Stamped concrete in Barrhaven: what is the price per square foot?

Published Ottawa-area prices put stamped concrete at roughly $15 to $45 or more per square foot, installed.

What moves the price within that range includes the size of the area and whether a small job triggers a minimum charge (Ottawa price pages note small jobs often hit a minimum charge of about $5,500), the depth of excavation and granular base required, whether old concrete needs to be removed and disposed of, the complexity of the stamped pattern, the number of colours, and how easily equipment can reach the site. Each belongs in a written quote.

A few City of Ottawa rules apply to this work. Any business installing a stamped concrete patio, walkway or steps on private property in Barrhaven 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 that licence and to check the contractor's name against the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors. The licence requires the contractor to carry commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 inclusive per occurrence and automobile liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000, and to provide you with a written contract and a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide. The City's patio page says a ground-supported patio that meets all four conditions listed there is exempt from a building permit, but that exemption does not override the zoning by-laws: both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and Zoning By-law 2026-50 apply to applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, with the most restrictive provisions of each governing. If the patio is near the front or exterior side yard, the soft landscaping minimums in Zoning By-law 2026-50 section 802 apply, and you should confirm the rules for your specific lot with the City. If any digging is involved, 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; locates are free.

When comparing quotes, ask for the concrete compressive strength in writing: the 2024 Ontario Building Code sets 32 MPa as the standard for exterior flatwork. Ask for the base depth and granular material specification, the pattern and colour details, whether removal and disposal of any existing concrete is included, and what cold-weather protection is included if the pour falls when the air temperature is below 5 °C. The City's Trail Waste Facility accepts clean concrete without rebar at $144 per tonne above 250 kg. Ask who will submit the locate request.

The single most useful question to ask before signing: what is the compressive strength of the concrete you will supply, and can you show me your City of Ottawa Hardscaping Contractor Licence?