In short
- The City of Ottawa advises redirecting downspouts to permeable ground 3 metres from the foundation and keeping a sump pump outlet at least 1.2 metres away.
- HomeStars prints $120–$550 for routine maintenance such as gutter cleaning, and $250–$900 for outdoor jobs such as fence repair and deck upkeep in Ottawa.
- Fences not enclosing a pool, and decks less than 24 inches above grade (except at the main entrance), need no City building permit.
- Any project that breaks ground, fence posts included, needs a free utility locate requested at least five business days ahead.
Typical prices in Ottawa
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal tasks (storm windows, roof shingle check) | $120–$350 | HomeStars Ottawa handyman guide |
| Routine maintenance (gutter cleaning, minor landscaping) | $120–$550 | Same guide |
| Outdoor maintenance (garden clean-up, fence repair, deck upkeep) | $250–$900 | Same guide |
| Deck, patio or fence cleaning and maintenance | Hourly rate plus materials | HomeStars Gloucester, Ottawa page |
| Yard and garden upkeep | $50–$100 | HomeStars Gloucester, Ottawa page |
Sources. Prices: HomeStars, How Much Does a Handyman Cost in Ottawa?, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026; HomeStars, Handyman in Gloucester, Ottawa, seen 29.10.2026. Rules: City of Ottawa, How to prevent basement flooding, seen 29.10.2026; City of Ottawa, Projects not requiring Building Permits, seen 29.10.2026; Ontario Dig Authority, seen 29.10.2026.
Start where the water goes
Spring in Ottawa is about meltwater. The City of Ottawa’s flood advice gives the steps that matter outside the house: seal window wells and cracks in floors, walls and the foundation, slope the ground away from the foundation, and clear snow away from the walls so the melt does not seep in.
Walk the perimeter after the thaw. Note low spots against the foundation, gaps around window wells and any downspout that ends at the wall. Photograph each one. The photos become the list.
Downspouts and drains
The FAQ gives the City’s distances for downspouts and the sump pump outlet. The City pairs redirection with rain barrels, rain gardens or soak-away pits, and a sump pump may also discharge to the storm sewer.
The two City rebate programs in the FAQ can cover part of this work. A backwater valve is plumbing work: see the regulated trades on handyman or trade. Keep leaves and grass clippings off the street, the City says, since they plug the drains.
Fences, gates and decks
Winter heave and ice load fences. Leaning posts, split rails and sagging gates go on the list with a rough count. Permit-free, per the City: a fence around a yard with no pool inside it, and a low deck (under 24 inches) away from the main entrance. A pool fence is covered by the Pool Enclosure By-law 2013-39, so mention a pool in the request.
Post holes break ground, so the five-business-day wait for a free locate goes into the spring calendar.
Doors, windows and the building envelope
Exterior caulk cracks in the freeze-thaw cycle, and door seals flatten. The jobs are small: re-caulking window frames, replacing weatherstripping, adjusting a door that dragged on the sill in winter. See caulking and grout, weatherstripping and drafts and door and trim repair. A same-size door or window swap is on Ottawa’s permit-free list. Roof and chimney work goes to a roofer.
What it costs
HomeStars’ Ottawa handyman guide puts seasonal tasks at $120 to $350, routine maintenance such as gutter cleaning and minor landscaping at $120 to $550, and outdoor maintenance such as garden clean-up, fence repair and deck upkeep at $250 to $900. Its Gloucester page prices deck, patio and fence cleaning at the hourly rate plus materials. Spring bundles make sense: one visit for the fence, the caulk and the door seals costs one minimum charge. For the full picture see handyman cost in Ottawa.
Timing in the Ottawa spring
Frozen ground delays fence posts, and wet ground delays everything near the foundation. Ask the company when the ground allows the work, and send the request as soon as the snow is off the yard. Put the locate request first on the calendar.
Who takes the spring list
One independent local company receives the request from the desk. It calls, prices the list, sets the order of visits and does the work. Ask it which jobs it passes to a trade, and get the quote in writing.
Questions to ask the company
- Which jobs on my list can wait for a second visit, and which should go first?
- Does the price cover materials, hauling and disposal of old boards?
- Will you request the utility locate before any fence post goes in, or do I?
- Which jobs do you pass to a roofer or another trade?
- What is the plan if the ground is still frozen or the weather turns on the day?
Have this ready for the call
- Photos of every exterior problem, taken from a few metres back and close up
- A sketch of the fence line or deck with rough lengths
- The property survey or lot plan if posts are moving
- Where the downspouts end and where the sump pump outlet discharges
- Gate and side-yard access, and where the company can park
Questions people ask
What should I check outside after the snow melts?
Look at where the water goes. The City of Ottawa lists sealing window wells and foundation cracks, sloping ground away from the house, and clearing snow from the foundation as flood steps. Add loose fence boards, deck boards, door seals and cracked caulk, and send the list as photos.
How far from the house should a downspout discharge?
The City advises redirecting downspouts to permeable areas 3 metres from the foundation and disconnecting them from the sewer system or foundation drains, capping the pipe that comes out of the ground. A sump pump should discharge at least 1.2 metres from the foundation.
Is there a rebate for downspout work or a backwater valve?
The City’s Rain Ready Ottawa program may give homeowners in priority areas rebates of up to $5,000 for projects such as downspout redirection, rain barrels and rain gardens. The Residential Protective Plumbing Program offers rebates for devices such as backwater valves. Check eligibility with the City before work starts.
Do fence posts need a locate?
Ontario Dig Authority says locates are required for any project that breaks ground, regardless of size or depth, and are free. Request at least five business days before digging. Ask the company whether it files the request or expects you to.
Can I build a small shed without a permit?
The City lists a detached accessory structure under 10 square metres, or a one-storey storage shed of 15 square metres or less without plumbing, as exempt. Zoning rules still apply. That is a larger job than a handyman list, so ask the company before you assume it fits one visit.
