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Heritage Renovations In Ottawa
Heritage renovations in Ottawa come with a different set of challenges than a standard build.
OGC has spent over a decade working in the city's older neighbourhoods and we know what these houses look like inside: outdated wiring, heritage permit layers, and original details that are worth keeping.
One designer, one project manager, one team from assessment through final walkthrough. Fixed pricing, no surprises, and a 7-year warranty on every project.
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Ottawa's Older Homes Need a Different Approach
Heritage and older homes in Ottawa have details worth keeping and problems worth solving. OGC has been navigating both for over a decade.
The homes are worth keeping
Ottawa's older homes are the good ones. A house built in the Glebe in 1920 or Westboro in 1938 has solid bones, thick walls, and character you can't replicate in new construction.
Renovating them is a different job than renovating a home built in 2005. The layouts, the materials, the systems — all of it needs a contractor who's worked in these houses before.
What makes them harder to renovate
Behind those plaster walls you'll often find knob-and-tube wiring, lead or cast iron pipes, and very little insulation. Open a load-bearing wall and there's a good chance the header wasn't built for what you're planning.
If the property carries a heritage designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, changes to the exterior and sometimes specific interior features need City approval before work can start. OGC handles all of it.
The Problems We See Most in Ottawa Heritage Homes
Every older Ottawa home comes with its own surprises. These are the ones we run into most often.
Properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act have an extra approval layer before work can start. Depending on the designation, the City reviews planned changes to the exterior and sometimes specific interior elements. OGC manages this process from first submission to final sign-off.
Homes built before the 1960s typically have knob-and-tube wiring, cast iron or lead plumbing, and walls with little to no insulation. These systems can't just be renovated around. They need to be assessed and often replaced. We build this into the quote from the start so there are no surprises mid-project.
In a 90-year-old house, opening a wall can turn up rotted sills, pest damage, or framing that was never built for the load it's been carrying. We've seen all of it. We set aside a contingency budget upfront so a discovery doesn't stop the job or derail your number.
Heritage homes often have baseboard profiles, crown moulding, window casings, and plaster details that haven't been manufactured in decades. When preserving or extending those character details matters to you, it takes custom millwork and experience with period-specific materials. We have both.
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How an Ottawa Heritage Renovation Actually Works
Here's what happens from your first call to the finished home.
We come to your home and look at what you have. We'll walk through the scope you're thinking about, assess the existing systems, and talk through what's realistic given the age of the house and your budget. You'll leave with a rough range before we do anything else.
- In-home visit at a time that works for you
- We assess wiring, plumbing, insulation, and structure
- Rough budget range provided at no cost
You work with our designer on layout, finishes, and materials. For heritage homes this includes sourcing matching millwork profiles, choosing finishes that suit the period, and deciding where to preserve original features. Your full quote is locked in before anything starts.
- Visit our Ottawa design centre at 1886 Merivale Road
- 3D renderings of your renovation before work begins
- Full itemized quote locked in before any work starts
We pull all required City of Ottawa building permits. For designated heritage properties, we handle the heritage permit applications and manage communication with City staff throughout.
- OGC submits and tracks all building permits
- Heritage Act applications managed by OGC where required
- Electrical and plumbing permits included
Older homes need slower, more deliberate demolition. We identify what's there before it comes out: original materials worth saving, hidden structural issues, and mechanical systems that need updating. Any discovery is documented and reviewed with you before work continues.
- We protect the rest of your home throughout the process
- Salvageable original materials are set aside where possible
- Mechanical upgrades are scoped and run in this phase
Once the systems are updated, we build. For heritage homes, this is where the craft work happens: custom millwork, period-appropriate finishes, and details that respect the age of the house while bringing it up to current standards.
- Structural, mechanical, and carpentry work
- Custom millwork and heritage-appropriate finishes
- New plumbing, electrical, and insulation where required
Your project manager walks through the finished home with you. Any touch-ups get handled before we leave. Your 7-year warranty paperwork is handed over at the end.
- Full quality check by your project manager
- City permit inspections booked and attended by OGC
- 7-year warranty paperwork provided at handover
Our Renovation Portfolio
A sample of heritage and older home renovations we've completed across Ottawa.
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Why Ottawa Homeowners Choose OGC
For over a decade, OGC has been Ottawa's most reviewed design-build renovation firm, with 200+ verified reviews across Google, Houzz, and HomeStars.
One Team, Start to Finish
One dedicated project manager runs your entire renovation. No handoffs, no gaps. Reach them directly by phone or text throughout the whole project.
See It Before We Build It
Every renovation starts with a full 3D render so you can see your home before a single wall comes down. Change layouts and finishes before we build, not after.
Fixed Pricing, No Surprises
What you're quoted is what you pay. No hidden fees, no mid-project change orders. OGC's price-match guarantee backs every contract.
Industry-Leading 7-Year Warranty
OGC backs every renovation with a 7-year warranty on all workmanship. One of the strongest in Ottawa. An older home is a long-term investment. Your peace of mind should match.
Ottawa's Most Recognized Renovation Team
OGC is a member of the NKBA, Tarion, GOHBA, RenoMark, CHBA, and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and has been named Ottawa's Small Business of the Year. Our work has been featured on CTV, HGTV, and in Ottawa press.
Visit Our Design Centre
Not sure where to start? Come to 1886 Merivale Road, Nepean and sit one-on-one with a specialist. See materials and finishes in person. No pressure, no commitment.
What Does an Ottawa Heritage Renovation Cost?
Heritage renovation costs vary more than standard renovations because what's behind the walls is unknown until you open them. Here's how Ottawa homeowners typically budget, and what drives the number up or down.
kitchen, bathroom, or basement in an older home
with mechanical upgrades throughout
structural, mechanical, and character work
Mechanical Systems
Wiring, plumbing, and insulation upgrades are the biggest variable in older home renovations. In homes built before 1960, these systems often need to be largely replaced. The cost depends on what's there and how much of the house you're touching.
Structural and Carpentry Work
Load-bearing changes, new headers, and custom millwork drive a significant part of the labour budget in heritage homes. Older framing isn't always where it should be, and remediation work adds time. This is where experience matters most.
Heritage Details and Finishes
Matching original millwork profiles, sourcing period-appropriate tile, or restoring original hardwood all cost more than standard materials. They're also what makes the finished home feel right. We help you decide where those investments make the most sense.
Ottawa Heritage Neighbourhoods We Work In
OGC completes heritage and older home renovations across Ottawa's character neighbourhoods, including:
no-obligation quote
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Visit us
1886 Merivale Road #200, Nepean, ON K2G 1E6Sit with a specialist and visit our design center.
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