A written contract is the single most important document in any renovation project. It defines the scope, cost, timeline, quality standards, and legal protections that govern the relationship between you and your contractor. Without a comprehensive contract, you have no recourse when problems arise. Ottawa homeowners who skip the contract or accept a minimal one-page agreement are taking an enormous risk. Even with a trusted contractor recommended by friends, a detailed contract protects both p...
Party information: Full legal names of homeowner(s) and contractor, business name and registration number, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Verify the business name matches the Ontario business registry. Scope of work: Detailed description of all work to be performed, room by room or area by area. Include what's being demolished, constructed, installed, and finished. The more specific, the better — 'install kitchen cabinets' vs 'install 22 linear feet of shaker-style maple cabinet...
Insurance requirements: Contractor must maintain general liability insurance ($2M minimum) and WSIB coverage throughout the project. Include a provision requiring the contractor to provide updated certificates if coverage is renewed during the project. Permit responsibilities: Who obtains and pays for all required permits (building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Who is responsible for scheduling and attending inspections. Change order process: Written change orders signed by both parties before...
Site access and working hours: Hours when work will occur (Ottawa standard: 7 AM–6 PM weekdays). Weekend work policies. How the contractor will access the property (keys, lockbox, homeowner presence). Property protection: How existing finishes, furniture, and landscaping will be protected during construction. Dust control measures. Protection of completed work during ongoing construction. Cleanup and waste removal: Daily cleanup expectations. Waste disposal responsibilities and costs. Final cl...
Review the entire contract carefully. Don't rush — take 2–3 days to review before signing. Have a second person (spouse, family member, or lawyer) review it as well. Verify all details match your discussions. The contract should reflect everything you agreed upon verbally. If something was discussed but isn't in the contract, it doesn't exist. Check for blank spaces. Every field should be completed. Blank spaces can be filled in later without your knowledge. Ensure both parties sign every pag...
Yes. Even for projects under $10,000, a written contract protects both parties. For small projects, a simpler 1–2 page agreement covering scope, cost, timeline, and warranty is sufficient. Never rely on a verbal agreement.
Templates are a good starting point but should be customized for your specific project. The Canadian Construction Association and offer templates. Always add project-specific details for scope, materials, and timeline.
Negotiate. Most terms are standard industry practice that professional contractors accept. If a contractor refuses reasonable protections (insurance verification, warranty, change order process), consider it a red flag.
For projects over $50,000, yes. A construction lawyer ($300–$800 for a review) can identify risks and suggest improvements. For smaller projects, use this checklist to verify essential elements yourself.
If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. Before signing, verify that every verbal agreement is documented in the contract. Add items as addendums if they were discussed after the initial contract was drafted.