About Renfrew

The Town of Renfrew has a population of approximately 8,000 and sits at the confluence of the Bonnechere River and the Muskrat River, about 50 kilometres south of Pembroke on Highway 17. It is one of Renfrew County's oldest municipalities — incorporated in 1858 — and this history is visible in the housing stock. The downtown core along Raglan and Renfrew Avenue contains Victorian commercial and residential buildings from the late 1800s, many of which are still privately occupied as homes.

The town has a mixed water and sewer picture. The urban core has municipal water and sanitary sewer service. Properties on the outskirts and in the rural sections surrounding the town are on private wells and septic systems. Some properties near the Bonnechere River sit within or close to the flood plain, which has implications for insurance, basement waterproofing requirements, and building permit conditions.

Renfrew has historically been a light industrial and retail centre for the southern half of Renfrew County, with a hospital (Renfrew Victoria Hospital), schools, and commercial services that serve a broader rural catchment area. Contractors based in Renfrew serve the town and surrounding townships including McNab/Braeside, Admaston/Bromley, and Horton.

Housing Stock and Common Issues

Renfrew's housing stock is older on average than Pembroke or Petawawa. The oldest properties in the downtown core date from the 1870s–1900s. A substantial belt of early 20th century (1900–1940) housing surrounds the downtown. Post-war suburban development from the 1950s–1970s occupies the higher ground to the north and south of the valley bottom. Newer development from the 1990s–2010s exists on the town's edges.

  • Fieldstone and early brick foundations — Pre-1920 Renfrew homes frequently have fieldstone foundations with lime mortar that has deteriorated over a century. Water infiltration through the foundation wall is nearly universal in this housing stock. Interior waterproofing systems are the practical solution for most.
  • Knob-and-tube and early aluminum wiring — Homes built before 1960 in Renfrew often still have knob-and-tube wiring or 60-amp fuse panels. These are insurance liabilities. Panel upgrades to 200-amp service with modern breakers are common projects.
  • Bonnechere River flood plain — Properties within the Bonnechere River flood plain face specific constraints: mandatory flood insurance (where available), restrictions on below-grade development, and higher waterproofing standards. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority provides flood plain mapping for this area.
  • Minimal wall insulation — Pre-1960 Renfrew homes typically have plaster-on-lathe walls with no insulation whatsoever. Adding wall insulation without disturbing exterior cladding requires either interior furring or exterior continuous insulation — both are significant projects but eligible for Greener Homes Loan financing.
  • Oil-fired heating systems — Renfrew is partially outside Enbridge's natural gas distribution network. Many older homes heat with fuel oil. Oil furnaces and tanks require TSSA-licensed service and are strong candidates for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.

Top Home Maintenance Priorities

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Basement Waterproofing

Bonnechere River flood plain proximity and fieldstone foundations make basement moisture the primary home maintenance issue in Renfrew. Interior drainage systems and sump pumps are standard interventions.

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Oil-to-Heat-Pump Conversion

Renfrew homeowners on fuel oil pay among the highest heating costs in the province. The federal OHPA grant (up to $10,000) covers much of the conversion cost. A ground-source heat pump paired with attic insulation upgrades can cut heating bills by 50–70%.

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Attic and Wall Insulation

Pre-1960 Renfrew homes have almost no insulation. Attic blown-in to R-49 plus whatever wall assembly is feasible should be the priority before any other renovation work. The energy savings fund subsequent projects.

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Electrical System Upgrade

Knob-and-tube wiring in Renfrew's oldest homes is now creating insurance problems as underwriters tighten requirements. A full rewire or documented panel upgrade satisfies most insurers and brings the home to modern capacity.

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Roof and Eaves Maintenance

Victorian Renfrew homes often have complex rooflines — dormers, multiple valleys, ornate eaves — that collect debris and ice. Annual cleaning of valleys and gutters plus inspection of flashing around penetrations prevents the water infiltration that destroys century-home woodwork.

Grants and Energy Programs

  • Canada Greener Homes Loan — $40,000 interest-free. Deep energy retrofits on older Renfrew homes are exactly what this program is designed for.
  • Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program — Up to $10,000 for Renfrew homeowners on fuel oil heating switching to air source or ground source heat pumps.
  • Accessibility Grants — Renfrew's older population and two-storey Victorian housing stock create demand for accessibility modifications. Federal AAFP grants cover ramps, grab bars, and main-floor bath additions.
  • HST Rebate — Substantial renovation projects on older Renfrew homes may qualify for the federal and Ontario HST new housing rebate if renovation scope meets the threshold.

Home Services

  • Insulation — Critical for Renfrew's pre-1960 housing stock
  • Roofing — Complex Victorian rooflines require experienced contractors
  • Well Drilling — For properties on the Renfrew outskirts on private wells
  • Septic Systems — Rural Renfrew properties on private septic
  • Basement Waterproofing — Fieldstone foundation treatment and interior drainage
  • Foundation Repair — Structural assessment for century-old fieldstone and brick
  • Electricians — Panel upgrades and rewiring for pre-1960 homes
  • Snow Plowing — Commercial and residential contracts in town

Hiring a Contractor in Renfrew

Renfrew has a modest local contractor base supplemented by contractors from Pembroke (50km north on Hwy 17) and Ottawa-area contractors who serve this corridor. For heritage properties in Renfrew's older neighbourhoods, contractor experience with pre-1940 construction is critical — century homes have plaster, horsehair mortar, old-growth timber framing, and non-standard dimensions that differ fundamentally from modern construction. Specify heritage experience requirements when requesting quotes.

Building permits in Renfrew are issued by the Town of Renfrew at renfrew.ca. For projects in the Bonnechere River flood plain, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority may require a permit in addition to the town permit. Check both authorities for any flood plain property before starting work.

Oil-to-heat-pump conversions are one of the highest-priority projects for Renfrew homeowners on fuel oil. The TSSA-licensed oil burner technician who decommissions your oil furnace and tank must be verified through tssa.org before work begins. Improperly decommissioned oil tanks create ongoing environmental and liability exposure. The federal OHPA grant (up to $10,000) covers a significant portion of the conversion cost — see Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program for details.

For a complete contractor hiring framework applicable to all Renfrew County communities, see our Hiring a Contractor in Ontario guide.

Nearby Areas