Ontario Building Code · Permits · Costs · Materials
Sophia answers your renovation questions in plain English — with the actual building code section cited, so you walk into every contractor meeting informed.
Most renovation stress comes from not knowing what you don't know. Sophia closes that gap before a single wall opens.
Why Sophia
The building code is 2,000 pages. Contractors speak a language you don't. Sophia translates both — so you make decisions with confidence, not anxiety.
01
Ask "how high does my deck railing need to be?" and get the exact OBC section number, the measurement, and what it means for your project.
02
When you understand the minimum requirements, you spot shortcuts before they're made — not after inspection fails and the wall has to come back down.
03
Ask what something should cost. Get a realistic Ontario market range — so you know if the quote in front of you makes sense.
04
Your egress window research from three weeks ago is still there. A complete record of every question and answer — organized, searchable, yours.
05
Knowing your rights as a homeowner — what requires a permit, what doesn't, what the inspector will look for — changes how you show up.
06
Not a forum thread from 2018. The actual 2024 Ontario Building Code, interpreted for your situation, in under a minute.
What homeowners say
"I was about to start my basement renovation without the right permits. Sophia flagged exactly what I needed before I made a costly mistake."
Homeowner, Mississauga
"Asked about egress window requirements and got a clear answer with the actual code section in under a minute. My contractor was impressed."
First-time renovator, Brampton
"Sophia helped me understand what questions to ask my contractor. I felt informed walking into every meeting — that feeling alone was worth it."
Homeowner, Caledon
How it works
Type anything — "do I need a permit to add a bathroom?" or paste your contractor's quote. No special language required.
Sophia returns a plain-English answer with the specific OBC section number — verifiable and referenceable with your contractor or inspector.
Every conversation is saved automatically. Build a complete record of your renovation research — organized by topic, always one search away.
Try asking Sophia
Click any question — it'll be waiting when you sign up.
"The deck railing height question alone saved me from having to redo the whole thing after inspection. I didn't know what I didn't know — Sophia fixed that."
— Mike D., DIY renovator, Oakville
More from the community
"I used to walk into every contractor meeting feeling like I was being taken advantage of. Now I come in knowing what the code actually says."
Homeowner, Oakville
"The permit question alone saved me weeks. I didn't know I needed one for the deck. Sophia told me before we poured the footings."
First-time renovator, Burlington
"My contractor quoted me for work that didn't meet code. I didn't know — Sophia did. That conversation saved me from a failed inspection."
Homeowner, Georgetown
Simple, transparent pricing
1 credit = 1,000 tokens. An average question costs 2–15 credits. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Free Trial
$0
1 day to try Sophia with real questions. No credit card.
Pay As You Go
$0/mo
Load credits when you need them. $5 gifted when trial ends.
Pro
$19/mo
For active renovators managing a real project start to finish.
Premium
$49/mo
Complex projects, multiple properties, or design-build professionals.
All plans include OBC Part 9 access, automatic project saving, and cited answers. Cancel anytime.