How much is a ramp with a landing and handrails in Ottawa?

Published 2025–26 guides put a short modular entrance ramp in the range of roughly $2,000 to $4,000 installed; a longer or custom-built ramp with a landing and handrails will cost more, and the final number depends on several things specific to your project.

The rise at your entrance is the starting point. The Ontario Building Code limits a house ramp to a slope no steeper than 1 in 10, so a 450 mm rise needs at least 4.5 metres of ramp run at that slope. A landing is required at the top and bottom of any ramp steeper than 1 in 50, and wherever a door opens onto the ramp. If the door swings toward the ramp, the landing must be large enough for the door to swing fully over it. Handrails are not required by the Code on a house ramp that rises 400 mm or less, but where they are required they must be between 865 mm and 1 070 mm high. How many sides need a handrail on an exterior house ramp is something to confirm with the City of Ottawa's Building Code Services, as we could not confirm that from the Code text. If the drop beside the ramp or landing exceeds 600 mm, a guard is also required. All of this, plus the length of the run, the number of landings, and the finishing work, shows up in the quote.

Ramps are not on the City of Ottawa's published list of projects that need a permit, but they are not on the exempt list either. The City's deck page says a deck at the main entrance needs a permit, so ask Building Code Services how your ramp and landing will be treated before work starts. Permits for alterations are calculated at $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $117, based on the City's January 1, 2026 fee schedule.

A fair written quote for this job should break out the ramp run and slope, the number and size of landings, handrails and any guards, surface finish, and any patching or finishing to the existing entrance. Ask whether the price includes permit fees if a permit turns out to be required.

Get the exact slope each contractor is proposing in writing, so you can check it against the 1 in 10 limit.