The 7 Best General Contractor Firms in Ottawa
If you’re looking for someone to oversee the day-to-day progress of your construction site, you’re definitely going to be needing a general contractor. One you can really depend on as you go and focus on other work.
This job is no joke because, almost quite literally, your whole construction will be in their hands as they communicate with you, subcontractors, laborers, suppliers, and the like. This is exactly why you’ll be needing this list of the top firms with the best general contractors in Ottawa!
What to Know Before Hiring a General Contractor Service
A general contractor is a must for anyone with a construction project in mind since they keep the wheels turning while you go off and do your thing. Before you hire one, here are a few things you need to know before hiring one:
1. Do you have anyone you can ask for referrals?
It’d be a smart choice to ask friends and families about general contractors they’ve worked with in the past. This will help you a lot since those would be reviews from people you know personally and you know you can trust.
2. What services will you need for the job?
Know exactly what it is you want out of the project, the contractors, and how you want it done. This makes it easier to communicate those wants to your general contractor so you’re both on the same page.
3. Are the general contractors you’re looking at permitted?
First, are they permitted to do the type of work you’re looking at them to do? Second, just to be sure, are they capable of requesting the town or city permits you’ll be needing for this project?
4. Contracts save you.
Contracts are there for a reason and they’re there to save you from any potential mishaps so be thorough. Draw up a precise contract with all the details you and your contractor have talked about; time frame, budget, laborers, all that.
5. Frequent communication is a must.
Even if the general contractor’s job is to keep everything in order, it’s still important that you’re both in frequent communication so you know how the project is going. This also lets them know you’re on-top of everything and so they won’t try to cut corners.
How Much Do General Contractor Services Cost in Ottawa
General contractor service fees vary on a case to case basis so we really can’t give you an estimate however they usually charge around 20-30% of the entire project cost.
It can be tempting to want to forgo a general contractor but, in reality, the percentage they charge isn’t that high if you consider the risks you’ll be avoiding by hiring a professional and the fact that your hands will be free of the project and dealing with subcontractors.
Top General Contractor Services in Ottawa
If you’re going to delegate something as important as your construction project to someone else, you’re gonna want to make sure it’s with someone you can trust based on their skills, their work ethic, and all that.
We give you a guarantee that the top general contractors in Ottawa are gonna help you get the job done just the way you want it!
1. Gilded Contractors
| SERVICES | Renovations and Remodeling Home Extensions and Garages New Home Builds and Coach Homes |
| WEBSITE | https://gildedcontractors.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | Ottawa, Ontario |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: 613-618-9121 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM Saturday: By Appointment Only Sunday: Closed |
Gilded Contractors tops our list—and rightfully so.
This company specializes in providing luxury home renovation services for those in the Ottawa area.
They have an expert team of craftsmen and designers who are highly committed to bringing their clients’ vision to life and creating spaces that are unique to each one.
What we like is they have this highly level of commitment no matter the type of project they have. From home extensions and custom homes to commercial construction and specialty projects, they’re consistent.
We’re a fan of their unparalleled quality and attention to detail which is evident in their service delivery all throughout the project.
There’s no reason to doubt their expertise and knowledge and these shine through when you get to work with them. They can provide their clients with great ideas and plans for renovation and the like.
We think that they exceed expectations and their workmanship is truly something else. No wonder many of their past clients have nothing but great things to say about them.
Pros
- Specializes in luxury home renovation services
- Expert and professional team
- High quality workmanship
Cons
- By appointment on Saturdays and closed on Sundays
2. March Homes & Renovations
| SERVICES | Bathroom Renovations Basement Renovations Kitchen Renovations Deck & Fence Construction Home Renovations |
| WEBSITE | https://marchhomesinc.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Contact for more information |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 613-859-7366 | [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Fri: 7AM – 7PM Saturday: 7AM – 12PM Sunday: Closed |
At March Homes, they believe that quality is the cornerstone of any successful renovation. They use the finest materials, follow industry best practices, and employ the latest technologies to ensure that every aspect of your renovation is executed to the highest standard, resulting in a flawless finish that stands the test of time.
With their combined 25 years of experience in the industry, we think they can definitely be trusted to have the experience and expertise when it comes to such services. We like that they take into consideration the unique needs and requirements of their clients, and they don’t take a cutter-cutter approach to projects.
They’re driven by customer service and it’s evident in how they deliver their services. Their work ethic is also incredible and always have the best quality workmanship no matter the work they do.
We like how great they are at paying attention to detail, and they’re nothing but one of the most professional teams we’ve come across. With years of experience in the industry, they have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. Their team of skilled tradesmen, designers, and project coordinators are experts in their field, bringing creativity, precision, and professionalism to every project.
They even understand that every renovation project is unique, and they tailor their services to suit your specific needs and preferences. From concept to completion, they work closely with you to bring your vision to life, ensuring that your space reflects your personality, style, and functional requirements.
They leave no stone unturned when it comes to attention to detail. From intricate finishes to meticulous project management, they take care of every aspect of your renovation with precision, ensuring that every element is carefully crafted to perfection.
Lastly, they pride themselves on providing exceptional customer service. Their team is dedicated to keeping you informed throughout the renovation process, listening to your feedback, and promptly addressing any concerns.
Pros
- Professional team
- High quality workmanship
- Many years of experience in the industry
Cons
- Closed on Sundays
3. Westrade Construction Ltd.
| SERVICES | General Contracting Project Management Design/Build Contract |
| WEBSITE | https://www.westradeconstruction.com |
| ADDRESS | 6 Holland Ave, Ottawa ON K1Y 0X4 Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 613 820 1770 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm |
Westrade Construction Ltd. is a company that specializes in general contracting and project management. They’ve been in business since 1985 and have had thousands of projects ever since.
When it comes to projects, they prefer a hands-on approach from beginning to end to make sure they understand exactly what is expected of them. To date, they’ve had 5,606 completed projects and currently have 121 active clients.
They don’t seem to have a very strong online presence but that may be because of the confidentiality of their projects thanks to their clients. However, if you take a look at their portfolio on their website, you’ll see their capacity to deliver top-quality projects.
For more information on their previous projects, you can check them out on their website. They’ve had multiple projects with dentists, private offices, governments offices, and the like.
Aside from general contracting, they also offer project management and full-on design and build services.
They follow strict COVID-19 guidelines that you can see on their site as well.
Pros
- Offers design and build services
- Specializes in high-class projects
Cons
- No mention of rates
- Not suitable for residential projects
4. Ottawa General Contractors
| SERVICES | Home Renovations Home Additions Home Builders Coach Homes Home Design Services Infill Home Builders Foundation Repairs |
| WEBSITE | www.ottawageneralcontractors.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1886 Merivale Road #200, Nepean ON K2G 1E6 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 (613) 225-9991 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon- Fri 8:00am-5:00pm |
Ottawa General Contractors is the leading contracting company in Ottawa. Their team grants you access to a full service experience wherein you don’t need to hire separate interior designers, laborers, and other construction services separately.
Their process is divided into three parts: design, plan, and build. You think up your preferred design together, you work together to create the plan on how to go about everything, and the building process begins!
They take your project from the very beginning and see it through until the end. However, a few clients have also complained about difficulties contacting them once the project ended.
They offer free, unbiased advice for first-time estimates/consultations and guarantee a fixed price with no hidden charges. Their website claims affordable rates but, based on reviews, it seems that their rates are a bit pricier than they endorse.
However, they do offer payment plans for qualifying clients so be sure to ask about that during your consultation.
They offer their services in 11 areas in and around Ottawa, including but not limited to Barrhaven, Katana, Gatineau, and Glebe.
Pros
- Free estimate
- No hidden charges
- Industry-leading warranty
- Payment plans
Cons
- Pricey rates
- Customer service may be hard to get ahold of after project
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews of satisfied clients of OGC:
“The actual work that OGC did on my interior renovation was good and the finished product looks very nice overall, working with them was a good experience. I understand that renovations sometimes take longer than expected and our house is quite large but the end date we were told was the end of April.” -Joseph
“It has been 8 months since Ottawa General Contractors finished up the work on converting our very wet, damp Cold Storage space into a very dry and usable storage space. Both the inside and outside of the Cold Storage space and along the front of our house were sealed and insulated. It made an incredible difference in our basement. Warm and dry!
The deck that was built on top of the sealed and insulated old exterior concrete stairs on the front of our house is beautiful. From beginning to end OGC was professional, courteous, and kept us in the loop as the project proceeded. It was a pleasure having OGC handle this ‘Little Big Project’ from start to finish.” – Scott
5. Murdock Construction Inc.
| SERVICES | Interior Renovation General Contracting |
| WEBSITE | murdockconstruct.com |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 613 262 3024 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Fri 7:00am-8:00pm |
Murdock Construction is a small construction company in Ottawa that specializes in interior renovation.
They focus mainly but not only on bathrooms, kitchens, additions and doing interior remodelling. They work closely with a small and trusted group of suppliers and laborers to ensure the same quality of work for all their projects.
Along with not offering free estimates, they don’t really have mentions of their rates but they do have insurance and clients rave on about their friendly customer service!
The process begins as soon as you send them a contact form detailing your project. Once you’re all on the same page regarding the key ideas of the project, you may schedule a general consult at your home for a detailed quote and after a mandatory contract signing, the construction begins.
They do their best to keep things kid, pet, asthma, and allergy friendly so this is a big bonus if you have any of those mentioned! They do this by using dustless tools and an Air Scrubber to remove any dust or debris around.
Pros
- Offers insurance
- Good customer service
Cons
- No free estimate
- No mention of rates
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews of satisfied clients of OGC:
“We have worked with Murdock Construction on many projects big and small over the last few years. Thomas and his team are always a pleasure to work with and his jobs are always clean, organized and ready for us to complete our work. I would highly recommend Murdock Construction to anyone looking to have renovation or construction work done.” -Andrew
“We just had Thomas and his crew renovate our master bathroom, and we are absolutely blown away with their amazing work. Murdock Construction not only met the agreed upon schedule and budget, and surpassed our expectations. We were most impressed with their communication, keeping us informed with start dates, times, general or specific design ideas. Each and every member on his team treated our home with respect, keeping it clean and clutter free at the end of each day. We absolutely recommend Murdock Construction, and have already requested his expertise again for more jobs in 2018.” -Ross & Michelle
6. Art & Stone Group
| SERVICES | Major Renovations Custom Homes |
| WEBSITE | https://artandstonegroup.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 613 212 0033 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm |
Art and Stone Group is a construction company that focuses mainly on custom dream homes. Their goal is to work with clients who are on the journey of making the home they’ve dreamt of for years.
They provide full guidance to help you make this dream of yours a reality by understanding exactly what it is you want and bringing that to life. Keep in mind that this means it isn’t a company that prides itself in being affordable.
They begin the process by drafting your ideas mixed with their advice with their experts, providing you with a realistic budget and timeframe, and the construction itself!
They’ve built over 150 luxury custom homes as a family-owned and run company.
If you want to see what they can do, you should check out their portfolio on their website. They have 3D renders of their best projects for your viewing pleasure.
However, if you’re looking to build a building for your business or whatnot you can probably scroll past Art and Stone Group because, as mentioned, they focus mostly on luxury homes.
Pros
- Provides you with 3D renders before construction
- Suitable for residential projects
Cons
- Focuses on luxury residential spaces only
- Premium rates
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews of satisfied clients of Art & Stone Group:
“The Art and Stone Group is an amazing company. We’ve done renovation and one new build and can not recommend them enough. They’re responsive, fulfilled time lines and provide the highest quality of work. Andrew and his team keep the work site clean and he is on site daily to ensure the project stays on track. Alex’s design skills were so appreciated. She saw my vision and helped me bring it to life, while staying within our budget! It’s clear by their work ethic and professionalism that they care about their clients and the service they provide.” -Meghan
“The best decision my partner and I made upon purchasing our new home was deciding to work with the Art and Stone Group, led by Andrew and Alex, to both design and finish the basement and redesign/renovate certain aspects of the living space on the main floor. Not only was our project completed on time, but their quality of work and attention to detail was unparalleled to experiences we had had with home improvements in the past. From day one, Alex and Andrew took the time to understand our taste and our lifestyle, and how to marry the two in order to provide us with a space that we would be happy with for years to come. When challenges arose (as they inevitably do with major construction or renovations), they always took the time to explain things to us and offer us alternative solutions that we would be happy with. We are entirely grateful to the Art and Stone Group for the work they did for us in our home and cannot recommend them more highly!!” -Jessica
7. Highbridge Construction
| SERVICES | Design Build Renovation Construction Restoration |
| WEBSITE | www.highbridgeconstruction.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 2651 St Joseph Blvd, Orléans ON K1C 1G4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 613-518-6563 |
| OPERATING HOURS | 24/7 Open Office Hours |
Highbridge Construction is a well-known construction company in Ottawa run by one of Ottawa’s lead real estate agents, Leam Hamilton.
They really value communication when it comes to general contractors and clients. They do their best to work hand in hand with you to achieve your expectations on the given project.
Their teams work well regardless if it’s adding a new space, creating a space, or mixing up something that’s already there. Their experts can also help you improve the value of your investment property.
Their services include Design Build which is all about renovating or restoring old homes, renovations of parts of a home, foundation repair, carpentry, and flooring.
For the free estimate, they send over a licensed assessor to see the work needed to be done and do their best to send the estimate within 24 hours.
All of their subcontractors are licensed, permitted, and fully trusted by the company itself.
Pros
- Free estimate
- Works quickly and efficiently, according to reviews
Cons
- No mention of rates
- Complaints about rescheduling
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews of Highbridge Construction’s satisfied clients:
“We hired Highbridge Construction to have our in-ground pool install 5 years ago, we are extremely pleased with tje result. This year again we have them back to install artificial grass and again very happy with the result. Their price is competitive and most importantly their services to me is the best. Highly recommend and will hire them again for future project.” -Phuong
“I am extremely happy with the work done by Highbridge Construction on my bathroom renovation. The communication was excellent, no surprises and a great finished product! I was amazed at how quickly the project was finished. Very professional service and I would highly recommend them.” -Carol
FAQs About General Contractor Services
Be at peace when hiring any of these firms for their general contractors because, as we’ve said, they’re the best ones out here in Ottawa!
If you have anything you’d like to let us know or you want to tell us all about your experience/s with these firms, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to hear all about it.
In the case that you’re looking for someone to fix the foundation of your house, check out our article on the best foundation repairs in Ottawa!