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Guide To General Contractor Costs & Estimates in Canada

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Planning a home renovation? Hiring a general contractor is essential for medium to large projects, ensuring expertise and compliance with regulations. In Canada, average contractor project costs range from $12,285 in Vancouver to $15,837 in Hamilton, with the lowest reported costs starting at just $100. Whether you're considering basement, bathroom, or kitchen renovations, this guide provides valuable insights and cost comparisons to help you navigate your project effectively. Read on for detailed cost breakdowns and contractor recommendations!

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If you have any home renovations planned or need to execute medium to large projects at home, it’s likely that you will need to hire a general contractor to get the work done. Building contractors undertake many renovation and residential or commercial construction projects as these require special licenses and equipment, apart from skills and experience. There are various types of contractors for different projects so you would need to check for licensed contractors in the area of work that you need.

When you find contractors on HomeStars, you can also request a custom quote for your project. To help you compare these quotes, we have put together reviews from 6,511 reviews from verified homeowners across Canada.

General Contractor Project Costs across Canada

TaskAverage Cost\ ¹Lowest Reported\ ¹Highest Reported\ ¹
Barrie$13,582$123$50,000
Calgary$12,508$100$50,000
Edmonton$14,785$100$50,000
Hamilton$15,837$1,000$50,000
Oshawa$12,660$100$50,000
Ottawa$14,247$130$50,000
Toronto$13,614$100$50,000
Vancouver$12,285$100$50,000

\¹ Costs based on 6,511 verified homeowner reviews as of March 2022

Basement Renovation

  • If you want to design a new basement or execute a basement renovation project, then you will likely enter into a contractor’s agreement. Your hired contractor will need a general contractor license to execute this project as there are many regulations and requirements to ensure the safety of the space.
  • Basement renovation will also include extensive planning to make sure that all requirements are met along with the permits, so make sure to plan ahead of time.

Bathroom Renovation

  • A garage door and hardware contractor can not only help you choose the perfect garage door but also help with any garage door parts that you may require.
  • Bathroom renovation is another home improvement project that can make a big impact on the look and feel of the home.
  • Bathroom renovations can include complete remodelling or upgrades like changing tubs and toilets, updating the tiles and even replacing the faucets for a modern look.

Kitchen Renovations

  • Whether it’s your home or the basement, planning and executing a kitchen renovation project can really uplift the space and make it more trendy and functional.
  • From installing backsplashes to adding modular storage – there are many ways to renovate and upgrade your kitchen. Your contractor can help you plan the project that fits your needs, space and budget.

House Renovations Contractors

  • Home renovation contractors can also help build intergenerational suites or more such spaces for your home. Whether it’s outdoor projects like decks and porches or indoor upgrades – hiring a general contractor is the best way to go about medium to large projects.
  • The average cost of hiring a general contractor across Canadian cities can be found in the chart above.

If you have been searching for a “renovation contractor near me” on your phone, there’s an easier way to do it. You can find vetted and reviewed contractors on HomeStars by entering your location and other details of your project. After you receive your custom quote from the contractors, make sure to check their Star Score and Verified Badge to hire with complete confidence. You can also check their recent customer reviews to know more about their services and customer service.

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Odd odour in just one room—what could be causing it?

Anonymous user 22/07/2026 - 9:53 AM

Hi there, Hoping someone can help us out. We've been dealing with a strange smell in one of our upstairs bedrooms for quite a while now. It doesn’t seem to affect any other part of the house—just this one room. The smell comes and goes, and it's especially strong during warm and humid weather. It’s a fishy/ammonia scent, and we've already ruled out any electrical issues or problems with plastic light fittings. At first, we couldn’t pinpoint the source, but it seems like it might be coming from one corner at the front of the room, which is adjacent to our neighbour's upstairs bedroom. Over the weekend, we moved the furniture, pulled back the carpet, and took out a few floorboards. We think the smell is originating from beneath the floorboards, but we're stumped on what to do next since nothing is glaringly obvious. There’s a slight whiteness on the wooden beams, but that might just be plaster residue from the ceiling below. Can anyone offer some advice or suggest who we should contact to help us figure out where this smell is coming from and what’s causing it? It's driving us crazy! Our house is a 1930s semi-detached.

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Igor 14/07/2026 - 8:13 AM

What permits if any are required do dig a separate entrance into a basement. What are the costs of any permits.

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Anonymous user 14/07/2026 - 8:12 AM

my newly built home has a cold room which also contains the sump pump Id prefer a storage space instead Is there a way to change this space into a warm normal room in the house Im told insulating will promote mould Thanks for any help

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