Even careful homeowners can end up with a bad contractor. Warning signs during construction include: work has stopped with no explanation or timeline for resumption, quality of workmanship is visibly poor (uneven surfaces, sloppy finishes, misaligned elements), the contractor is unreachable or non-responsive to calls and messages, the project is significantly behind schedule with no clear plan to catch up, the contractor is requesting additional payments not tied to completed milestones, subcont...
Before taking any action, document the current state of your project thoroughly: Photograph and video everything. Take photos of all completed work, incomplete work, and any deficiencies. Include wide shots showing context and close-ups showing specific problems. Date-stamp all photos. Gather all written communication. Emails, text messages, letters, and notes from conversations. Print or screenshot text messages before they're deleted. Compile all financial records. Copies of signed contract...
Put your concerns in writing and send them to the contractor via email and registered mail: Be specific about the problems. List each deficiency or breach of contract with reference to the relevant contract clause. Set a reasonable deadline. Give the contractor a specific date to respond and/or remediate the issues. 7–14 business days is generally considered reasonable. State the consequences. Clearly communicate what you will do if the issues aren't resolved — withhold further payment, hire ...
If direct communication doesn't resolve the issue, escalate through these channels: Mediation: A neutral third party helps both sides reach an agreement. The Canadian Dispute Resolution Corporation and local mediation services offer construction mediation. Cost: $500–$2,000. Success rate is high for disputes where both parties participate in good faith. Better Business Bureau complaint: Filing a BBB complaint creates a public record and often motivates resolution. The BBB mediates between part...
If you need to hire a new contractor to complete or correct the work, follow these steps: Terminate the existing contract properly. Follow the termination clause in your contract. If there's no termination clause, send written notice of termination citing breach of contract (unfinished work, abandonment, deficient quality). Keep records of all communication. Protect against construction liens. Under Ontario's Construction Act, subcontractors and suppliers who weren't paid by your contractor ca...
The best way to deal with a bad contractor is to never hire one. Key prevention strategies: Always verify insurance and WSIB coverage directly — not just by looking at certificates the contractor provides. Always check references from recent Ottawa projects and actually follow up with them. Always get a detailed written contract before any work or payments begin. Never pay more than 10–15% upfront. Always tie payments to completed milestones, not dates. Trust your instincts. If something f...
You can withhold payment for incomplete or deficient work, but you should not withhold payment for satisfactory completed work. Document all deficiencies in writing and reference specific contract clauses. Consult a lawyer for large amounts.
Document everything, send written notice of termination via registered mail, and consult a construction lawyer about lien protection. Then get quotes from 2–3 new contractors to complete the work. File a complaint with the BBB and Ontario Consumer Protection.
Yes. Under Ontario's Construction Act, unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can file liens against your property, even if you paid the general contractor in full. This is why verifying that the contractor pays their subcontractors is important.
Correcting deficient work typically costs 1.5–3x what it would have cost to do it right initially. Tearing out and redoing tile, drywall, or framing adds demolition costs to the original scope. Getting an independent assessment ($200–$500) quantifies the cost.
For disputes under $5,000, Small Claims Court without a lawyer is usually sufficient. For $5,000–$35,000, consult a lawyer ($200–$400/hour for initial advice) but consider representing yourself. For disputes over $35,000, a construction lawyer is recommended.