5 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Renovation Contract in Ontario
Quick Answer: Before signing any renovation contract in Ontario, ask five questions:
1. Is your price fixed or an estimate?
2. Can you provide WSIB and insurance certificates?
3. Who are the licensed tradespeople on my project?
4. Will you pull the permits and manage inspections?
5. Can I speak to three local references?
A contractor who hesitates to answer any of these questions is a risk you don't need to take.
Table of Contents
Why Most Renovation Disputes Start Before Construction Does
Question 1: Is This Price Fixed or an Estimate?
Question 2: Can You Show Me Your WSIB and Insurance Certificates Today?
Question 3: Who Are the Licensed Tradespeople on My Project?
Question 4: Will You Pull the Permits and Manage All Inspections?
Question 5: Can I Speak to Three Recent Local References?
Bonus: What to Read in the Contract Before Signing
Why most renovation disputes start before construction does?
The most common reason renovation projects go wrong in Ontario is not because of the bad tradespeople or poor materials. It's a bad agreement at the start.
A vague scope. An "estimate" instead of a fixed price. No permits discussed. A contractor who hasn't confirmed who's doing the electrical.
By the time these problems surface, usually after demolition is complete and the budget is already committed, the homeowner has very little leverage. Ontario's Consumer Protection Act gives you rights, but enforcing them mid-project is painful and expensive.
This is especially true on complex projects like a basement renovation in Durham Region, where permits, inspections, electrical work, plumbing, and fire-code compliance all need to be coordinated properly before construction begins.
The five questions below take less than ten minutes to ask. They tell you almost everything you need to know about a contractor before you sign anything.
Government of Ontario guidance is clear: always get a written contract, verify WSIB coverage, and confirm that the contractor will obtain all required permits before work begins.
Question 1: Is this price fixed or an estimate?
This is the single most important question you can ask.
The difference between a fixed price and an estimate sounds technical. In practice, it determines whether your $75,000 kitchen renovation in Whitby, ON stays at $75,000 or becomes $95,000 halfway through.
An estimate is a best guess. Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, a contractor cannot exceed their written estimate by more than 10% without your written consent, but that still means a $75,000 estimate can become $82,500 without any change in your scope. And the 10% cap only applies to the original estimate amount, not to change orders added after signing.
A fixed price is a locked number. Any scope changes, additions you request, or unforeseen conditions beyond what any reasonable inspection could have identified are handled through formal written change orders that you approve before additional work proceeds.
Ask directly: "Will this number change after I sign if we stick to the agreed scope?"
A legitimate contractor answers yes without hesitation. Vague answers like "it depends" or "we'll do our best" are not acceptable; they're signals that the price will move.
Follow-up question worth asking: "How do you handle change orders if something unexpected is found inside the walls?"
The answer should describe a clear process: a written change order, your approval required, work stops until you sign. Not "we'll figure it out as we go."
Question 2: Can you show me your WSIB and insurance certificate today?
Not tomorrow. Not next week when the project starts. Today or within 24 hours.
WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) confirms the contractor's workers are covered under Ontario's workplace injury program. Without it, an injured worker on your property could become your financial liability.
The Ontario government advises homeowners to contact the WSIB directly to check coverage status before work begins. You can do this at wsib.ca using the contractor's business name or account number. A clearance certificate should be dated within the past 90 days.
If you're unsure what documents a legitimate contractor should provide before starting work, our licensed renovation contractor guide explains the key certifications, insurance requirements, and verification steps Ontario homeowners should understand before signing a renovation agreement.
Liability insurance (minimum $2 Million general liability) protects your home if the contractor damages your property or if a third party is injured. Ask for the certificate of insurance, confirm the coverage amount, the expiry date, and that the policy is active.
A contractor who cannot produce these two documents within 24 hours has one of two problems: the documents don't exist, or the contractor is disorganized enough that you don't want them managing your home. Either way, it's a reason to pause.
Question 3: Who are the licensed tradespeople on my project?
A renovation is not one person. It's a team, and the quality of that team is only as strong as its least qualified member.
In Ontario, certain trades must be licensed and certified:
Electricians must be registered with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
Plumbers must be certified through Skilled Trades Ontario
HVAC technicians must hold appropriate TSSA or trade certifications
Gas fitters must hold a G1 or G2 licence issued by TSSA
Ask the contractor specifically: "Who is the electrician on this project? Can you give me their ESA licence number?" Same for plumbing and any other licensed trade in your scope.
You can verify an electrician's licence at esasafe.com. Skilled Trades Ontario certifications can be confirmed at skilledtradesontario.ca.
A contractor who uses unlicensed trades is not saving you money; they're removing your protection. Unpermitted or uncertified electrical work voids your home insurance and creates serious safety risks.
Question 4: Will you pull permits and manage all inspections?
Permits exist to protect you. Inspections exist to confirm that the work was done correctly. A contractor who suggests skipping either is not doing you a favour.
In Durham Region and across Ontario, building permits are required for any renovation involving:
Structural changes (wall removal, additions)
Electrical work beyond simple fixture replacement
Plumbing modifications
HVAC changes
Any change affecting fire separation or egress
The permit is in the contractor's name. If something goes wrong on a permitted project, the municipality has a record of who was responsible. If something goes wrong on an unpermitted project, that responsibility falls to you as the homeowner.
Ask specifically: "Will you obtain the building permit before work begins?" And: "Who manages the inspection scheduling?"
The right answer: the contractor handles all permit applications, all inspection bookings, and is present on-site for every inspection. You don't interact with the building department at all.
If a contractor answers, You can get the permit yourself," or "we don't need a permit for this," dig further. Homeowner-pulled permits exist but should be discussed openly, not deflected. And any scope that genuinely requires a permit but is described as not needing one is a serious red flag.
Question 5: Can I speak to three recent local references?
Reviews on Google and HomeStars matter. References matter more. That said, online feedback still helps you identify patterns in communication, professionalism, cleanliness, and project management consistency. Before hiring any contractor, take time to read our client reviews from homeowners across Durham Region and the GTA.
A reference is a real conversation with a real homeowner who went through what you're about to go through with this specific contractor, on a similar project, in the past 12–18 months.
Ask for three. Ask that at least two be from Durham Region: Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, or Pickering. A contractor who has worked locally understands your building department, your housing stock, and your permit process. That local familiarity has real value.
When you call references, ask three questions:
"Did the project come in on budget?" If the answer is no, ask why.
"Were there any surprises after the contract was signed?" How a contractor handles problems tells you more than a project that went perfectly.
"Would you hire them again?" A pause before this answer is informative.
A contractor who cannot provide local references or who provides references from projects more than two years ago is either new to the area or has a reason for not offering recent contacts. Neither is reassuring.
Bonus: What to check in the “renovation contract” before signing
Even if a contractor answers all five questions correctly, don't sign anything until you've confirmed the contract contains:
Full legal name and business address of the contractor
Complete scope of work, room by room, trade by trade
Materials specified by type, grade, or brand, where relevant
Fixed total price, not a range
Payment schedule tied to milestones, not dates
Permit acquisition responsibility is stated explicitly
Change order process described in writing
Warranty terms: what's covered, for how long
Project start and estimated completion dates
What happens if work stops the contractor's obligations
Ontario's Consumer Protection Act requires renovation contracts over $50 to be in writing. Reviewing a contractor's paperwork is important, but so is verifying the quality and consistency of their past work. Explore our completed projects to see examples of professionally managed renovation projects across the GTA.
How Urban RenoProjects answers these questions
Apply the same questions to us. Here's where we stand, no hedging.
Fixed price? Yes. Every Urban RenoProjects contract is fixed price. Change orders only occur when you request additional scope or when conditions genuinely beyond reasonable pre-inspection are discovered. We describe our change order process in the contract.
WSIB and insurance? Yes. We provide both certificates before the project starts. WSIB clearance available on request. Liability insurance minimum $2M.
Licensed trades? Yes. Every licensed trade on our project, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, holds appropriate Ontario certification. We'll give you the names and licence numbers.
Permits? Yes. We pull every required permit across Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and Clarington. We manage every inspection. You don't deal with the building department.
Local references? Yes. We have completed projects across Durham Region. Call us, and we'll connect you with recent clients in your area. You can also read our client reviews to see how homeowners describe our communication, workmanship, and project experience.
If you're planning a renovation and want clarity on pricing, permits, timelines, or scope before committing, book a free consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a renovation contractor in Ontario start work before the permit is approved?
Some cosmetic work, painting, and flooring that doesn't require structural changes can begin before a permit is issued. Any structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work cannot legally begin without an approved permit. A contractor who starts permitted work before approval is issued puts your project at risk of a stop-work order.
2. What is the maximum deposit I should pay a renovation contractor in Ontario?
A deposit of 10–25% is standard. Never pay more than 30% upfront. Structure subsequent payments to project milestones ot dates. The final payment should not be made until a full walkthrough is complete and all deficiencies are addressed to your satisfaction.
3. What if my contractor demands more money mid-project without a change order?
Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, a contractor cannot exceed their written estimate by more than 10% without your written consent. Any amount above that without a signed change order is not enforceable. Put your objection in writing, reference the original contract price, and do not pay until a written change order is signed by both parties.
4. Is it safe to hire a renovation contractor from Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace in Durham Region?
Hiring from informal platforms is higher risk, not because all informal contractors are bad, but because the vetting process is entirely on you. Apply the same five questions above regardless of where you found the contractor. Verify WSIB, insurance, and references before signing anything.
Homeowners planning a renovation often have additional concerns about permits, deposits, timelines, and contractor responsibilities. You can also browse our frequently asked renovation questions for more guidance related to Ontario renovation projects.
Don't sign a renovation contract until you have the answers
The right renovation contractor has nothing to hide. They answer these questions directly, provide documentation promptly, and put everything in writing.
Urban RenoProjects is a licensed, insured renovation contractor serving Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and Clarington. We answer all five questions, and we put the answers in your contract.
Book a free consultation to discuss your renovation scope, budget, permits, and timeline before signing a contract.
Or call (416) 879-8379
Written by the Urban RenoProjects Team. Licensed & Insured Renovation Contractor serving Durham Region, Whitby, and the GTA. WSIB Certified. Ontario Building Code compliant.
Sources Referenced:
Government of Ontario Your Rights When Starting Home Renovations (ontario.ca)
Ontario Consumer Protection Act, 2002 S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. A
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) wsib.ca
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Contractor Licence Verification (esasafe.com)
Skilled Trades Ontario Certification Verification (skilledtradesontario.ca)
Consumer Protection Ontario Home Renovation Contracts
