Leak, clog or no hot water? Tell us, and a local plumber calls you back.
Write what is wrong, where in the house, and since when. We pass the work order to one independent Ottawa plumbing company, and it calls you to book the visit and price the job.
In short
- 01Ottawa homeowners reported paying $100–$800 to fix a leak and $142–$1,000 for a toilet repair (HomeStars Ottawa guide, August 2026).
- 02Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario (trade code 306A): the person doing the work must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
- 03Replacing an existing hot water tank needs no City building permit. A backwater valve does.
- 04A written contract is required for jobs over $50, and the final bill can go at most 10% above an estimate in the contract unless you sign a change.
Typical ranges
Source HomeStars, Plumbing Services Cost Guide for Ottawa, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026 (built from 62 Ottawa jobs reported by homeowners). HomeStars, How Much Does Plumbing Cost?, Canada-wide, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026. Trade rule: Skilled Trades Ontario, Plumber, seen 29.10.2026. Permits: City of Ottawa, projects not requiring building permits, seen 29.10.2026. Contracts: Ontario, guide for home renovation businesses, seen 29.10.2026.
What to ask before you book
- Q1Do you charge a service call, and does it include the first hour of work?
- Q2Do you bill by the hour or a flat price for the job, and which fits mine?
- Q3Who will come to my home, and what is their name on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register?
- Q4Does this job need a City permit, and who applies for it?
- Q5Can I have the price, the parts and the HST in writing before you start?
Before the visit
- Photos or a short video of the problem: the leak, the water level in the drain, the label on the tank
- Where it is: which floor, which room, which fixture
- Since when, and what makes it worse: running the dishwasher, flushing, a heavy rain
- Where your main water shut-off valve is, and a clear path to it
- Year the house was built, if you know it. It decides which City rebates can apply
Write the problem the way a plumber reads it
Three facts tell a plumber most of the job before the visit:
- What you see. “Water drips from the ceiling under the upstairs bathroom.” “Kitchen sink drains slowly, the basement floor drain gurgles when it does.” “Tank installed in 2014, water lukewarm.”
- Where. Floor, room, fixture. For a basement problem, say if the basement is finished.
- How long, and what changed. A leak that started after a renovation, a drain that backs up only in heavy rain, a tank that leaks from the bottom.
Add a photo of the label on the water heater or sump pump if the job involves one. Pick Today, This week or Flexible on the form.
The jobs, page by page
- Emergency plumbing: burst pipe, sewage in the basement, water you cannot stop. What to do for safety while you wait for the call.
- Drain cleaning: slow sinks, toilets, a floor drain backing up, and who pays when the blockage is under the street.
- Water heater: repair or replace, gas or electric, and the Ontario rules on rental contracts.
- Sump pump and backwater valve: the City’s protective plumbing rebates and what they cover.
Area pages: Orléans, Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean.
What sets the price
Ottawa plumbers bill one of two ways: by the hour or a flat price for the job. Ask which on the call, and get the number before the work starts. Canada-wide, HomeStars lists service calls at $140–$475 with the first hour included, and separate trip fees of $70–$400 at some companies.
Three things push a job up: access (a pipe behind a finished ceiling or under a slab), parts (a new valve, a new tank), and special equipment such as a drain camera or a high-pressure jetter. A company may also charge an extra call-out fee after hours. That policy varies by company, so ask.
Permits, and who holds the trade certificate
Plumber is one of Ontario’s compulsory trades, listed by Skilled Trades Ontario under trade code 306A. Only people with a Certificate of Qualification, a Provisional Certificate of Qualification or a registered training agreement may do the work, and they must appear on the STO Public Register.
Swapping an existing hot water tank is on the City of Ottawa’s no-permit list. A backwater valve needs a building permit before the work starts. For other changes, such as moving a fixture, ask on the call whether a permit applies, who applies for it and who books the inspection.
Get it in writing
Ontario requires a written agreement for home renovation and repair work worth more than $50. It should show the business name and contact details, the work, the total with taxes, the payment schedule and the dates. If the contract carries an estimate, the bill can go at most 10% above it unless you sign a change. The province recommends deposits of 10% of the total or less.
Who you are dealing with
Ottawa Plumbing Desk is a request service. We pass your work order to one independent local plumbing company. That company calls you, prices the job and does the work.
Questions
01What does a plumber cost in Ottawa?
It depends on the job. Ottawa homeowners reported $100–$800 to fix a leak, $142–$1,000 for a toilet repair and $200–$3,800 for faucet work, according to the HomeStars Ottawa guide. The company that calls you prices your job after it hears the details or sees them.
02How do I know the person is allowed to do plumbing work?
Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario. To work in it legally, a person must hold a Certificate of Qualification, a Provisional Certificate of Qualification or a Registered Training Agreement, and must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register. Ask for the name and look it up.
03Do I need a permit to replace a water heater or a vanity?
The City of Ottawa lists replacing an existing hot water tank, and replacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets with the plumbing fixtures left in the same place, as work that needs no building permit. A backwater valve needs one. For a job that moves or adds fixtures, ask the plumber or 3-1-1 before the work starts.
04Can I send a request for a rental unit or a condo?
Yes. Say in the work order who owns the unit, who will let the plumber in, and whether the building has its own rules for contractors. In a condo, the property manager can tell you where your unit’s shut-off is.
05What if the company cannot take my job?
We ask you before passing the request to another company. Your details go to one company at a time.