Excellence in the preservation of heritage.
Heritage home restoration in Ottawa & Gatineau. Period-correct interiors, structural preservation, heritage permit liaison. We restore what makes your home historically significant while making it functional for how you live now.
Heritage homes don't behave like new builds.
The framing is rough-cut. The plaster is real lime, not gypsum. The windows are wood and weights, not vinyl and springs. The foundation is fieldstone, not poured concrete. The trim profiles, the door hardware, the floor patterns — none of it is standard stock at the lumberyard.
Renovating a heritage home with a generic contractor's playbook destroys what makes it valuable. We restore heritage homes with the right materials, the right techniques, and the right approvals — bringing modern comfort into a house that still reads as the era it was built in.
That's not how this works. Not here.
How heritage restoration works
Five steps. Period-correct. Approved. Done with care.
Assessment
Site visit. We document the heritage character (what's original, what's later, what's worth preserving). We discuss what's worth restoring vs. what should evolve. You leave with a realistic scope.
Design + Approvals
Drawings that respect the heritage attributes. If you're in a heritage district (Centretown, Sandy Hill, Lowertown, parts of Aylmer/Old Hull), we coordinate the Heritage Permit and any Conservation Review Board approvals. This adds 2–6 months — we plan for it.
Material Sourcing
Period-correct materials: matching wood species, profiles, hardware, glass. Some items source from local salvage, some from specialty suppliers, some custom-milled. Lead times can be long — we order early.
Build
Skilled trades who know heritage work: lime plaster, lath repair, wood window restoration, period millwork, fieldstone foundation pointing. Not a generic crew.
Reveal
Final walkthrough. Heritage paperwork (for resale: heritage approvals, before/after documentation, materials records). Important for the next owner.
Heritage work we specialize in
Period-Correct Interiors
Restored or replicated trim, casings, moulding profiles. Wood floors refinished or replaced in-kind. Plaster repair (real lime, not joint compound). Reproduction or restored hardware.
Structural Preservation
Heritage homes often have settled foundations, rough-cut framing variations, and previous structural alterations that need careful reversal. We coordinate engineering that respects the heritage value.
Heritage Facade & Porch Work
Front facade restoration. Porch reconstruction (period-correct profiles, columns, balustrades). Window restoration (wood, sash, weight systems) instead of replacement.
Heritage Permit Liaison
We submit applications, attend Heritage Committee meetings, document compliance, and manage Conservation Review Board approvals. You don't navigate the heritage process alone.
What to expect: investment & timeline
Heritage projects vary enormously. Here's a general guide:
| Scope | Investment Range | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Period-correct interior restoration (single room, e.g., heritage bathroom) | $35,000 – $75,000 | 6–10 weeks |
| Heritage facade restoration / porch reconstruction | $30,000 – $80,000 | 8–14 weeks |
| Whole-home heritage restoration (multiple rooms + exterior) | $150,000 – $400,000+ | 16–32 weeks |
Starting prices apply to simple, straightforward projects. Final pricing depends on size, access, demolition, materials, permits, structure, site conditions and finishing choices.
We don't aim to be the cheapest — we aim to be the most predictable, especially on heritage.
Generic contractors quote heritage work like new construction — and then deliver new-construction results in a heritage home. The price looks good. The home loses its character — and its heritage designation, sometimes.
Proper heritage restoration costs more per square foot than standard renovation: longer lead times for materials, more skilled hours per element, more documentation. But you keep the heritage value, and the work appraises and re-sells accordingly.
Why homeowners trust us with heritage work
Heritage-district experienced.
Ottawa: Sandy Hill, Centretown, Lowertown, the Glebe (heritage character), Rockcliffe Park. Gatineau: parts of Aylmer, Old Hull. We've worked with the relevant heritage approvals before.
Period-correct materials and techniques.
Real lime plaster. Wood window restoration (not replacement). Reproduction trim profiles. Custom-milled mouldings where stock won't match. Salvage where appropriate.
Skilled trades who do heritage work.
Heritage carpentry, plasterers who work in lime, masons who can repoint fieldstone. Not a generic crew with generic methods.
Permit and committee navigation.
We file the Heritage Permit, attend the committee meeting if required, document the work. You don't navigate municipal heritage approvals alone.
Documentation for resale.
Before/after photography, materials specifications, heritage approval letters. Future buyers (and home inspectors) notice when the heritage work is documented.
“Reno-Ottawa demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a keen attention to detail. They listened carefully to my ideas and provided valuable suggestions.”
— Tim G., Orleans
Heritage restoration questions
Is my home a heritage property?
Two ways to find out: (1) Look up your property on the City of Ottawa Heritage Register (online) or Ville de Gatineau heritage inventory. (2) Check if you're in a designated Heritage Conservation District — Centretown, Sandy Hill, Lowertown, parts of Aylmer/Old Hull are all designated. A property can be heritage-designated even if it's not in a heritage district.
Do I need a heritage permit for renovations?
If your home is individually designated (Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act) or in a Heritage Conservation District (Part V), yes — for any exterior alteration and many interior alterations. We submit the Heritage Permit application to the City and represent you at the committee if needed.
How long does heritage approval take?
City of Ottawa heritage permits: typically 6–12 weeks. If the project triggers a full Conservation Review Board hearing (substantial alterations), 3–6 months. Gatineau heritage zones have their own process, varying by sector. We plan timelines around this.
Will heritage restoration cost more than regular renovation?
Yes, typically 20–40% more per square foot. Reasons: longer material lead times (period-correct trim doesn't come from a big-box store), more skilled hours per element, more documentation, slower install pace. But heritage homes also appraise differently, and proper restoration preserves heritage value. We're transparent about the cost premium.
Can I add modern features like AC or new bathrooms?
Yes — and we encourage it. Heritage restoration isn't about freezing the home in 1880. It's about respecting the heritage character on the elements that matter (facade, period interiors, original detail) while bringing modern function (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, insulation, bathrooms) up to current standards in a sensitive way.
What about windows — restore or replace?
Almost always restore, if the windows are original to the heritage character. Wood sash windows with weight systems can be restored to operate beautifully and to meet modern energy standards with interior storm panels or restoration storms. Replacing original heritage windows is often disallowed in heritage districts and almost always reduces home value.
What heritage materials do you work with?
Lime plaster (interior), period-correct trim profiles (custom-milled where needed), reproduction hardware, salvage flooring (where matching new isn't possible), fieldstone repointing (heritage masonry), wood window restoration components. Specific materials depend on the era and style of your home (Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian Revival, Art Deco — all common in Ottawa-Gatineau).
Do you do energy upgrades on heritage homes?
Yes — sensitively. Heritage homes can absolutely be insulated, air-sealed, and upgraded to modern energy standards. The approach has to respect heritage attributes: blown-in insulation in non-heritage walls, interior storm windows instead of replacing originals, careful retrofit of historic openings rather than reframing.
Will heritage work increase the value of my home?
Properly executed heritage restoration typically protects or increases value, especially in heritage districts where buyers expect period-correct quality. Poorly executed heritage work — modern materials, wrong profiles, removed original features — can reduce value substantially and sometimes triggers heritage enforcement action.
How do I get started?
Book a heritage consultation. We come to your home, document what's there, discuss what you want to achieve, and give you a realistic scope with real numbers.
"Having a contractor that is solution oriented showcasing innovation and creativity during the unexpected, definitely made the process easier and more enjoyable."
— Hussain R., Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa
Ready to restore your heritage home?
One conversation. A period-correct plan. Real numbers. No surprises.
Book a heritage consultationOr call us directly: (613) 880-8024