Rot and Structural Framing Repair in Ottawa: The Paid Steps
Rot repair has no fair published Ottawa price, and the extent of the damage is not known until the finishes come off. This page lists what you pay for, in order, so each quote can be read line by line. ottawa.ca lists "Structural repairs or alterations" as permit work, so the City's permit fee is the one figure you can estimate yourself.
Reviewed 2026-10-01 · why these pages have no ranges
Paid steps
Rot and framing repair: what a quote pays for, in order
-
Testing before opening upOlder homes
- What it is
- A test of old plaster, paint or other finishes before they are removed.
- On the bill because
- Opening a wall or ceiling disturbs whatever covers the framing. Health Canada lists plaster and paint among older materials that may contain asbestos and advises a professional test before renovating.
- Ask for it itemized
- Whether testing is in this quote or arranged by you.
Health Canada, Asbestos and your health
-
Opening up and assessing
- What it is
- Removing finishes to see how far the rot runs in joists, studs, plates or beams.
- On the bill because
- The extent sets everything after it; a repair price given before the framing is seen can only be a guess.
- Ask for it itemized
- A separate price for opening up and assessing, before the repair is priced.
-
Finding the moisture source
- What it is
- Tracing where the water came from.
- On the bill because
- New framing put back beside the same leak meets the same water.
- Ask for it itemized
- Whether fixing the source is part of this quote or another trade's.
-
Design for load-carrying membersWhere load paths change
- What it is
- A design where a beam or other load-carrying members are replaced or changed.
- On the bill because
- Where the repair changes how load is carried, any design sent with the permit application comes from someone the Building Code Act allows to prepare it. Who may design it
- Ask for it itemized
- Whether the City wants a design for this repair, and who prepares it.
A qualified, registered designer (BCIN), engineer or architect, or you, for a house you own (Div. C 3.2.5.1.(3)(b)).
-
Building permit
- What it is
- The City's permit for the structural repair.
- On the bill because
- Structural repairs are on the City's permit list. Applications go through My ServiceOttawa.
- Ask for it itemized
- Whether the permit application is included in the price.
ottawa.ca, building permit projects
-
Temporary support
- What it is
- Supports that carry the load while damaged members come out.
- On the bill because
- Members being replaced carry load until the new ones are in. The designer and carpenter plan where the temporary supports go.
- Ask for it itemized
- Temporary support priced as its own line.
-
Cutting out and replacing
- What it is
- Removing rotted wood and fitting new joists, studs, plates or beams.
- On the bill because
- We found no Code rule on how much rotted wood is cut out, so ask what the quote assumes. Where joist or beam ends sit in masonry or concrete at or below ground level, they are treated against decay or given a 12 mm air space.
- Ask for it itemized
- How much replacement the price assumes, and how anything beyond it is priced.
OBC 9.23.2.2.(1)
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Inspection
- What it is
- The City's inspection before the repair is covered.
- On the bill because
- Book inspections 48 hours ahead. Closing a repair before its inspection can mean opening it again.
- Ask for it itemized
- Whether the crew waits for the inspection before closing up, and whether that wait is priced.
ottawa.ca, submitting building permit applications
-
Closing up
- What it is
- Subfloor, drywall, plaster or trim put back over the repair.
- On the bill because
- Structural subfloor over repaired joists belongs to this job: plywood or O-2 OSB at least 15.5 mm thick on joists 400 mm apart. Floor coverings are flooring work.
- Ask for it itemized
- Which finishes are put back and which are left for another trade.
OBC Table 9.23.15.5.-A
Totalon your written quote
Get quotes for thisCity permit fee
Work out the permit fee
On the City's permit list: "Structural repairs or alterations".
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
- A price for opening up and looking, before you commit to the repair.
- How extra damage found after opening is priced and approved before work goes on.
- Whether the moisture source is part of this quote.
The contract, cancellation, estimate and holdback rules that apply to every carpentry quote: before you sign any carpentry quote.
More on this work: Rot & Framing Repair
Carpentry IQ answers on this job
- 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?
- Supporting the house while a rotted beam is swapped out in Vanier?
- Rotted joists being replaced, does Ottawa treat that as permit work?
- Why can't a carpenter price rot repair until the Ottawa wall is open?
- Replacing a single rotted stud in an Ottawa wall myself?
Quick answers
Is replacing rotted joists a permit job in Ottawa?
ottawa.ca lists "Structural repairs or alterations" as permit work. Ask the City whether your repair falls under it before the framing comes apart.
How much rotten wood has to be cut out?
We found no Ontario Building Code rule setting an amount. Ask the carpenter, and the designer where there is one, what the repair plan assumes.
Why can't I get a firm price before the wall is opened?
The extent of rot behind finishes is not known until they come off. Ask for the opening-up to be priced on its own, then the repair.
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.