Sources and Methodology: 3+ Sources Behind Every Price Range

In short

Sources and methodology in brief: programs are checked at the official source. Prices are ranges built by comparing several commercial sources, dated and shown with the factors that make them vary.

Official sources we consult

Depending on the topic, we rely mainly on the following organizations:

The Government of Canada and provincial governments, including the Government of Ontario and its ministries responsible for energy and housing
The Canada Revenue Agency and provincial tax authorities, for tax credits and sales tax
Natural Resources Canada, for federal energy efficiency programs and guidance
Energy programs and utilities, such as Save on Energy, the Home Renovation Savings Program and Enbridge Gas
Provincial consumer and building authorities, such as Consumer Protection Ontario, for your rights when you hire a contractor
Municipalities, for local programs, loans and building permits

Each guide links directly to the official pages it used. Our commitments are described in our editorial policy.

How we set prices

No public agency publishes average prices for renovation work. Our ranges therefore come from prices published by commercial sources, which we compare with one another.

Each price guide compares at least three commercial sources from the current year: quote platforms, contractors or manufacturers, price directories. When a figure rests on only one or two sources, the guide says so.
We keep the range the sources agree on, from lowest to highest, rather than a single number. When two sources disagree, we show the gap and what explains it, for example a different reference size or different work included.
In our guides, each commercial source is described by its type and the date of its data.
For materials, we record the prices posted by retailers in the province concerned on the day we check, converting a box price to a price per square foot when needed. A clearance or sale price is labelled as such.
Worked examples are our own calculations, made from these ranges and presented as such. The calculators in our Tools section use the same ranges.
Unless stated otherwise, prices are in Canadian dollars, before taxes. In Ontario, add the 13% HST (see the Canada Revenue Agency); elsewhere in Canada, use the GST, HST or provincial sales tax that applies.
Each range shows the date of its sources and is reviewed at least once a year.

What makes a price vary

Your region, the age and condition of the house, access to the work area, the season, the quality of materials and contractor availability can change the cost of a project a great deal. Our ranges are for planning a budget, not a substitute for a quote.

RénoClair cost calculators

Our calculators apply the same rules: every price comes from published, dated sources cross-checked across several independent domains, rebates and permits come from official texts, and RénoClair assumptions are named as such. Prices currently cover Quebec; a province is added only after its data is verified. Data reviewed in November 2026, next review in February 2027.

Limits

Government programs can change or close without notice. Before spending money, always confirm the conditions with the organization responsible and get written quotes.