Ottawa New Construction
Ottawa's new build market moves fast. Releases sell out quickly, prices change with each phase, and the builder's rep is working for the builder, not you. Here's how to navigate it with confidence.
No GST on new homes for first-time buyers. Ottawa buyers could save up to $50,000 on a qualifying new build.
See who qualifies →A lot of buyers walk into a new construction sales office and assume the process is straightforward: pick a model, sign some papers, wait for the keys. The reality is more complicated, and the purchase agreement you're signing was written by the builder's lawyers.
Having your own agent costs you nothing. In almost every case, the builder pays the buyer's agent commission. What you gain is someone who has read hundreds of these agreements, knows which upgrades are worth the premium, and can push back when something in the contract isn't right.
Ottawa's new construction market covers everything from downtown condos to large suburban freeholds. Here's what each category looks like.
Ottawa's condo market is concentrated in the urban core: Little Italy, Centretown, Lebreton Flats, and along the LRT corridor. New condo projects typically sell in pre-construction phases 3 to 5 years before occupancy. First-time buyers benefit most from the GST exemption here, and occupancy fees apply between completion and final closing.
From ~$350,000The most popular new build category in Ottawa's suburban communities. Townhomes offer a middle ground between condo living and a detached home, with lower maintenance than a freehold but more space and privacy than a condo. Available as traditional row towns, back-to-back towns, and stacked towns depending on the community.
From ~$450,000New detached homes are primarily available in Ottawa's suburban growth areas: Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville, Orleans, Riverside South, and communities like Manotick, Embrun, and Russell further out. Lot sizes and home sizes vary significantly between builders. Many communities are now selling semi-detached as the primary single-family option as land becomes scarcer.
From ~$650,000Ottawa has a strong base of local and national builders. Communities and release schedules change frequently. Reach out for current availability in any area.
Minto Homes
Areas: Barrhaven, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Centretown
One of Ottawa's most established builders with active communities across the city and a strong track record.
Claridge Homes
Areas: Orleans (Avalon), Barrhaven, Stittsville, downtown Ottawa
A major Ottawa builder active in both suburban freehold communities and downtown high-rise condos.
Richcraft Homes
Areas: Barrhaven, Riverside South, Stittsville, Kanata
Active across Ottawa's west and south ends with a wide range of home styles from condos to large detached.
Mattamy Homes
Areas: Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans area
Canada's largest privately-owned homebuilder with a significant presence in Ottawa's major suburban communities.
eQ Homes
Areas: Manotick (Mahogany), Orleans, Rockland
Known for community-focused master-planned developments. Mahogany in Manotick is one of Ottawa's most sought-after new communities.
Caivan Communities
Areas: Orleans, Russell, Embrun, Limoges, eastern Ottawa
Very active in eastern Ottawa and the surrounding communities of Prescott-Russell with freehold and townhome product.
Tartan Homes
Areas: Riverside South, Barrhaven, Stittsville
A longstanding Ottawa builder with communities in the city's south and west ends.
Uniform Urban Developments
Areas: Kanata, Stittsville, west Ottawa
Focused on west Ottawa with freehold and townhome communities in some of the area's fastest-growing neighbourhoods.
Cardel Homes
Areas: Ottawa south, Manotick area, Eastern Ontario
Award-winning builder known for quality finishes and customer satisfaction across suburban Ottawa communities.
Urbandale Construction
Areas: Barrhaven, Kanata, Ottawa west
A long-established Ottawa builder with a strong reputation for energy-efficient construction and suburban communities.
Domicile Developments
Areas: Centretown, Little Italy, Old Ottawa South, urban Ottawa
Ottawa's go-to boutique builder for urban infill condos and townhomes in the city's most established neighbourhoods.
Corvinelli Homes
Areas: Embrun, Russell, eastern communities
A well-regarded smaller builder focused on Prescott-Russell communities east of Ottawa, known for good value and personal service.
Phoenix Homes
Areas: Orleans, Rockland, eastern Ottawa
Active in east Ottawa and Prescott-Russell, with a focus on single-family and semi-detached homes at accessible price points.
Ashcroft Homes
Areas: Ottawa urban core, Lebreton Flats area
Known for urban infill projects and larger condo developments in Ottawa's west-central neighbourhoods.
Tamarack Homes
Areas: Barrhaven, Orleans, Stittsville, Ottawa south
Suburban freehold and townhome communities with a consistent presence across Ottawa's south-end and east-end growth corridors.
Valecraft Homes
Areas: Orleans, eastern Ottawa
A smaller Ottawa builder with a solid reputation in the Orleans market, offering freehold and semi-detached product.
Smaller and regional builders serving the communities east, south, and west of Ottawa's city limits.
Melani Homes
Areas: Rockland, Clarence-Rockland, eastern Ottawa region
A regional builder with a strong presence in Prescott-Russell, offering freehold and semi-detached homes at accessible price points.
SACA Homes
Areas: Orleans, Clarence-Rockland, eastern communities
Active in eastern Ottawa and surrounding areas with freehold and townhome product in growing communities.
C.H. Clement Construction
Areas: Embrun, Russell, Limoges, Prescott-Russell
A well-known regional builder in eastern Ontario's francophone communities, particularly strong in the Embrun and Russell areas.
LeClair Homes
Areas: Rockland, Clarence-Rockland, eastern Ontario
A local family builder serving the Rockland area and broader Prescott-Russell region with freehold and semi-detached homes.
HN Homes
Areas: Ottawa south, Manotick area, rural Ottawa
Boutique builder known for custom and semi-custom homes in Ottawa's rural and semi-rural communities south of the city.
Longwood Builders
Areas: Barrhaven, Ottawa south, rural communities
A smaller Ottawa-area builder focused on quality freehold and townhome construction in the south end and surrounding rural areas.
Builder communities and release schedules change frequently. Contact Derek for current availability in your preferred area.
New builds are concentrated in Ottawa's growth corridors. Here's what's happening in each area and what to expect.
Ottawa's most active suburban new build market. Multiple builders are active here with a mix of detached, semi, and townhome product. A strong choice for families wanting newer infrastructure, good schools, and access to major retailers.
Active builders: Minto, Richcraft, Mattamy, Tartan, Urbandale, Tamarack
Browse Barrhaven listings →Ottawa's tech corridor and one of the most in-demand new build markets in the region. Strong employment base, excellent schools, and a mature community feel with new development continuing on the west edge. Uniform, Mattamy, and Minto are particularly active here.
Active builders: Mattamy, Minto, Uniform, Richcraft, Cardel
Browse Kanata listings →East Ottawa's largest community continues to grow with new phases releasing regularly in the Avalon and Chapel Hill areas. A bilingual community with good schools and a strong francophone presence. Prices are generally more accessible than the west end.
Active builders: Claridge, Caivan, Phoenix, Valecraft
Browse Orleans listings →One of Ottawa's newest master-planned communities along the Rideau River, now connected to downtown via the Trillium O-Train line. Still actively developing with a mix of townhomes and detached homes. Strong long-term appreciation potential.
Active builders: Richcraft, Claridge, Tartan
Browse Riverside South listings →eQ Homes' Mahogany community is one of the most talked-about new build developments in the Ottawa area: a village-style master-planned community with a lake, trails, and a mix of home types. For buyers who want a slower pace without sacrificing quality of build.
Active builders: eQ Homes (Mahogany), Cardel
Browse Manotick listings →New condo development is ongoing in Centretown, Little Italy, Lebreton Flats, and along the LRT lines. Pre-construction condos in these areas often sell out in early phases. Urban buyers benefit most from transit access and walkability scores.
Active builders: Claridge, Minto, Domicile, Ashcroft, Richcraft
Browse Ottawa listings →Eastern Ontario communities within 30 to 45 minutes of downtown Ottawa, offering significantly more land and lower prices. Popular with buyers who prioritize space and value. Caivan is very active here, with multiple phases of freehold and townhome product releasing regularly.
Active builders: Caivan, Corvinelli, Phoenix
Browse Russell listings →Growing fast with new phases of freehold and townhome product from several builders. Located 30 minutes east of Ottawa with its own schools and amenities. One of the more affordable new build markets in the region for detached homes.
Active builders: eQ Homes, Phoenix, various smaller builders
Browse Rockland listings →The process is different from resale. Here's what to expect from registration to keys.
Register with Derek before visiting any sales centre. Get mortgage pre-approval so you know your budget and can act quickly when a release happens.
Select your community, model, lot, and elevation. Derek helps you evaluate floor plans, standard finishes, and whether the upgrade packages are worth the cost.
The purchase agreement is long and favours the builder. Derek reviews it with you and your lawyer before you sign. This is where most buyers make costly mistakes on their own.
Deposits are typically staggered over the build period. Derek stays in contact with you throughout, and guides you through the pre-delivery inspection before closing.
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll reach out when new releases match your criteria. No spam, no pressure.