Door Widening
Widening doorways (or fitting offset hinges) so wheelchairs and walkers pass through easily.
Typical cost: $500–$2,500 per doorway
How much do door widening cost in Canada?
- Swing-clear hingesAdds about two inches
- $30 to $150
- Door widened to 32 to 36 inReframe within the wall
- $700 to $2,500
- Structural widening, new headerLoad-bearing wall work
- $2,500 to $6,000+
Installed prices in CAD, illustrative as of 2026. What you pay depends on whether you just swap the hinges, reframe the opening, or rebuild a load-bearing wall, plus any wiring or finishing involved.
Compare door widening brands
The major brands sold in Canada, with where each one fits. We note real differences in service and reliability, not just price, so you can ask the right questions. Each quote goes to vetted local dealers.
Swing-clear (offset) hinges
Door Widening
Special hinges that swing the door fully out of the opening for extra clearance.
- Price tier
- Budget
- Added clearance
- Adds about 2 inches
Best for: A quick, low-cost gain when you are an inch or two short.
Pocket-door conversion
Door Widening
Replaces a swinging door with one that slides into the wall, freeing the full opening.
- Price tier
- Mid-range
Best for: Tight hallways and bathrooms where a swinging door is in the way.
Full door widening
Door Widening
The opening is reframed and a wider door fitted for true wheelchair clearance.
- Price tier
- Mid to premium
- Finished width
- 32 to 36 inch opening
Best for: Lasting, comfortable access for a wheelchair or walker.
Accessibility contractor service
Door Widening
A specialist assesses the doorway and recommends the simplest fix that works.
- Price tier
- Mid-range
Best for: Homeowners who want the right solution without guesswork.
Grants & funding by province
These projects are the best fit for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit and provincial accessibility/renovation grants. March of Dimes' Home & Vehicle Modification Program (Ontario) and Veterans Affairs may also contribute.
Which grants can help pay for this?
Choose your province to see the funding that applies. Federal credits apply across Canada.
- Federal
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
A federal tax credit for renovations that make a home safer or easier to get around, including stair lifts, ramps, walk-in tubs, and grab bars.
- Typical amount
- Up to $20,000 in eligible work a year, worth up to $3,000 back (15%).
- Who qualifies
- Seniors 65 and older, or adults eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, claimed on the yearly tax return.
- Federal
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
A federal credit on eligible medical expenses. A stair lift and similar equipment can qualify with a doctor's note, and can often be claimed alongside the HATC.
- Typical amount
- 15% federal credit on eligible expenses above the yearly threshold.
- Who qualifies
- Anyone with qualifying medical expenses; equipment usually needs a prescription or letter from a doctor.
- Federal
Veterans Affairs Canada (Veterans Independence Program)
Support for eligible veterans and some survivors to stay independent at home, which can include home adaptations and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- Coverage varies by assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Eligible veterans and certain survivors, assessed through VAC.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
March of Dimes Home & Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)
Ontario funding toward home modifications like stair lifts, ramps, and lifts for people with a substantial mobility impairment. Income-tested.
- Typical amount
- Up to $15,000 toward eligible home modifications, for those who qualify.
- Who qualifies
- Ontario residents with a substantial mobility restriction expected to last a year or more; income-tested.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Ontario Renovates (municipal)
Forgivable loans or grants for low-income homeowners to make accessibility and safety repairs, delivered locally (Toronto, Ottawa, London, and others).
- Typical amount
- Varies by municipality (often forgivable loans up to several thousand dollars).
- Who qualifies
- Low-income homeowners; income limits and rules are set by each municipality.
- Provincial
B.C. Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
A refundable B.C. tax credit for renovations that improve access or safety, on top of the federal HATC.
- Typical amount
- Up to $1,000 a year (10% of up to $10,000 in eligible work).
- Who qualifies
- B.C. residents 65 and older, or living with a person with a disability.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Alberta Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) & AADL
RAMP grants help wheelchair users adapt a home; Aids to Daily Living (AADL) cost-shares mobility and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- RAMP up to $7,500 over three years; AADL cost-shares assessed equipment.
- Who qualifies
- Albertans with a permanent mobility disability who use a wheelchair (RAMP); assessed need (AADL).
- Provincial
Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL)
Cost-shared mobility aids and self-help equipment for residents with qualifying disabilities or conditions.
- Typical amount
- Cost-shared by program; varies by item.
- Who qualifies
- Saskatchewan residents with eligible disabilities or chronic conditions.
- Provincial
Manitoba Home Care equipment & adaptations
Equipment and home-adaptation support arranged through the Manitoba Home Care program for people assessed as needing it to stay home safely.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Manitoba residents assessed through the Home Care program.
- Provincial
PEI Disability Support Program
Funding toward accessibility equipment and home modifications for eligible Islanders living with a disability.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- PEI residents who qualify under the Disability Support Program.
- Condition-specific
MS Society of Canada equipment support
Regional MS Society programs can help offset the cost of accessibility and mobility equipment for people living with multiple sclerosis.
- Typical amount
- Varies by region and program.
- Who qualifies
- People living with multiple sclerosis, through regional MS Society chapters.
- Condition-specific
Muscular Dystrophy Canada equipment program
Funding toward mobility and accessibility equipment for people living with a neuromuscular disorder.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Clients of Muscular Dystrophy Canada living with a neuromuscular condition.
Find local door widening contractors
Pick your city to see door widening contractors that serve your area, or use the form to request quotes and a Senior Care Path advisor will gather options from vetted contractors near you, free and no obligation.
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What to look for in door widening
- Clear width for the wheelchair or walker (32"+)
- Offset hinges as a low-cost alternative
- Whether the wall is load-bearing or holds utilities
Frequently asked questions
- How wide should a doorway be for a wheelchair?
- A clear opening of about 32 inches is the usual minimum, and 34 to 36 inches feels far more comfortable. Remember the door and stop eat into the space, so a 32-inch door is not a 32-inch clearance. Measuring the actual gap when the door is open is the honest test.
- Can I widen a doorway without a full renovation?
- Often, yes. Swing-clear hinges can add roughly two inches for very little money and effort, which is sometimes all you need. If you need more, the opening can be reframed. Start with the simplest fix and only go bigger if it is truly required.
- What are swing-clear hinges?
- They are offset hinges that let the door swing completely clear of the opening when it is open. That recovers the inch or two the door panel normally blocks. They are inexpensive, quick to fit, and a great first thing to try.
- How much does it cost to widen a door in Canada?
- Swing-clear hinges can be under $150 for the parts. Reframing an opening to fit a wider door often runs $700 to $2,500. If the wall is load-bearing and needs a new header, costs climb further. The wall type is the biggest factor.
- Does the government help pay for door widening?
- Often, yes. The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit can return up to $3,000 of eligible costs, and the Medical Expense Tax Credit may also apply. Several provinces offer home-modification grants. It is worth checking what your province provides.
- Will widening a doorway affect the wall structure?
- It can, if the wall carries weight from above. A non-load-bearing wall is fairly simple to open up, while a load-bearing one needs a proper header for safety. This is where a qualified contractor matters. They will confirm the wall type before any work begins.
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