Drywalling a basement in Ottawa costs roughly $6,500 to $13,000 for a typical 800–1,000 square foot space in 2026 — that is about $2.60 to $4.25 per square foot of board supplied, hung, taped and finished to Level 4. If you also need framing and insulation before the board goes up, add approximately $9 to $18 per square foot of floor area, bringing a 900 sq ft basement to roughly $17,000–$29,000 for framed, insulated and drywalled walls and ceiling. Basements cost more per square foot than upper floors because of low headroom, concrete-fastened framing, bulkheads over ducts and beams, and the ...
Basement drywall is priced on board area, which in a basement usually works out to about 2.5 to 3 times the floor area once perimeter walls, partitions, the ceiling and bulkheads are counted. For a 600 sq ft basement — common in older Ottawa semis and townhomes — expect roughly $4,500–$8,500 for drywall only. An 800 sq ft basement typically runs $6,000–$11,000, a 1,000 sq ft basement $7,500–$13,000, and a large 1,400 sq ft suburban basement in Barrhaven or Orléans $10,500–$18,000. Those ranges a...
A drywall basement ceiling costs roughly $4.00–$6.00 per square foot finished and looks best, but buries access to plumbing and wiring. A suspended acoustic ceiling runs about $6–$11 per square foot installed and keeps mechanical access open — a genuine advantage under older Ottawa plumbing.
Drywall is the last step in the wall assembly, and in Ottawa basements the layers underneath drive most of the total cost. A code-compliant basement wall typically includes a moisture break against the concrete, rigid foam or spray foam continuous insulation, a 2x4 stud wall, batt insulation where used, and an air/vapour control layer detailed correctly for a below-grade wall. In 2026 Ottawa pricing, framing runs about $4–$8 per square foot of wall, rigid foam $2.50–$5 per square foot, and close...
Basements have specific material rules that affect both cost and safety. Moisture- and mould-resistant board is standard in basement bathrooms, laundry rooms and along any wall with a history of dampness; it costs about $10–$15 more per sheet than regular board and is cheap insurance below grade. Where a basement includes a furnace or mechanical room, and in any shared wall or ceiling separating a secondary dwelling unit, the Ontario Building Code requires rated assemblies typically built with 5...
If you are creating a secondary dwelling unit, fire separation, egress windows and smoke-alarm interconnection requirements apply, and inspections are stricter. Those requirements change the drywall spec and can add several thousand dollars, so establish the intended use before pricing the job.
Finishing a basement in Ottawa requires a building permit whenever you are framing new walls, adding a bathroom, altering plumbing or electrical, or creating a new bedroom or dwelling unit. Permit fees for a basement finish typically fall in the several-hundred-dollar range depending on area, and the City reviews your layout for ceiling height, egress, and fire separations. Electrical work is governed separately by the Electrical Safety Authority, which requires its own notification and inspecti...
There are legitimate ways to trim basement drywall costs. Keeping the layout open and minimizing partition walls reduces board area directly. Choosing a suspended ceiling in the mechanical zone while drywalling the main recreation area gets you a clean look plus access where it matters. Doing your own demolition of an old, damaged basement finish can save $1,200–$3,000 in labour and disposal — Ottawa junk-removal bins run about $350–$600. Scheduling in late fall or winter, the slower season for ...
In 2026, drywalling a typical 800–1,000 square foot Ottawa basement costs about $6,500–$13,000 for supply, hanging, taping and Level 4 finishing. That works out to roughly $2.60–$4.25 per square foot of board area, which is usually 2.5 to 3 times the floor area.
Framing, insulation and drywall together run about $9–$18 per square foot of basement floor area in Ottawa, so a 900 square foot basement typically lands between $17,000 and $29,000 for walls and ceiling. Electrical, plumbing, flooring, doors and trim are additional.
You need a City of Ottawa building permit if you are framing new walls, adding a bathroom, creating a bedroom or dwelling unit, or altering plumbing or electrical. Electrical work also requires a separate Electrical Safety Authority notification and inspection. Rough-in inspections must pass before drywall is installed.
Use moisture- and mould-resistant board in bathrooms, laundry areas and any wall prone to dampness, and 5/8" Type X fire-rated board where the code requires a rated assembly, such as around a furnace room or separating a secondary dwelling unit. Regular board is acceptable in dry living areas.
Drywall costs about $4.00–$6.00 per square foot finished and gives the cleanest look, but it seals off pipes and wiring. A suspended acoustic ceiling costs about $6–$11 per square foot and keeps mechanical access open, which is often worth it in older Ottawa homes.