In short
- The HomeStars Ottawa guide gives $85–120 an hour for general repairs, and says some firms set a minimum charge.
- An Ontario home repair contract worth more than $50 must be in writing, and an estimate in it caps the final price at 10% over.
- Electrical work in a home goes to a Licensed Electrical Contractor by law.
How to use this page
The questions above come from what people ask before they book a small job in Ottawa. Most answers lean on a public source, named in each one, so you can read the rule yourself.
Two numbers come up again and again in the answers: $50, the contract value above which Ontario wants the agreement in writing, and 10%, which is both the most a bill may run over an estimate written into the contract and the largest down-payment the province suggests.
Three habits cover most of it. Write your jobs as a numbered list, one job per line. Ask for the price in writing and attach the list. Keep the electrical, gas and plumbing lines separate, because those can belong to a regulated trade.
Where to go next
- Prices by job: handyman cost in Ottawa, drywall repair cost, TV mounting cost and furniture assembly cost.
- Who does what: handyman or trade.
- Lists for a purpose: rental turnover repairs and repairs before selling.
- The full range of jobs: the small repairs list.
Each request goes to a single independent company, which calls and sets its own price. How your data is handled is on the privacy page.
Questions people ask
What is Ottawa Handyman Desk?
A request service. You write your jobs once, and the desk sends them to one independent Ottawa company that does handyman work. The pricing, the visit and the work belong to that company; the desk routes the request.
Am I committed once the company calls?
You stay free to say yes or no. The call is where you hear the price and the plan. Ask for the price in writing, with your numbered list attached, before you book.
How fast will the company call?
The company sets its own callback time, and we do not promise one. Photos and a numbered list of jobs help it price the visit during the first call, with fewer follow-up questions.
Which jobs does a handyman take?
HomeStars lists drywall patching, caulking and minor carpentry, plus installing light fixtures, ceiling fans, blinds and shelving. The same guide mentions faucet repairs and replacing switches, outlets or smoke alarms. Large or code-driven work goes to a specialist.
What are Ontario's compulsory trades?
Skilled Trades Ontario counts 23, with plumber and electrician the familiar two. Working in one takes a certificate of qualification, a provisional certificate or a registered training agreement. Skilled Trades Ontario runs a Public Register where you can look a person up.
Is there a minimum charge for a short job?
Often. HomeStars’ Ottawa guide names a minimum fee among the price drivers, sometimes sized as a block of hours, and several Ottawa Taskers on TaskRabbit state two hours. Ask what the minimum is and which of your jobs fit inside it.
Does a farther address cost more?
It can. HomeStars lists travel and call-out fees that grow with distance from the provider. Rural Ottawa addresses are the usual case. Give the full address in the request so the price quoted on the call already includes the drive.
Are materials in the price?
HomeStars lists materials and special tools as a separate cost driver. A quote should say who buys what: you, or the company. Write down any paint, screws, anchors or brackets you already own, so they stay off the bill.
Do prices change with the season?
HomeStars names seasonal demand as a factor and says peak seasons can push prices up. Booking in a quiet week gives you more choice of days. The company that calls you sets its own rate and tells you what applies.
Can I accept an estimate over the phone?
Ontario’s renovation page advises against it: an estimate should come after the contractor has seen the work. A call can open the conversation. For the price, the company should see photos or the room and put the amount in writing.
Do I need three quotes?
Ontario recommends written estimates from at least three contractors. Our form sends your list to one company, so you can also ask others for a price on the same numbered list and compare line by line.
How big a deposit is reasonable?
Ontario’s advice is a small down-payment, 10% at most, with the balance paid once the work is finished. If a company wants more up front, ask why before you sign.
Can I cancel after signing?
Yes, within 10 calendar days, if the contract is worth $50 or more and you signed it at home; Ontario lets you cancel for any reason without fees. If work started inside those days, you owe reasonable pay for work and materials supplied.
Does a small job need a written contract?
Yes, if it is worth more than $50. Ontario law requires a home renovation contract above that amount to be in writing. The province also advises avoiding cash deals, and a signed, detailed receipt if you do pay cash.
How do I check a company's insurance?
Ontario says workers and independent operators in construction must hold WSIB coverage, with some exceptions, and points you to the WSIB to check. We do not vouch for any company, so ask for proof of coverage on the call.
What if the work goes wrong?
Ask the company to fix it in writing first. The Ontario government has a page on how to file a complaint about a contractor and a Consumer Beware List of charges under the Consumer Protection Act. Keep the contract, receipts and photos.
I rent. Can I send a request?
Yes. Say in the request that you rent and who must approve the work. Landlords preparing a unit between tenants can read the guide on rental turnover repairs to see how such a list is written.