Hole left by an old light fixture in a Kanata ceiling, who patches it?

A drywall contractor patches the ceiling. If wiring is still in the box, removing or capping it is electrical work: electrician is a compulsory trade in Ontario. Published Toronto and Ontario contractor prices for a small patch run about $150 to $600, though a ceiling hole left by a fixture box may fall outside that range depending on its size, so ask for a written quote once a contractor has seen it. These are published prices read October 1, 2026, not Ottawa prices.

What affects the price here: the size of the opening, whether backing needs to be added to support the new piece, the finish level you want, whether texture matching is part of the scope, and whether primer and paint are included or quoted separately.

What the quote should say:

• the size of the opening and how it will be backed
• the finish level the patch is brought to
• whether texture matching is needed and priced in
• whether primer and paint are included, and whether the whole ceiling is repainted or only the patch
• who handles the wiring, if any is left in the box

If the room above or beside the ceiling is an attached garage, the patch also restores the gas barrier the Building Code wants between the garage and the house, so ask for it to be sealed. On permits, the City's lists do not name ceiling patching; if the patch is part of bigger work, ask the City's Building Code Services.

Before work starts, have the scope, the price and the start and completion dates in a signed written contract.