rules that apply to every carpentry quote: before you sign any carpentry quote.

More on this work: Renovation Framing

Carpentry IQ answers on this job

Quick answers

Does a new partition wall need a permit in Ottawa?

ottawa.ca lists "adding or removing walls" as permit work, with no exception for partition walls. Ask the City before you build.

Can the plumber or electrician drill through my framing?

Within limits: joist holes are no larger than a quarter of the depth and at least 50 mm from the edges (9.23.5.1.(1)), studs keep the share of their depth set in 9.23.5.3.(1), and trusses are not cut unless their design allows it (9.23.5.5.(1)).

Want this done at your place?

Tell us about your carpentry job and we'll send it to local Ottawa carpenters, who reply by email. We send it out to local contractors for you. Free, no pressure.

Fields marked are required.

We won't call you. There's no phone box above because we don't ask for one: your estimate comes by email, on your time.

Request received We’ve sent your details to local Ottawa carpenters. Interested carpenters reply by email. A confirmation is on its way to your inbox.
Find a Carpenter