How to Choose a Renovation Contractor in Ottawa

Before you call anyone

The Ontario government’s guidance for homeowners starts with your own preparation:

• Make a list of exactly what you want done. Changing plans in the middle of a project will cost extra money.
• Set a clear budget.
• Ask friends and neighbours for recommendations.
• Consider a local company, which can make it easier to check references, enforce a warranty or arrange follow-up work.

Get at least three written estimates

Ontario recommends at least three written estimates from different contractors. A good estimate describes the work, itemizes products and services with prices, and lists everything you expect.

Never accept an estimate over the phone, or from a contractor who has not inspected the area. Good contractors ask a lot of questions so they can understand and plan the project. Be careful with any deal that sounds too good to be true.

Check references and track record

• Ask for at least three references, and call them, even if a friend recommended the contractor.
• Choose references for similar work, from both the recent past and further back. Some problems do not show for a year or more.
• Search the business and the owner’s name in the Consumer Beware List and in recent postings of charges and convictions under the Consumer Protection Act.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau, local chamber of commerce and the city for any information they hold.

Insurance, safety coverage and licences

Ontario states that workers and independent operators in the construction industry must have workplace safety and insurance coverage, with some exceptions, and points to the WSIB for checking coverage. It also suggests asking whether tradespeople hold certification from Skilled Trades Ontario.

For electrical work, a contractor must hold an Electrical Safety Authority licence. Ask for their licence number, check that it appears on their work vehicle and on the written estimate, and confirm they will arrange a certificate of inspection if one is needed.

What a contract should include

Under Ontario law, a home renovation contract worth more than $50 must be in writing. Ontario lists what it should contain:

• The contractor’s name, address and contact details
• A thorough description of the work and the materials to be used
• A clear description of any warranties
• The total cost and terms of payment, including the deposit
• A work schedule with start and completion dates
• Who is responsible for cleanup
• Any sub-trades that will be hired and who pays for them

If the estimate is part of the contract, the final price cannot be more than 10% over it unless you have agreed in writing to new work or a new price.

Deposits and payments

• Keep the down payment to a minimum. Ontario recommends no more than 10%.
• Never pay the full amount before the work is done.
• Avoid cash deals. If you do pay in cash, get a detailed, signed receipt.
• If a contractor offers financing, it may be wiser to arrange your own.

Cooling-off period and permits

If you sign a home renovation contract worth $50 or more in your home, Ontario gives you a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel for any reason without a cancellation fee.

It is your responsibility to get building permits. If you want the contractor to handle them, say so in the contract, and do not allow construction to begin until you have seen the permits. In Ottawa, see our guide on which renovations do not need a permit.

Questions to ask every contractor

• Who will be on site each day, and who is my single point of contact?
• Which parts do you do yourselves and which are subcontracted?
• How do you handle changes and hidden problems, and how are they priced?
• What warranty applies, and what does it cover?
• Can I see similar projects and speak to those customers?

Get a written estimate from Aelia

Aelia Construction and Design offers free written estimates across Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean and Orleans. Ask us the same questions you would ask anyone, and compare our estimate side by side with the others.