Ottawa winters are unforgiving — and the homes that handle them best are prepped by the end of October. This complete winter 2026-2027 home preparation guide walks through every system that needs attention before December: heating, insulation, plumbing, roof, exterior protection, and emergency readiness. Specific pricing, contractor types to call, and DIY-vs-pro guidance for each task.
**Furnace annual service** ($150-$250): Licensed G2 technician should clean burners, check heat exchanger for cracks, test gas valve operation, replace filter, verify CO sensor calibration. Book by mid-October — November HVAC technicians are emergency-mode only. **Chimney inspection** ($150-$300) if you have a wood or oil heating system. **Heat pump pre-season service** ($150-$300): check refrigerant charge, defrost cycle, and electrical connections.
**Attic insulation upgrade** ($2,000-$5,000 for typical Ottawa home, eligible for $1,500 Canada Greener Homes rebate). Most pre-2000 Ottawa attics have R-30 to R-40 vs OBC current minimum of R-60. **Air sealing** ($800-$2,500) addresses the air leaks that account for 25-40% of winter heat loss — most cost-effective single winter prep. **Window weatherstripping inspection** — DIY, $50-$150 in supplies for a typical home.
**Shut off and drain outdoor hose bibbs** (DIY, October weekend). **Drain irrigation system** ($150-$300 professional, or DIY if you have manuals). **Inspect pipes in unheated spaces** (garage, crawl space, exterior walls in cold corners) — insulate any exposed pipes ($25-$75 in foam sleeves). **Test sump pump** before winter — replace any 7+ year-old pumps ($350-$650 installed).
**Professional roof inspection** ($150-$300) if your roof is 15+ years old. Check for missing/curled shingles, sealant deterioration around penetrations, flashing condition. **Eavestrough cleaning** ($150-$400 professional, DIY-able with caution): essential to prevent ice dams. **Check for ice-dam vulnerabilities** — inadequate attic ventilation or insulation creates ice dams every Ottawa winter. **Heat cables** ($600-$1,500 installed) only as a band-aid for known problem areas.
**Caulk inspection** around windows, doors, and any wall penetrations — re-caulk failures ($50-$200 DIY for typical home). **Deck winterization**: Remove furniture, sweep clear of leaves, ensure under-deck drainage isn't blocked. **Outdoor faucet drains**. **Storm windows installed** if you have them. **Driveway sealing if asphalt** ($300-$800) — done by mid-October before temperatures drop below 10°C.
**Snow shovel + ergonomic pusher** purchased before mid-November (sells out by first storm). **Ice melt stockpile** (calcium chloride works to -28°C, magnesium chloride to -15°C — avoid sodium chloride near concrete and steel). **Snowblower service** ($75-$150) if you own one — fuel stabilizer, spark plug, belt inspection. **Snow removal contract** for driveway and walkways ($350-$800 seasonal for typical Ottawa property).
Begin in late September, completed by end of October. November is too late for outdoor work (cold-weather caulk failures, drained irrigation systems can freeze partially), and December emergency repairs cost 2-4x normal rates.
Furnace annual service is the highest-priority item — a cracked heat exchanger or failing burner discovered in February is a heat-loss emergency that costs 3-5x normal service rates and risks CO poisoning.
Many tasks yes: shutting off hose bibbs, basic caulking, eavestrough cleaning (with safety precautions), CO detector testing. Hire pros for: furnace service, electrical, roof inspection if you don't feel comfortable on the roof, anything involving gas, and any sealed combustion appliance.
$500-$1,500 for routine annual prep (furnace service, eavestrough cleaning, chimney inspection, weather stripping). $2,500-$8,000 if you're tackling insulation upgrades, plumbing improvements, or roof work as part of fall maintenance.
Highest risks: frozen burst pipes ($3,000-$15,000 damage), furnace failure during cold snap (emergency replacement at premium rates), ice damming from inadequate insulation ($5,000-$25,000 roof and interior damage), CO incident from un-serviced heating equipment.