Ottawa General Contractors

We are a family of 3 with a 5 year old son.

We hired OGC to facilitate a complete renovation to the first floor of our bungalow, including an approximate 300 sq. ft. addition with basement room below, and a remodelled entrance way, bedroom, bathroom, dining area and kitchen.

The most important objective of our renovation was to modernize and maximize the living space for our family in the most cost efficient way possible. Overall, we did achieve our expectations within our budget.

Having no prior experience working with OGC we researched them online and decided to give them a shot. In addition to having a personal reference from a work colleague who spoke highly of OGC, they appealed to us due to the fact that we would be able to work with them from the design phase to materials selections, and all the way to project execution.

Overall, OGC did a wonderful job, from the design stage all the way to the finished product. The OGC team that worked on our project was very attentive and helpful throughout the whole process. They took the time to listen to any concerns we had and reassured us that our expectations would be met. Throughout the design and build of the renovation, communication was an integral part and OGC uses a platform called Chatter where we took an active role when reaching out to the OGC team at all phases of the project.

We were forewarned that there might be some obstacles and hurdles to overcome but once again we were reassured that they would be managed in a timely manner. The only obstacles were related to the materials selections as some of the materials were late or were incorrect. OGC reacted quickly to rectify the situation and the delay was effectively managed.

Without a doubt, the best part of the renovation process was the finished product, however the highlight was being able to see the design that OGC provided come to life.

If we were looking to do another renovation we would definitely work with OGC again.

We are Laird and Melanie and we were looking for a full service design and build residential renovation company that could take on the renovations we had in mind. Our main priority was to renovate our kitchen; we also wanted to remove the main floor of our laundry room and place it in the basement so the dining room would become open to the kitchen. In addition, we also wanted to install new hardwood flooring throughout our den and upgrade our powder room. Having no records of previous renovations with the Ottawa General Contractors, OGC, we decided to give them a try. We stumbled across them at the Ottawa Spring 2015 home show. The experience was good as a whole as our project manager, Brad, was excellent in terms of being professional and providing good advice on the site. The goal was to have the space, layout and design finished up for Thanksgiving and the objectives were met. We are in love with the new kitchen and spaces. Our favourite part of the renovation process comprised of choosing the styles and features for our kitchen along with the backsplash, paint and counter top selections with their designers and material selections coordinators. The main highlight was having a finished and functioning kitchen. Like most renovations there were some obstacles that we came across but OGC dealt with them in a timely and professional manner. Brad was quick on finding solutions towards the problems we faced and he repaired the floor and fixed the back-up drain issue without any charges to us. We were very appreciative of this gesture. The traits that we liked most about Ottawa General Contractors were members of their team and their prices. We found their contractors, designers, project consultants, and project managers very professional. OGC’s prices for their products and services were of the highest of quality and best bang for our dollar compared to some of the other companies we researched. In the future, we would definitely choose Ottawa General Contractors to do another renovation project with us, we were happy with the work they did and the overall experience we had.

We are Steven and Helen and we were looking for a renovations company to tackle the renovations we had in mind. They consisted of the following: Install Maple hardwood on our main and second floor, redo the stairs, have a pass-through cut out in the wall between the eating area and the family room, remove the brick wall from around the fireplace and install a fireplace feature, and lastly paint some walls on our main floor. After doing some research on the internet we decided to sign on with Ottawa General Contractors, OGC. This was our first experience with OGC and it was good as a whole, as our project manager, Andrew, was excellent with his communication and timely responses. Our favourite part of the renovation process was seeing the floor complete – they looked great!!In addition, we were very happy with the fireplace feature. OGC did a great job modifying the off-the-shelf mantelpiece, which fit the mosaic tile we wanted inside it. There were a few road blocks but we were reassured that they would be dealt with in a timely manner. Getting the permit for the pass-through took almost 3 weeks when we thought it would only take one but once the permit came through, the work on the pass-through was done quickly. There were however some unexpected piping and wiring that needed redoing, but OGC took care of that and at no extra charge. The thing that got us attracted towards Ottawa General Contractors was that we found your office and staff to be professional, and that gave us confidence that your work would be of good quality. In the future, we would definitely choose Ottawa General Contractors to do another build with as we were very happy with the work they did and the overall experience we had.

We are a family of 5, my wife and I and our three young boys. We purchased our house in 2010 and knew from the outset that the kitchen needed a major overhaul and that the lack of a bathroom on the main floor was also a problem. However, before we could undertake any renovations, we moved overseas and rented out the house until we returned to Canada last year (2014).
As the date of return to Canada approach we again turned our attention to the house’s shortcomings and these four years away allowed us to clearly define what we wanted out of our renovations. We settled on an overhaul of our kitchen to add much needed space, as well as convert a back extension into a mudroom, powder room, and laundry room so we could relocate our washer and dryer to the main floor from the basement. A huge consideration was that the wall between the kitchen and DR is load bearing, so this project was not a DYI. Our house is over 100 years old and has three stories, so ensuring that the work is done well was extremely important to us.

We contacted OGC about getting an estimate for the renovation and were greeted by one of their Project Consultant (PC) at our house. The PC took the time to speak with us and get to know what we wanted and how we wanted to go ahead with the project.
The main factors that were important to us were the following:
1. Efficient usage of space. The area we are working with has limited opportunities for expansion. We wanted to ensure that our renovation resulted in a more functional kitchen without losing the dining room.
2. Cost management was also important. We wanted the work done well but without blowing the budget.
After doing some research via the internet and reading various reviews of key renovation companies in Ottawa, a positive experience with their PC and other interactions with OGC, along with requesting references from OGC we were confident we had made the right choice. I felt that the references they provided had not been vetted and gave us the good and the bad of their experience with OGC.
OGC’s builders were great to work with as they were always in a good mood and always responsive to our requests and questions. Our project manager was also excellent. Whenever we had concerns we appreciated that he was never defensive. He would get back to us immediately and always provided options and solutions.
Throughout the build we were always in the know and were always able to communicate with OGC through their online platform called Chatter. Chatter was a very helpful tool. It allowed us to interact with the OGC people that we did not get to see or speak with on a regular basis but were key on some aspects of the projects such as selecting materials and fixtures. The tool is extremely useful and I would encourage OGC and its clients to keep using it.
In the end, a combination of competitive price and willingness to work within our preferred approach was the deciding factor. The end result was an obvious highlight as it was what we had expected and what we wanted.
We would choose OGC without hesitation for our next project.

My name is Scott. When my wife and I originally bought our house we assumed we would have plenty of space for the family we were planning to start. As our family grew in number, and the kids grew in size, we quickly outgrew our space. We love our home, and for us moving was not an option. Having a bungalow with a large unfinished basement, a basement renovation was the obvious solution to expanding our livable space.

In our search for a contractor to help us move forward with our project, we were fortunate to find OGC online. We had never dealt with OGC before, but based on the many positive reviews we found online, we decided to contact them through their website. Very quickly someone from OGC called us back. They listened to our renovation objectives, and explained how OGC could work with us to quickly turn around a project proposal which would include a few different options along with detailed budgetary quotes. We were especially impressed with the organized and formalized process used by OGC to take a project through the proposal, design and build phases. For us this was a big differentiator from other contractors we had spoken to.

Going into the design process with OGC, we had a fairly good idea of what we wanted to accomplish with our basement renovation. We knew we would need a bedroom, bathroom, family room, play area and an office. We also wanted to open up our staircase leading down into the basement.

The first step in the design process involved a visit to the house from Brent, who was the OGC Design Manager assigned to our project. Brent spent a lot of time with us; listening, asking questions, and taking measurements of our basement.

Within a few days of that visit, Brent contacted us to invite us back to OGC’s office so that we could review the floor plans and 3D model for the proposed design. During the design review, Brent walked us through the proposed design for our new space. As we reviewed the design, we were able to propose minor changes (extend a wall, move a door, add some custom bookshelves, etc.), and Brent was able to quickly and skillfully incorporate these changes into the 3D model. Instantly, we were able to see 3D visualizations of proposed changes, and quickly make a determination as to whether or not a particular idea worked well or did not work at all. This helped to make the design review, and the ensuing exchange of design ideas, an extremely efficient and highly collaborative process. By the time we were finished with that review session, we felt very confident that we had the design we wanted.

At this point in our renovation project (after completing the design phase and just starting on the build phase), our experience with OGC has been an extremely positive one. All of the OGC staff we have dealt with has been very professional, and genuinely invested in making our project successful. I would definitely recommend OGC to anyone looking to start the design of a home renovation project, and would definitely engage with OGC again myself, for any future design projects.

My name is David Yalden-Thomson, I am a Member of the Canadian Armed Forces. I came across Ottawa General Contractors while attending the Home Show. Due to the fact that my wife and I are full time professionals, we knew we needed a full service design and build firm to help us with our renovation.

I was looking to create plans for several small home renovations that I wanted to arrange over the next few years. This included a new bathroom in the basement, a bathroom upgrade on the main floor, a kitchen renovation, and a rebuild of an old fireplace.

I had an idea of what I wanted to change, but I knew I needed help bringing that vision to life. The OGC team came to my home to examine the location, layout and take measurements. We discussed what my priorities were in order to transform my ideas into a visual representation. This gave me a firm grasp on what I could expect. The designers worked with my wife and I throughout the design process, and also handled the technical requirements to ensure our vision came to life.

Brent, the design manager, was responsible for our file and the final design. With his expertise, he was able to give us everything we hoped for. We had an amazing brainstorm session, in which he was able to show us the designs, as well as make any adjustments. This process was very inclusive, as we were able to work together to create great ideas.

The assistance in the design and material selection process could not have been completed without the help of Jasmine. As the material selection coordinator, she helped us choose the right materials and finishes for our renovation. She tirelessly researched product options and different vendors to create the look we envisioned. She was highly involved in the early stages but her great work got lost in other issues. Nonetheless, the bathroom would not have turned as nice without her expertise. She definitely deserves recognition for her skill and ability.

Before the start date and during the renovation, we used their online Chatter platform as an efficient form of communication. Interacting on Chatter, allowed my wife and I to raise and address any concerns or issues.

We chose Ottawa General Contractors for our renovation to both learn and gain experience working with skilled contractors. It was interesting to see what went on behind the scenes during installation, as it was something I had never experienced before.

My name is Nathalie G and we hired OGC to completely gut and rebuild our main bathroom. The most important objective of our renovation was to have a modern space that is easy to maintain and keep clean. We wanted to work with a reputable and professional company that can assist in our objective.
We chose to sign with OGC because after googling Ottawa Contractors, OGC came back as the top rated results. Furthermore, their online reviews were the best I read.
Working with OGC was a great experience as they did everything we wanted and more. We knew going into the renovation that there would be hiccups, and there were, but they were managed perfectly. The first toilet we received had a manufacturing defect but, that was resolved very quickly. We also asked the contractors to install a curved shower bar that needs to be screwed into the tile. One contractor said that this wouldn't be possible because the glass tile kept breaking but, two other contractors, Phil and Greg, went above and beyond and ended up drilling small rectangles in the tile before installing them on the wall so the bar could be screwed directly into the wall instead of tile.
Our favourite part of the renovation process was seeing the bathroom for the first time after all the work was completed. We also really appreciated the fact that we could get the glass tile that we wanted despite the fact that it is rather a small tile that could have been difficult to install.
We would definitely, recommend OGC to our friends and family as well as work with them in the future. Everyone involved was very professional, including the contractors which I find is very rare as a lot of contractors do the bare minimum and take the easiest way but this wasn’t the case with OGCs’. OGC’s contractors, especially Phil and Greg, did a great job and made sure that everything they did was exactly what we wanted.
We have not done any previous renovations with OGC, however, our experience with them was great! They did everything we wanted and more.

The main floor of our home is approximately 1000 square feet and for several years we have been contemplating a renovation to the main floor. With that in mind, we visited the Ottawa Home Renovation Show in the winter of 2014 and collected information from a variety of companies. In late spring of 2014 we contacted three companies regarding our renovation – two larger firms (including OGC) and one very small company – and had two of those firms visit our home for an onsite assessment.

We had not previously worked with OGC but decided to sign with the company for a variety of reasons including the positive reviews we read while researching the company, a successful initial on site visit and the design/build option that OGC offers (plus the incentive that is offered to go the design/build route).

Before approaching OGC, we could articulate our main objectives: open up the kitchen/living/dining areas, and take the space currently used as an office to (i) expand the bathroom and (ii) create a walk in closet. We had some idea of how this could be accomplished but we did not have a specific design in mind. That is why the design/build option appealed to us.

There were several things we quite enjoyed regarding the design process. The first was working with our designer, Nooreen Haider. Her personality and client service nature made us feel very comfortable. We also enjoyed the software used for the design phase, and more specifically how it allows the client (with the designer) to play with the design in an interactive fashion. This is particularly helpful for clients who may have difficulty envisioning what a space could look like from a 2D rendering.

With respect to improvements that could be made, we did encounter several challenges that, while they did not taint our overall experience, we did want to detail for OGC’s consideration. We would highly recommend providing clients with a full explanation when members of the team assigned to a project change. There was an unexpected, unexplained and rather abrupt change in our OGC contact just as we were signing on for the design phase. The initial meeting with OGC (at our home), and the first meeting at the OGC office, was with an employee named Nick Campbell. Both meetings left us feeling quite comfortable, and both meetings involved fairly detailed discussion regarding our ‘vision’. Although we understood the different roles played by Nick and Noreen, we assumed a transition would take place where Nick would relay to Nooreen what he knew re our ‘vision’. However, just as we were about to sign on for the design/build option, we were told Nick had been reassigned and we would be working with his colleague. Everything worked out in the end, and we enjoyed working with Ziad, however at the time the abrupt change and vague explanation did make us briefly reconsider.

Similarly, Noreen left our project near the end of the design stage. In this case we were given significant notice/explanation, and the design stage was almost complete. However there was some frustration in that the last set of updates were not made to our design before the build phase started. We started the build without the correct/final diagrams, which had to be addressed after the build had started.

Perhaps the biggest challenge we faced during the design phase was the difficulty we had in finalizing a Statement of Work that accurately reflected all of the decisions that had been made regarding the design. We often felt it was left up to us to assure that the SOW reflected recent decisions. Adding to the frustration was what we considered to be vagueness in the descriptions included in the SOW. Line items were sometimes lacking detail, which led to a lack of clarity in what was/was not included. On a related note, the delay in receiving revised estimates, once changes to the design had been agreed upon, was frustrating.

Overall, we are very happy that we started this process with the design option. For anyone planning to build with OGC, we would recommend starting the project with your design phase.

I never used a contractor before and at the time was wary of using one based on stories I had seen on TV. Since using OGC, I would definitely use their services again. Workers arrived at the site on time and were informative, friendly and professional at all times. Quality of work was Excellent! Follow up was excellent as well. When I called about a warranty issue, they were courteous and had a worker on site at the first opportunity I was available. I would definitely recommend this company to friends of mine. The neat thing about this renovation was the number of people I met that I had done business before but did not know they were affiliated with OGC.