A written contract is the single most important protection you have during a renovation, and yet many Ottawa homeowners begin work on nothing more than a handshake or a vague one-page estimate. A strong contract prevents misunderstandings, defines exactly what you are paying for, and gives you clear recourse if something goes wrong. It protects the contractor too, which is why reputable professionals welcome a detailed agreement. This checklist covers every element your renovation contract should contain before any work begins or any money changes hands.
These are the non-negotiable components of any renovation contract in Ottawa. If any are missing, the contract is incomplete.
The contract must include the full legal names and contact information of both parties, a detailed scope of work describing everything to be performed, and the total contract price with a clear breakdown. The scope is the heart of the contract — the more specific it is about rooms, materials, finish...
Spell out the deposit amount (10% to 15% is standard), a payment schedule tied to completed milestones rather than dates, and a final holdback of 10% to 15% until all deficiencies are corrected. This structure ensures you are always paying for work already done and keeps leverage in your hands until...
Include start and estimated completion dates. While renovation timelines can shift, a contract with no dates at all gives you no basis to hold the contractor accountable for reasonable progress.
Beyond the basics, several clauses dramatically reduce your risk and should appear in every renovation contract.
Define how changes to the scope will be handled, including how additional costs are estimated and approved in writing before the work proceeds. Undocumented change orders are a leading source of renovation disputes and budget blowouts. Every change should be a signed, priced addendum.
Specify warranty terms for workmanship — a minimum of one year, ideally two to five — and for materials, which carry manufacturer warranties. Require the contractor to maintain general liability insurance and WSIB coverage throughout the project, and attach proof.
State who is responsible for obtaining and paying for permits, how the site will be protected and cleaned, and what process will be used to resolve disputes — ideally mediation before litigation. Clarity on these points prevents arguments when they matter most.
Treat signing as a deliberate step, not a formality. Read the entire contract, make sure it matches the quote you accepted, and confirm there are no blank spaces or vague terms. Never sign under pressure or on the same visit if you have not had time to review. For large projects, having a lawyer review the contract is money well spent. Once both parties have signed and you have proof of insurance in hand, work — and only then a deposit — can begin.
Yes, always — even for projects under $10,000. A written contract defines the scope, price, timeline, and warranty, protecting both you and the contractor. It is also essential for insurance purposes if anything goes wrong. Never begin work on a handshake alone.
Full legal names and contact details, a detailed scope of work, the total price with a breakdown, a milestone payment schedule with a holdback, start and completion dates, a change order process, warranty terms, insurance and WSIB requirements, permit responsibility, cleanup terms, and a dispute resolution process.
The contract should require that any change to the scope be documented as a signed, priced addendum approved in writing before the work proceeds. Undocumented changes are a leading cause of renovation disputes and unexpected costs.
Insist on a workmanship warranty of at least one year, ideally two to five years, plus the manufacturer warranties that come with materials. The warranty terms should be written into the contract, not just promised verbally.
For large or complex projects, yes — a lawyer's review is inexpensive relative to the project cost and can catch one-sided or missing terms. For smaller projects, carefully reading the contract against the accepted quote and ensuring all essential elements are present is usually sufficient.