Because Ontario does not license general contractors, verifying that a contractor is legitimate falls to you — and it is the most important homework you can do before signing a contract or paying a deposit. Verification is not complicated, but it does require following a few concrete steps rather than relying on a friendly conversation or a polished website. The contractors worth hiring expect this scrutiny and make it easy. The ones who resist it are telling you something important. This checklist walks through exactly how to confirm an Ottawa contractor is who they say they are, properly ins...
Start with the basics: is this a real, registered business with a verifiable history?
Search the company's legal name in the Ontario business registry to confirm it is registered and active. Note how long it has operated under its current name. Businesses that frequently rebrand or appear brand new despite claiming years of experience warrant extra caution, as name changes can be use...
A legitimate contractor has a real business address, a company email, and a consistent phone number — not just a cell number and a generic email. Be wary of operators who can only be reached by text and have no fixed address.
This is the step homeowners most often skip and most often regret. Proper coverage protects you from significant financial liability.
Every contractor should carry at least $2 million in general liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and verify it by contacting the insurance company directly — certificates can be falsified. This coverage protects you if the contractor damages your property or if defective work cau...
Request a WSIB clearance certificate and verify it at wsib.ca. WSIB covers workers' compensation if someone is injured on your property during the renovation. Without it, you could be exposed to medical and compensation costs. Do not accept verbal assurances for either insurance or WSIB.
Once the business and its coverage check out, confirm the quality of its work and reliability.
Read reviews on Google, HomeStars, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for a healthy volume of reviews and a rating of 4.5 or higher, then read the negative ones for patterns. A contractor with strong reviews on several platforms is far more reliable than one with a handful on a single site.
Ask for at least three references from recent Ottawa projects and actually call them. Ask about workmanship, communication, adherence to budget and timeline, how problems were handled, and whether they would hire the contractor again. If possible, visit a completed project to inspect finishing quali...
A reputable contractor can show photos, and often video, of recent completed projects similar to yours. The best will invite you to see work in progress or a finished project. A thin or generic portfolio is a reason to keep looking.
Confirm the business is registered in the Ontario business registry, verify $2 million general liability insurance directly with the insurer, check WSIB coverage at wsib.ca, read reviews across Google, HomeStars, and the BBB, and call at least three recent references. A legitimate contractor makes all of this easy.
Treat it as a starting point, not proof. Certificates can be falsified, so call the insurance company listed to confirm the policy is active and covers the dates of your project. The same applies to WSIB — verify the clearance certificate at wsib.ca.
Walk away. Legitimate contractors readily provide proof of insurance, WSIB coverage, and references because they understand these are standard. Refusal or evasiveness is one of the clearest signs that a contractor is not worth the risk.
At least three from recent projects similar to yours. Actually call them and ask specific questions about workmanship, communication, budget, timeline, and how problems were handled. Visiting a completed project in person is even better.
No. A polished website is easy to create and proves nothing about insurance, registration, or work quality. Always verify the business registration, insurance, WSIB, reviews, and references independently of the marketing.