How many inspections are needed during a renovation?

The number of inspections during an Ottawa renovation depends on your project scope, but most renovations require 2-4 City of Ottawa inspections plus additional ESA/TSSA inspections for electrical and gas work.

For typical Ottawa renovations, here's what you can expect:

City of Ottawa Building Inspections:

• Footing/Foundation inspection (if applicable) - before concrete pour


• Framing inspection - after rough framing, before insulation


• Insulation inspection - before drywall installation


• Final inspection - after all work completed

ESA Electrical Inspections (Required for all electrical work):

• Rough-in inspection - after electrical rough wiring, before drywall


• Final electrical inspection - after fixtures installed and energized


• Cost: approximately $100-200 per inspection

TSSA Gas Inspections (If gas work involved):

• Rough-in inspection - for new gas lines


• Final gas inspection - after appliance connections


• Required for furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, fireplaces

Kitchen Renovation Example:
A typical Ottawa kitchen reno might need 6-8 inspections total: 2-3 City building inspections, 2 ESA electrical inspections, and 1-2 TSSA gas inspections if you're installing a gas range or moving gas lines.

Bathroom Renovation Example:
Usually requires 4-6 inspections: 2-3 City inspections (especially if moving plumbing), 2 ESA inspections for new electrical (GFCI outlets, exhaust fans, heated floors), and potentially TSSA if installing a gas water heater.

Scheduling Tips for Ottawa:
Call City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 to schedule inspections at least 24-48 hours in advance. ESA inspections can be booked online at esasafe.com or by calling 1-877-372-7233. TSSA inspections are scheduled through your licensed gas technician.

What to Watch For:
Never let a contractor tell you inspections aren't needed - this is a major red flag. All contractors should know Ottawa's inspection requirements and build inspection scheduling into their timeline. Failed inspections mean delays and additional costs, so ensure your contractor understands local code requirements before starting work.

Your contractor should handle scheduling all required inspections and be present during each one. The City of Ottawa typically allows 2-3 business days between inspection request and actual inspection date, so factor this into your project timeline.