What is a reasonable range of quotes for similar work?

For Ottawa contractors, you should typically expect quotes for similar work to fall within a 20-30% range of each other, with outliers potentially indicating red flags.

When you're collecting quotes in Ottawa, here's what constitutes a reasonable range and what to watch for:

Normal Quote Variations in Ottawa

For most renovation projects in Ottawa, legitimate contractors should quote within about 20-30% of each other for similar scope and materials. For example, if you're getting bathroom renovation quotes and one contractor quotes $25,000, others should generally fall between $20,000-$32,000 for comparable work and finishes.

The variation comes from differences in overhead costs, profit margins, material supplier relationships, and scheduling availability. Established Ottawa contractors with higher overhead (insurance, WSIB, proper licensing) often quote higher than newer or less established ones.

Red Flags in Quote Ranges

Be extremely cautious if quotes vary by more than 40-50%. A quote that's dramatically lower often indicates the contractor is:

• Not properly licensed (check ESA licensing at esasafe.com for electrical work)


• Missing WSIB coverage (verify at wsib.ca/clearances)


• Planning to cut corners on permits (call City of Ottawa Building at 613-580-2424 to verify what permits are actually required)


• Using substandard materials or methods


• Not including proper cleanup, disposal, or finishing work

Conversely, quotes that are dramatically higher may indicate the contractor is either not interested in the job or is trying to take advantage.

Getting Comparable Ottawa Quotes

To ensure you're comparing apples to apples, make sure each contractor is quoting:

• The same scope of work with identical specifications


• Proper permits through City of Ottawa (ottawa.ca/building)


• All required inspections (ESA for electrical, TSSA for gas work)


• Same material grades and brands where specified


• Identical timeline and cleanup expectations

What Creates Legitimate Price Differences

Valid reasons for quote variations in Ottawa include:

• Different material supplier relationships and pricing


• Varying overhead costs (established contractors with proper insurance cost more)


• Seasonal availability (winter work often costs more)


• Project complexity interpretation


• Different approaches to the same end result

Always verify that lower-priced contractors aren't skipping essential steps like proper permits, ESA/TSSA compliance, or adequate insurance coverage. The cheapest quote often becomes the most expensive when problems arise.

Get at least three quotes from properly licensed, insured contractors, and be very wary of any quote that seems too good to be true - in Ottawa's competitive market, legitimate contractors' prices tend to cluster together for good reason.