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Basement renovations in Ottawa
A finished basement is some of the most affordable living space you can add to a house, because the walls, the floor and the roof are already there.
- Liability insurance and WSIB coverage
- 5-year warranty on construction
- 2-year warranty on painting
- Free in-home consultation
Basement renovations
Dry first, then finished
A finished basement is some of the most affordable living space you can add to a house, because the walls, the floor and the roof are already there. What makes or breaks it is what happens before the drywall goes up.
Ottawa basements deal with snowmelt, spring rain and cold foundation walls. Finishing over a damp wall traps the moisture behind the insulation and drywall, and the musty smell shows up a year later. It is one of the most common reasons a finished basement has to be torn out again.
So the first thing we look at in any basement is water: stains on the concrete, white powder on the foundation walls, the grading and downspouts outside, and how the sump pit behaves if there is one. If there is a moisture problem, it gets solved before anything else gets built.
“Indiana and his crew renovated a bathroom for me and the process was seamless, respectful and completed with extreme care and quality. I consider Carleton Prime the best construction company in Ottawa. I will use them for all future projects. Very pleased, would highly recommend.”
Basement renovations
Warm, comfortable and up to Code
- Insulation and moisture control on the foundation walls, installed in the right order
- Subfloor options that keep your feet off cold concrete
- Bedrooms with a window large enough to get out through in an emergency, as the Ontario Building Code requires
- Headroom planned around ducts and beams, instead of boxing them in wherever they happen to fall
- Sound control between the basement and the rooms above
What basements become
Family rooms and home theatres. Guest bedrooms. Home offices and gyms. A bathroom or a proper laundry room. And, for a lot of Ottawa homeowners, a full apartment with its own kitchen and entrance, which is a different project with its own rules. We cover that on our secondary dwelling units page.
Whole job or one part
The whole project, or any part of it
Carleton Prime can take on the whole project, turnkey, or just the part you need: one phase, or one trade such as the framing, drywall, tile, flooring or painting. Builders, general contractors, architects, designers and engineers can also bring us in as a subcontractor and an extra, experienced member of the team.
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit needed to finish a basement in Ottawa?
Usually, yes. Finishing a basement typically means new walls, electrical work and often plumbing, and a new bedroom brings Building Code requirements for an escape window. The City of Ottawa explains when a permit is needed. We confirm it for your project and apply for the permit on your behalf.
Can my basement have a bedroom?
Yes, as long as it meets the Ontario Building Code, including a window large enough to escape through. We check the existing windows and what it would take to meet the requirement during the consultation.
Can you turn my basement into an apartment?
Often, yes. A self-contained unit has its own set of rules, covered on our secondary dwelling units page.
Is the finished basement guaranteed?
Yes. Carleton Prime gives a five-year warranty on construction work and a two-year warranty on painting.
Related services
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Secondary dwelling units
Legal basement apartments and in-law suites, built to the Building Code.
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Framing
New homes, additions, garages and basements, framed to the drawings.
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Flooring and hardwood
Hardwood and other floors over a properly prepared subfloor.
Learn moreSources
The permit, Building Code and bylaw points on this page come from these authorities. Rules change, so check the current version before relying on any of it.
Ottawa renovation and construction
Start your project with Carleton Prime
Every project starts with a free in-home consultation. Tell us about your home and what you want to do.