Boarding an addition's interior in Riverside South, what should the quote list?

An addition is permit work, so a building permit from the City of Ottawa will already be in play before boarding begins. The City's inspection stages include framing, insulation and vapour barrier, and a final inspection, each booked 48 hours in advance. Missing an inspection may mean having to uncover and expose the work, so the quote should make clear who is responsible for coordinating with the City before the board goes up.

For the board itself, the quote should name the thickness and type of board for each surface. Ontario's Building Code, clause 9.29.5.4.(1), requires board that supports insulation to be not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) thick. The Code's Table 9.29.5.3 sets the maximum support spacing by board thickness, orientation and whether the surface will be painted or textured, so ask the contractor which board they are specifying and why it suits the framing in your addition. These are minimums for new work, and you should ask the City how they apply to your renovation.

What the quote should list

• The board: thickness, type and brand for walls and ceiling separately.
• Fastener type (nails or screws) and pattern, since the Code sets maximums for each.
• Ceiling height and any areas that need staging or extra handling.
• The finish level, using the Gypsum Association's GA-214 industry scale. Level 4 is the guide's recommendation for flat paint; Level 5 adds a skim coat over the entire surface and is the guide's recommendation for gloss, sheen or dark paints and critical lighting. Name the level you want in the quote so you can compare bids on the same standard.
• Number of coats of compound on joints, interior angles and fasteners, plus sanding.
• Whether primer and paint are included or are separate.
• Any texture matching if the addition connects to existing finished rooms.
• Waste removal and cleanup.
• Written warranty terms: what is covered, for how long, and whether the warranty transfers to a buyer.

Published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices for hanging, taping and finishing new board run about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of board area. Ceiling height, the finish level and whether primer and paint are included are among the factors that move a quote within that range. These are not Ottawa prices; ask each contractor to break out their figure so you can see what is and is not included.

If the addition is attached to a house built before 1990, Health Canada advises testing before anyone cuts or sands existing material nearby. A positive result means abatement work before boarding starts; ottawaabatement.com covers that side of it.

Before the first sheet goes up, confirm with your contractor exactly which City inspection stages fall between framing and boarding, and get that sequence written into the contract.