Is $45 a square foot too much for stamped concrete in Nepean?

$45 per square foot sits at the top of the published range for stamped concrete, which runs roughly $15 to $45 or more per square foot depending on pattern and colours. It is not automatically too much, but it is a price where the quote needs to spell out exactly what is included before you can judge it.

What the number depends on is the scope behind it. We found no published breakdown of what a $45 stamped price covers, so ask the contractor to list it: the pattern and number of colours, the base work, removal and disposal of existing concrete, any steps or borders, sealing, and cold-weather protection if the pour falls when the air temperature is below 5 °C.

A few City of Ottawa rules apply regardless of price. The contractor doing this work on private property is required to hold a City of Ottawa Hardscaping Contractor Licence, which has been in effect since March 1, 2026. The City's March 2026 news release says to ask to see a copy of the licence and to check the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors. The licence requires the contractor to carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and automobile liability insurance of at least $2,000,000, and to provide you with a written contract and a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide. Ottawa Concrete Pros does not check or verify anyone's licence or insurance. The 2024 Ontario Building Code sets 32 MPa as the standard for exterior flatwork; we found no statement on whether it binds a patio built without a permit, but it is a reasonable benchmark to put in the written specification.

On the consumer protection side, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 says that if your agreement includes an estimate, the supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent above it. Get the scope in writing before work starts. The Construction Act gives you the right to retain a 10 per cent holdback from each payment as work proceeds; get advice for your situation on how that applies to your contract.

Lay two written quotes next to each other and check that each states the base depth and compacted granular material thickness, the concrete strength in MPa, the full description of the finish including pattern, colours and any border, and what happens to the old concrete if there is any, with disposal either included or priced separately.