What a Designated Substance Survey Costs in Ottawa
$250 to $1,300 per survey
Pre-renovation inspections and surveys, published Ontario contractor prices read in September 2026, depending on the size of the building and the number of samples.
Published Ontario contractor prices read September 2026 · reviewed 2026-09-28 · how we set these ranges
Section 30 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act says that before beginning a project the owner shall determine whether any designated substances are present and prepare a list. How section 30 applies to a house the owner lives in is not settled. The exemption in O. Reg. 278/05 covers a home the owner or their family lives in, and a building of up to four units where the registered owner or family lives in one of them. A landlord who doesn't live in the building, a building of more than four units, and commercial property are not covered.
Ask before you sign
- Which of the eleven designated substances will the survey look for?
- How many samples are included?
- Will the report list each substance by location?
- Can the report go to every contractor who bids?
More on this work: Designated Substance Survey
Quick answers
What are the designated substances?
O. Reg. 490/09 lists eleven: acrylonitrile, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, coke oven emissions, ethylene oxide, isocyanates, lead, mercury, silica and vinyl chloride.
Does the City of Ottawa ask for a survey with a demolition permit?
A survey is not listed as a submission item on the City's demolition permit page. The page points owners to section 30.
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