Why does widening a load-bearing doorway cost more in Ottawa?

Widening a doorway in a load-bearing wall costs more than the same work in a non-load-bearing wall. Published 2025–26 prices for a non-load-bearing doorway run about $500 to $2,500 per door; a doorway in a load-bearing wall is a structural alteration and costs more.

The difference comes down to what the wall is doing. A doorway in a load-bearing wall is a structural alteration, which is on the City of Ottawa's permit list. That means you will need a building permit before work begins. The permit fee for alterations is $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $117, based on the City's January 1, 2026 fee schedule. Construction value includes materials, labour, overhead and professional fees.

The structural work itself adds to the quote. Ask the contractor what the structural work involves, because that is where the cost difference sits. Items that show up in a quote for this kind of job include the doorway opening itself, patching and finishing the wall on both sides, and permits. Whether the wall is load-bearing is the factor that separates the two price ranges.

A few other things worth knowing before you get quotes:

• The Ontario Building Code sets a minimum door size of 810 mm for a required entrance and 760 mm for most rooms in a house (Table 9.5.5.1). Those are minimum door sizes, not clear-opening rules.
• The owner and the builder are equally liable under the Building Code Act if a required permit is not obtained. The City's FAQ is clear on that point.
• Under the Construction Act, an owner must hold back 10 per cent of the price as work is supplied, so ask a lawyer about when to release it on a larger job.

Before you sign a contract, ask the contractor to show you in writing exactly what structural work they are pricing, so you can compare that scope line by line across every quote you receive.