Professional · Cost Guide
How Much Does General Contractor Cost in Ontario?
General Contractor costs in Ontario range from $15 – $25 % of project. Prices vary by scope, city, and site conditions.
$15+
Starting price
2-26 weeks
Timeline
15%
Recommended contingency
General Contractor Cost Breakdown
| Scope | Low | High | Unit | Labour | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC management fee (% of project cost) | $15 | $25 | % of project | 95% | 5% |
| Small renovation ($20K-$50K) | $3,000 | $12,500 | GC fee | 95% | 5% |
| Medium renovation ($50K-$150K) | $7,500 | $37,500 | GC fee | 95% | 5% |
| Major renovation ($150K-$500K) | $22,500 | $125,000 | GC fee | 95% | 5% |
Price Ranges at a Glance
GC management fee (% of project cost)
Small renovation ($20K-$50K)
Medium renovation ($50K-$150K)
Major renovation ($150K-$500K)
What's Included vs Not Included
Typically Included
- Project scheduling and coordination
- Trade contractor procurement and management
- Material ordering and delivery coordination
- Building permit management
- Quality control and inspections
- Client communication and reporting
- Site safety and insurance
Not Included (Extra Cost)
- Trade contractor costs (billed separately)
- Material costs (billed at cost or cost-plus)
- Architectural and engineering fees
- Permit application fees
- Financing costs
- Furniture, appliances, and decor
General Contractor Cost by City
Prices adjusted for local labour rates and material costs across 15 GTA cities.
| City | Low | High | vs Toronto | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Toronto City of Toronto | $15 | $25 | 0% | View |
Mississauga Peel Region | $14 | $23 | -5% | View |
Brampton Peel Region | $14 | $23 | -8% | View |
Vaughan York Region | $14 | $24 | -3% | View |
Markham York Region | $14 | $24 | -3% | View |
Richmond Hill York Region | $14 | $24 | -4% | View |
Aurora York Region | $14 | $23 | -6% | View |
Oakville Halton Region | $15 | $26 | +2% | View |
Burlington Halton Region | $14 | $24 | -4% | View |
Milton Halton Region | $14 | $23 | -8% | View |
Ajax Durham Region | $13 | $22 | -9% | View |
Pickering Durham Region | $14 | $23 | -8% | View |
Oshawa Durham Region | $13 | $21 | -12% | View |
Whitby Durham Region | $13 | $22 | -10% | View |
Hamilton City of Hamilton | $13 | $22 | -10% | View |
Permit & Engineering Costs
Building Permit
Municipality (City of Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, etc.)
Required for structural changes, additions, major renovations. GC typically applies and includes cost in quote. Permit fees are usually 0.5-1.5% of construction value.
$500-$5,000 depending on project value and scope
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Inspection
ESA (provincial, not municipal)
Required for any electrical work beyond replacing devices. Licensed electrician must pull ESA notification and be present for inspection. GC coordinates but electrician pays ESA directly.
$195 basic inspection + $75 per additional hour
Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) Gas Inspection
TSSA (provincial)
Required for new gas lines, appliance installations, HVAC with gas furnace. Licensed gas fitter pulls permit. Required before gas utility will turn on service.
$120-$300 depending on scope
Plumbing Inspection
Municipality (as part of building permit)
Inspected during rough-in stage (before drywall) and final. Pressure testing required for new supply lines. GC schedules via building permit.
Included in building permit fee
Money-Saving Tips
GC markup of 15-25% is standard — compare net cost, not just the management fee.
Fixed-price contracts protect you from overruns — cost-plus contracts give the GC less incentive to control costs.
Ask for a detailed payment schedule tied to milestones, not time — pay for completed work.
A good GC saves you money through trade coordination — poor sequencing wastes thousands in idle labour.
Verify WSIB clearance, liability insurance ($2M minimum), and at least 3 recent references.
Related Cost Guides
General Contractor Cost FAQs
What does a general contractor actually do?
A GC hires and schedules all the trades (plumber, electrician, framer, drywaller, etc.), obtains building permits, orders materials, coordinates inspections, solves day-to-day problems, and manages the construction timeline. You deal with one person instead of 8 different tradespeople. The GC carries liability for the whole project and fixes issues that arise between trades (e.g., electrician damages new drywall). You pay 15-25% markup for this coordination and risk transfer.
Do general contractors need a licence in Ontario?
No provincial licence is required for renovation general contractors. The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) only licenses builders of new homes or condo units. However, reputable GCs carry commercial general liability insurance ($2M-$5M), have valid WSIB clearance (worker injury insurance), and often belong to industry groups like Tarion or OHBA. Individual trades working under the GC (electrician, plumber, gas fitter, HVAC) must be licensed by their respective authorities (ECRA, TSSA, etc.).
How much does a general contractor charge?
GCs typically mark up total project costs by 15-25%. Small projects (<$100K) often see 20-25% markup because coordination time is similar to larger jobs. Big projects (>$300K) may negotiate 15-18% but the GC still makes more absolute dollars. For example, a $100K kitchen reno with 20% markup means $83K goes to labour/materials and $17K to the GC. Alternatively, some GCs quote a fixed contract price that includes their margin baked in.
Should I hire individual trades myself instead of using a GC?
For small, single-trade jobs (replacing a toilet, painting two rooms), hire the trade directly. For multi-trade projects over $50K, a GC makes sense unless you have construction experience and 10-20 hours per week to manage it. Coordinating 8 different trades, scheduling inspections at the right time, solving conflicts (plumber damages tile floor), and handling permit rejections is harder than most homeowners expect. You save 15-25% by acting as your own GC but risk cost overruns from scheduling mistakes and lack of code knowledge.
What should be in a general contractor contract?
Detailed scope of work (not "kitchen reno" but exact deliverables: demolition, new cabinets, quartz counters, subway tile backsplash, etc.), itemized cost breakdown or fixed price, payment schedule tied to milestones (never more than 10% deposit), start and completion dates, change order approval process, warranty terms (1 year minimum), permit responsibility, insurance confirmation, dispute resolution method. Red flags: vague scope, front-loaded payments (50% upfront), no permit language, missing warranty, no change order process.
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