How much do new poured concrete steps cost in Ottawa?

Published Ontario prices for a set of poured concrete steps run about $2,500 to $5,000 or more for a set of three to five steps, and that range can shift considerably depending on the specifics of your job.

What moves the number: the number of risers and the overall height, whether the steps need footings dug below grade, the width of the staircase, the finish (broom, exposed aggregate or stamped), removal and disposal of the old steps, and whether a landing is included. The 2024 Ontario Building Code sets a minimum width of 860 mm for exterior stairs serving a single dwelling unit. For steps with more than two risers, the Code requires the foundation to follow the depth rules in Table 9.12.2.2, which in clay soils means 1.2 m but not less than the depth of frost penetration; in well-drained coarse soils there is no minimum depth limit. That footing work adds to the price and belongs in the written specification.

A few City rules apply here. The City of Ottawa's Hardscaping Contractor Licence has been required since March 1, 2026 for any business that installs steps on private property; the licence costs $319 for 2026 and requires the contractor to carry commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 and to provide a written contract. The City's Landscaping Education Guide states that stairs and landings that provide access to a building may need a building permit; ask the City's Building Code Services before work starts, because the answer depends on the elevation change, the grade and whether the steps serve a required egress. The City's Building Code Services advisory adds that a structure providing access to a building must include a guard where the difference in elevation between the walking surface and the adjacent surface is more than 600 mm (2'-0") within 1.2 m. If the work involves digging, whoever digs is the excavator under the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 and must submit a locate request through Ontario Dig Authority at least five business days before breaking ground.

Ask for the quote to spell out the number of risers, the footing depth and method, the concrete strength (the Code standard for exterior flatwork is 32 MPa at 28 days), the finish, removal and disposal of the old steps, and the cold-weather protection plan if the pour happens when the air temperature is below 5 °C. The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 requires that if the quote is an estimate, the final charge must not exceed it by more than 10 per cent.

Before you hire anyone, ask them to show you their City of Ottawa hardscaping contractor licence and look up their name on the City's published list of licensed contractors yourself.