There is no single "general contractor licence" in Ontario — and that surprises most people starting out. To operate legally as a renovation contractor in 2026 you instead assemble a stack of registrations: a registered business or incorporation ($60–$360 to register a sole proprietorship or business name, $300+ to incorporate), an HST number once you exceed $30,000 in revenue, WSIB coverage (mandatory for most construction work, with rates commonly running 5–10% of insurable earnings), general liability insurance of at least $2 million (roughly $1,200–$3,500 per year for a small contractor), ...
Ontario does not issue a general contractor licence, and no provincial body certifies renovation contractors as a category. That means anyone can legally call themselves a renovation contractor tomorrow — which is precisely why homeowners are told to verify insurance, WSIB, and references rather than ask for a licence number. What the province does regulate is the work itself. If you touch permanent electrical wiring, you must be an ESA-licensed electrical contractor. If you work on gas applianc...
Some Ontario municipalities require their own trade or business licences. In Ottawa, contractors generally need to confirm business licensing requirements with the City and may need specific licences for activities like drain-laying or sign installation.
Start with the legal entity. A sole proprietorship or registered business name in Ontario costs about $60 online for a five-year registration, while incorporating provincially costs roughly $300 plus optional name-search and legal fees, typically totalling $500–$1,500 with a lawyer or service provider. Incorporation is worth considering once you carry employees, subcontractors, or significant project liability, because it separates personal assets from business risk. Register for an HST number w...
Insurance is the practical gatekeeper of the Ontario contracting industry — most homeowners, general contractors, and every commercial client will demand proof before you set foot on site. Commercial general liability of $2 million is the standard minimum, costing a small contractor roughly $1,200–$3,500 per year depending on trade and revenue; $5 million is increasingly requested on larger jobs. Add tools and equipment coverage, and commercial auto for your work vehicle, since personal auto pol...
Clients and general contractors will ask for a WSIB clearance certificate before releasing payment. Keeping your account in good standing is not optional if you want to work as a subcontractor on larger Ontario projects.
If your work falls into a compulsory trade, certification is the law, not a credential upgrade. The path runs through Skilled Trades Ontario: register as an apprentice with a sponsoring employer, complete the required on-the-job hours (commonly 6,000–9,000 hours depending on the trade) plus in-school training blocks, then pass the Certificate of Qualification exam. Exam and membership fees are modest — generally in the $150 range for the exam plus an annual membership fee — but the multi-year ap...
Building or selling new homes in Ontario is a separate regulatory world. The Home Construction Regulatory Authority licenses all new home builders and vendors, and operating without a licence carries substantial penalties. Licensing requires demonstrating technical competence through required courses, showing financial capacity, passing a conduct and background review, and enrolling every home you build with Tarion, Ontario's new home warranty administrator. Fees vary with the size and type of y...
Once the paperwork is in place, the challenge becomes winning work. In Ottawa's renovation market, credibility is built on things homeowners can verify: your WSIB clearance, your certificate of insurance, a portfolio of completed local projects, and reviews that speak to communication and cleanliness as much as craftsmanship. Learn the City of Ottawa permit process thoroughly — a contractor who handles permits competently is immediately more valuable than one who pushes that burden onto the clie...
There is no general contractor licence in Ontario. General renovation work is not provincially licensed, but you must register a business, carry liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and comply with the Building Code and permits. Specific activities — electrical, gas, plumbing, and new home building — do require licences through the ESA, TSSA, Skilled Trades Ontario, and the HCRA respectively.
Expect roughly $60 to register a business name or $500–$1,500 to incorporate, $1,200–$3,500 per year for $2 million liability insurance, plus WSIB premiums commonly running 5–10% of insurable earnings. Tools, a work vehicle, and commercial auto insurance are additional.
Ontario's compulsory trades include electrician, plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, sheet metal worker, and several others. Practising a compulsory trade requires a valid Certificate of Qualification from Skilled Trades Ontario or registration as an apprentice working under supervision.
In most cases yes. WSIB registration is mandatory for virtually all construction businesses, including independent operators, with limited exemptions for certain sole proprietors working directly for a homeowner in home renovation. Clients and general contractors will typically require a clearance certificate before paying you.
No. HCRA licensing applies to building and selling new homes, not to renovation work. However, substantially rebuilding a home or constructing a new dwelling unit for sale can bring you into scope, so confirm your status with the HCRA before starting that type of project.