Everyday routines
Discuss how the work could affect daily routines, cooking, bathing, pets and access to the rest of the home. Some scope may require temporary loss of rooms.
Residential overview
Residential renovations in Ottawa.
A home renovation begins with everyday life. Share what works, what does not, and the spaces you would like to reconsider.
Discuss your renovation
GCO work
Residential spaces, in detail.
01 / Define the fit
Start with how you want to live.
Describe the rooms, the priorities and what you hope to change. The exact service fit and any required specialist input are reviewed against the project; no blanket inclusion should be assumed.
Kitchen renovations
Planning a kitchen begins with how the room works day to day, not only how it looks.
Bathroom renovations
A useful bathroom scope considers daily routines alongside the work behind the finished surfaces.
Basement renovations
Start with the intended use and the existing space before choosing finishes.
Whole-home renovations
An interconnected renovation needs a coordinated view of the rooms, selections and dependencies.
Load-bearing wall removal
Opening a load-bearing wall needs an engineered beam, temporary support, a permit and careful rerouting of the services inside the wall.
02 / The space around the work
Planning around everyday life.
Work areas & access
Review work areas, deliveries, storage and the movement of people through the property. Dust and noise considerations depend on the actual work.
Occupation & phasing
Remaining in the home is not always feasible. Scope, safe access and interconnected work determine whether phasing or temporary accommodation should be considered.
03 / A useful proposal
What shapes the budget.
A meaningful budget reflects the actual work, rather than a price attached to a room name. Compare what is included, excluded and still to be decided.
- The extent of the renovation
- Existing conditions behind the finishes
- Material and fixture selections
- Layout changes and service work
- Required professional input and access
/ Scope outlineIllustrative example01 / Proposed commercial interior renovation
Define the work.
Make the decisions visible.
- Included work
- Areas, surfaces and services to review
- Operations & access
- Occupancy, deliveries and available work windows
- Assumptions & exclusions
- What needs investigation or a separate scope
- Dependencies
- Landlord requirements, procurement and required reviews
- Change approval
- Scope, price and timing implications
Example project plan · Not a delivered project or contractual promise.
04 / The working relationship
A clear next step at each stage.
01
Discuss
Start with the goals, the property and the timing. Identify what needs review before a proposal.
02
Define
Review the site, scope, assumptions and selections so the proposed work is understandable.
03
Coordinate
Consider the sequence, trades, access and decisions that influence the work.
04
Complete
Agree how the finished work, outstanding items and applicable documents will be reviewed.
05 / Before you enquire
Residential planning questions.
Do general contractors need a licence in Ottawa, Ontario?
Ontario has no single provincial licence for general contractors doing renovations. New home builders must be licensed by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA), electrical work requires a contractor licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), and gas work requires a TSSA-registered contractor. When you hire a contractor in Ottawa, ask for WSIB clearance, liability insurance and the licences held by each trade.
How do I hire a contractor in Ottawa?
Describe the work and your priorities, ask two or three Ottawa contractors for written proposals based on the same scope, compare what is included and excluded, confirm insurance and WSIB clearance, check who obtains the building permit, and agree in writing how changes and payments are handled.
Can I stay in my home during the renovation?
That depends on scope, access and safety. Discuss daily routines and temporary arrangements before agreeing the plan.
Is GCO a residential general contractor in Ottawa as well as commercial?
Yes. GCO leads with commercial renovations and tenant fit-ups, and also takes on residential projects in Ottawa, including kitchen, bathroom, basement and whole-home renovations.
Do you handle both residential and commercial work?
GCO welcomes residential and commercial project enquiries in Ottawa. The exact service fit is reviewed against the work you describe.
Do I need to decide every finish before enquiring?
No. Start with priorities and identify which selections are still open. Selection timing may become a schedule dependency.
The next conversation
Tell us what you’re planning.
Share a few details about the space, the work you have in mind, and your timing.