A strong workmanship warranty is what separates professional Ottawa contractors from fly-by-night operators. Here's what's industry-standard in 2026, how Tarion fits in, and how to enforce warranty claims when contractors stall.
Renovation contractors: 1 year minimum (Ontario industry norm); 2-3 years from reputable Ottawa firms. New home builds: Tarion mandatory — 1 year all-defects, 2 years water penetration + plumbing/electrical/HVAC, 7 years major structural. Specific trade warranties: roofing 25-50 years (manufacturer) + 2-10 years (installer), windows 10-25 years (manufacturer) + 1-5 years (installer), HVAC 5-10 years (manufacturer) + 1-2 years (installer), flooring varies (manufacturer covers product, installer c...
(1) All workmanship for stated period from substantial completion. (2) All materials supplied by contractor (covered by manufacturer warranty, passed through to homeowner). (3) Latent defects (problems not visible at completion) coverage period. (4) Process for warranty claim: how to notify, response time, repair window. (5) What's excluded: normal wear, homeowner-caused damage, acts of God, modifications by others. Get all of this in writing in the contract; verbal warranty promises evaporate w...
Year 1: caulking failures, paint touch-ups, drywall cracks at seams, door/window adjustment, hardware loose, minor settlement cracks. Year 2-3: tile grout cracking, flooring transitions, mid-grade fixture failures. Year 5+: roofing flashings, exterior caulking, sealant failures. Year 7+: structural issues (Tarion-covered for new builds; not covered for renos).
(1) Document the defect with photos and dated notes. (2) Notify contractor in writing (email is fine; preserve a record). (3) Reference the warranty clause in your contract. (4) Request response within contract-specified timeframe (typically 5 business days). (5) If contractor delays, send formal cure notice with timeline. (6) If still unresolved: small claims court, BBB complaint, or Tarion claim (new builds only). Document everything in writing throughout.
(1) Modifications by other contractors (e.g., your handyman adjusts work the original contractor did). (2) Failure to perform regular maintenance (caulking renewal, eavestrough cleaning, HVAC filter changes). (3) Damage from neglect (water damage from unmaintained roof). (4) Improper use (e.g., commercial-grade activity in residential space). (5) Acts of God (storms, freeze damage from owner-side issues like unheated home). Read warranty exclusions carefully — some contractors write very broad e...
Tarion is mandatory for all new home construction in Ontario and certain major renovations. Coverage: Year 1 — all defects in materials and workmanship + Ontario Building Code violations. Year 2 — water penetration + plumbing/electrical/HVAC defects + violations of OBC affecting health/safety. Year 7 — major structural defects. Verify your contractor's Tarion enrolment at tarion.com BEFORE signing. Tarion provides homeowner-friendly dispute resolution that doesn't require court.
Industry minimum: 1 year on workmanship. Reputable Ottawa firms offer 2-3 years on workmanship. Tarion covers new home construction: 1/2/7 year coverage tiers. Manufacturer warranties on materials are separate (typically 5-50 years, passed through from contractor).
No, not for typical renovations. Tarion covers: new home construction, condo construction, and major renovations that constitute substantial reconstruction (rare). For typical renovations, you rely on contractor's workmanship warranty + manufacturer warranties on materials.
Manufacturer warranty: 25-50 years on the shingles (limited). Installer/workmanship warranty: 2-10 years depending on contractor. Many warranty issues are installer failures (improper flashing, underlay, ventilation), so installer workmanship coverage matters as much as manufacturer coverage.
Document in writing → formal cure notice → small claims court (under $35K), BBB complaint, Tarion claim (new builds only), or formal litigation. Most warranty disputes settle at the cure-notice stage when contractor recognizes documented refusal will hurt their reputation.
Generally no. Homeowner insurance covers sudden/accidental events; not defective workmanship. That's why contractor warranty + WSIB + liability insurance matter so much. If contractor goes out of business, your only recourse is often manufacturer warranties on materials (which is why product brand selection matters).