Handyman jobs in Ottawa: one list, one company calls
Patches, shelves, doors, fixtures, assembly. Write every small job down in one request, and we pass the list to one independent Ottawa company that does this work.
In short
- 01Ottawa handyman work is mostly billed by the hour: about $85–120, per the HomeStars Ottawa guide.
- 02Expect a minimum charge, often a set number of hours, plus materials and sometimes a travel or call-out fee.
- 03Five small jobs in one visit share one minimum charge, so each job usually costs less than it would on its own visit.
- 04Wiring work goes to an electrical contractor with an ESA notification; plumbing changes may need a City permit.
Typical ranges
Source HomeStars, How much does a handyman cost in Ottawa?, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026. Electrical rules: ESA, homeowner pages. Permits: City of Ottawa, projects not requiring building permits. Contracts: Ontario, guide for home renovation businesses.
What to ask before you book
- Q1What is your hourly rate, and is there a minimum charge for the visit?
- Q2Can you do my whole list in one visit, and roughly how many hours will it take?
- Q3Do you bring materials, or should I buy them, and how are they billed?
- Q4Which jobs on my list need an electrician, a plumber or a permit?
- Q5Does your company have WSIB coverage for its workers?
Before the visit
- The full job list, one line per job, with the room for each
- Photos of each spot, with a tape measure in the shot for size
- Materials you already have: paint cans, hardware, fixtures, the boxed furniture
- Clear space around each job and a path to it
- Where the electrical panel and the water shut-off are
How to write a handyman request
Write a list, one line per job. “Hang 3 shelves in the den, drywall on studs. Patch two fist-size holes in the hallway. Assemble a dresser, still boxed. Swap a bathroom faucet, faucet bought.” Each line tells the company the trade, the size and the materials. Add your area and the days that suit you.
Say what the wall is made of if you know it: drywall, plaster or concrete. It changes the tools and the time.
Why one visit beats three
Ottawa handymen list minimum charges, materials and travel or call-out fees among the things that set the price. A minimum covers a block of time, so a short list fits inside it. Group the jobs, and the company can quote the whole visit at once.
Where a handyman stops
Wiring, a new outlet or a new circuit goes to an electrical contractor with an ESA notification. Moving a drain or adding plumbing needs a City permit. Ask on the call which lines on your list belong to another trade.
More on two common jobs
- Drywall repair: holes, cracks, water stains, and why a patch takes more than one visit
- TV mounting and furniture assembly: wall types, cables and boxed furniture
Put the job in writing
Ontario requires a written agreement for home renovation work worth more than $50. It should name the business and its contact details, describe the work and the materials, give the total with taxes, the payment terms and the start and finish dates, and say who cleans up. If you pay a deposit, the province recommends keeping it to 10% of the total or less. A price written as an estimate may go up by 10% at most without your signed change.
You can also ask whether the company has WSIB coverage for its workers. WSIB clearance certificates can be checked online.
Who you are dealing with
613 Pros sends your list to one independent Ottawa company. That company calls you, quotes the work and does it.
Questions
01Is a small job worth a visit?
Ottawa handymen often set a minimum charge, so one small job costs about the same as a few. Group everything into one request and one visit.
02Can a handyman change a light fixture or add an outlet?
In Ontario, hired electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and almost all electrical work is reported to the Electrical Safety Authority with a notification of work. Ask the company who does that part and who files the notification.
03Do I need a building permit?
The City’s no-permit list includes painting and decorating, new flooring and same-size door and window replacements. Adding or removing walls, new window openings and plumbing changes need a permit.
04Should I get a written contract for a small job?
Ontario requires a written agreement for any home renovation contract worth more than $50, with the work, the price and the schedule spelled out.
05What should the quote include?
The hourly rate or job price, the minimum charge, materials, any travel fee and HST. Ask for it in writing before the work starts.