Suburb, south-west Ottawa
Home renovations in Barrhaven
Barrhaven grew from a 1960s subdivision into one of Ottawa's largest suburbs, with about 103,000 people at the 2021 census, roughly three times its population in 2001. Most of its homes appear to date from the 1990s or later, which shapes what owners renovate first.
Homes in Barrhaven
Old Barrhaven was started in the 1960s by developer Mel Barr. Longfields was mostly built from the early 1990s, Stonebridge from 2000, and Barrhaven South and Half Moon Bay after 2006, on what the City described in 2006 as farmland.
Townhouses make up a large share of the homes, alongside streets of detached houses. Builder-grade kitchens and bathrooms from the 1990s and early 2000s, and basements that may still be unfinished, are typical starting points.
What tends to come up
- Homes in Longfields and the earlier parts of Stonebridge are roughly 20 to 35 years old, an age when original cabinets, counters, tubs and vanities are often replaced.
- Detached, semi-detached and townhouse homes are the types the City allows to host a secondary suite, which makes a basement suite worth considering.
- On townhouse streets with small yards, a rear deck is the main way to add outdoor space; additions are more realistic on detached lots.
- Lots near the Jock and Rideau rivers can sit inside the conservation authority's regulated area.
What we build in Barrhaven
Typical totals with HST for a mid-range job of each kind at a Barrhaven address. Each page covers what matters for that work here.
- Kitchens in Barrhaven$44,300 to $59,400$295 to $396 per sq ftkitchen renovation, 150 sq ft, mid-range
- Bathrooms in Barrhaven$20,500 to $27,500$513 to $688 per sq ftthree-piece bathroom, 40 sq ft, mid-range
- Basements in Barrhaven$60,900 to $81,600$76 to $102 per sq ftbasement renovation, 800 sq ft, mid-range
- Additions in Barrhaven$122,000 to $163,600$305 to $409 per sq ftrear or side addition, one storey, 400 sq ft, mid-range
- Decks and porches in Barrhaven$21,200 to $27,800$88 to $116 per sq ftraised deck, 240 sq ft, cedar
- Secondary suites in Barrhaven$104,900 to $140,700$150 to $201 per sq ftsecondary suite, 700 sq ft, mid-range
Prices are estimates based on published Ottawa and Ontario price guides, checked October 2026. They are not an offer. A firm written quote follows a site visit. Prices for Barrhaven include about 2% over central Ottawa for travel and delivery.
Permits and approvals in Barrhaven
What to check before work starts. Rules change, so we confirm what applies to your address and your project.
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Barrhaven sits between the Jock River and the Rideau River, both inside the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's area. RVCA reports that about 16% of the Jock River-Barrhaven catchment lies inside its regulation limit, and it mapped flooding and slope hazards along the Rideau from Hogs Back to Kars in 2017. RVCA treats work inside the existing walls, roof and foundation that does not change the use as generally not needing its approval; enlarging the house, changing its use or adding a unit does.
Building permits
The City generally requires a building permit to finish a basement, move or remove walls, alter plumbing, add or enlarge windows and doors, and build an addition. Replacing kitchen cabinets without moving plumbing fixtures usually does not need one. Electrical work is inspected separately by the Electrical Safety Authority.
Decks and porches
An attached deck needs a building permit when its surface is more than 600 mm (about 24 inches) above the ground, or when it is the main way into the house. A freestanding deck needs one when it is larger than 10 square metres (about 108 sq ft) and more than 600 mm up. Porches generally need a permit when they are larger than 10 square metres.
Secondary suites
A suite inside an existing house needs a building permit and has to meet the Building Code for ceiling height, exits, fire separation, windows and alarms, with electrical inspected separately. Basement suites have no size limit, the suite needs its own entrance (not a new door in the front wall), and new parking cannot go in the front yard. On lots with City water and sewer, current rules allow more than one additional unit on most residential lots, so we check what your lot can hold.
Trees
On urban lots of one hectare or less, the City's Tree Protection By-law requires a permit to remove or injure a distinctive tree, which the current by-law sets at 30 cm or more across at chest height. Footings and trenches near big trees are planned around their roots. The thresholds have changed in recent years, so we check the by-law in force.
Zoning
Additions and larger decks have to meet the zoning setbacks, height and lot coverage for your lot. Most of Ottawa's new Zoning By-law 2026-50 is in force (the parts not under appeal took effect from March 2026), and where a provision is still under appeal the stricter of the old and new rules applies, so we check the rules for your address before design starts.
Questions from Barrhaven
Do you work in all of Barrhaven?
Yes, from Old Barrhaven to Longfields, Stonebridge, Half Moon Bay and the newer streets near Cambrian Road. Barrhaven addresses are priced at suburban rates in the estimator.
Where these local facts come from
- ottawa.ca: wardboundary
- ottawa.ca: barrhaven south community design plan
- ottawa.ca: heritage conservation districts
- ottawa.ca: adding apartment secondary dwelling units
- documents.ottawa.ca: better homes second dwelling en
- ottawa.ca: decks
- ottawa.ca: 1014169
- ottawa.ca: 267417
Checked October 2026. Rules change: we confirm what applies to your address.
Nearby areas
Planning a renovation in Barrhaven?
Use the estimator with Barrhaven prices, then send it to us. We confirm the numbers on a site visit and follow up with a written quote.