Most Ottawa homeowners get bitten by contractor quotes because they compare apples to oranges. One contractor quotes premium tile; another quotes builder-grade. One includes permits; another doesn't. This guide walks you through getting 3 truly comparable quotes for any Ottawa renovation.
Document every room, every fixture, every finish in writing. Include: room dimensions, count of items (outlets, lights, sinks), specific brand/model of any owner-selected fixtures, finish materials with model numbers if you know them, removal/disposal scope, working hours allowed, deadline. A 2-page scope produces 3 comparable quotes; a verbal 'redo my kitchen' request produces 3 wildly different quotes.
For undecided finishes, set an 'allowance' — a budget number contractors include. Example: 'Tile allowance $12/sq ft supply.' All three contractors quote the same allowance, so labour pricing is comparable. When you select actual product, you settle the difference. Without allowances, one contractor assumes $4 tile and another assumes $25 tile, blowing the comparison.
Phone screen 6-8 contractors; pick best 3 for site visits. Phone screen questions: years in business, types of projects (match your scope), $5K-$2M+ insurance, WSIB clearance, can they start within your window, can they share 2 recent client references with similar scope. Skip anyone evasive on these.
Walk each contractor through the project. Standard questions: timeline from contract signing to start, projected completion date, payment schedule preference, change-order markup percentage, warranty terms in writing, who's the on-site project manager (not just the sales rep). Take notes; you'll forget details across 3 visits.
Use a spreadsheet. Columns: line item, Contractor A, B, C. Rows: each scope item, allowances, exclusions, payment terms, timeline, warranty. Red flags: missing line items (means it'll be a change order later), lump-sum-only with no breakdown, allowances below market rate.
Don't auto-pick the lowest. Middle quote is usually best-calibrated. Ask the middle and highest to match the lowest on specific items (if those items are truly comparable scope). Confirm scope inclusions/exclusions one more time before signing. Always sign a written contract — Ontario Consumer Protection Act gives you 10-day cooling-off period on direct sales but not on homeowner-initiated contracts.
Always 3 for any project over $5K. Two leaves you blind to outliers; four+ wastes everyone's time. Phone-screen 6-8 to identify your 3 best candidates for site visits.
Phone screening: 2-4 days. Site visits: 1-2 weeks (scheduling). Quote return: 1-3 weeks. Total: 4-6 weeks from start to signed contract on most renovations.
No — share scope, not budget. Sharing budget invites contractors to quote up to your number. Get quotes first, then discuss budget in negotiation if you need to adjust scope.
Not always, but usually. Lowest quotes commonly indicate: missed scope items (becomes change orders), inexperienced contractors, no proper insurance, financial trouble (deposit-funded operation). Middle quote is statistically the best-calibrated.
Scope mismatch is the cause 90% of the time. Re-issue scope with more specificity (brands, sizes, finish levels) and ask outlier contractors to re-quote. Real apples-to-apples Ottawa quotes typically vary 15-25%, not 50%.