By the Ottawa Renovation Specialists team
Any interior renovation can be done in an Ottawa winter. Bathrooms and other smaller jobs are well suited to it. Exterior work like interlock, decks, and anything that opens the house to the weather is better left for spring and summer, and so are big projects like secondary dwelling units.
How we schedule the year
- Winter: bathrooms and smaller interior projects
- Spring and summer: larger projects such as secondary dwelling units, plus all exterior work like interlock, decks, and fences
- Any time: interior work that does not open the house to the outside
The split is mostly driven by homeowners, and it makes sense. A bathroom takes us about two weeks for a standard job, so it fits neatly into a winter schedule. A large project that involves exterior walls, foundations, or the yard is easier and safer when the ground is not frozen.
The kitchen that is waiting for spring
This week, Ottawa Renovation Specialists was at an estimate for a kitchen renovation that may need a window replaced. The homeowners decided to schedule it for spring. Replacing a window means opening an exterior wall, and nobody wants that wall open during an Ottawa cold snap.
That is the main question to ask about a winter project: does any part of it open the house to the outside? If not, winter is fine.
What changes inside during winter
Winter does not stop interior work, but it changes how some of it is done.
- Materials need to warm up. Flooring and paint delivered from a cold truck or warehouse need time to reach room temperature. We let them sit inside the house for at least a day, longer in extreme cold, before using them.
- Paint needs the room warm. We keep rooms at about 21 to 22 degrees Celsius for painting so the paint goes on and cures properly.
- Humidity swings both ways. Heated winter air is dry, but basements and freshly plastered or taped rooms can hold moisture. We run dehumidifiers when the space needs it.
- Dust and access. With windows closed, dust containment matters more. Plan where workers will come and go so heat is not lost all day through an open door.
Is winter a good time to start?
For interior projects, often yes. If you want a new bathroom before moving in or a basement ready before spring, winter is when that work happens. Permit reviews and inspections still run on their normal schedule, so build them into the plan.
If your project is entirely inside, it does not need to wait for warm weather. Ottawa Renovation Specialists schedules interior work all year round.
Winter is also the right time to plan spring work. If your project includes a window, a deck or interlock, get the estimate and permit application done now. City permit reviews take time, and starting the paperwork in January means the crew can begin as soon as the ground thaws.
FAQ
Can you renovate a bathroom in winter in Ottawa? Yes. A standard bathroom takes about two weeks, and winter is one of the most common times we do them.
Can you install flooring in winter? Yes, as long as the flooring is brought inside to acclimate for at least a day and the room is kept at a normal temperature.
Should I wait for spring for a kitchen? Only if the kitchen involves exterior work, such as a new window or door. Interior-only kitchens can go ahead.
Ottawa Renovation Specialists is a family-run Ottawa renovation company that has worked through 25+ Ottawa winters since 1999.
