Can I cancel a renovation contract after signing it?

In Ontario, you have limited rights to cancel a renovation contract after signing, but there are specific protections depending on how and where you signed the contract.

Door-to-Door and Off-Site Sales Protection

If a contractor came to your Ottawa home unsolicited or you signed the contract anywhere other than their permanent business location, Ontario's Consumer Protection Act gives you a 10-day cooling-off period. This applies to contracts over $50 signed at your home, at trade shows, or other temporary locations. You must provide written notice of cancellation within 10 days, and the contractor must refund any deposits within 15 days.

Contracts Signed at Business Premises

If you visited the contractor's office or showroom in Ottawa and signed there, you typically don't have an automatic right to cancel. However, you may still have options if the contract contains unfair terms, if the contractor misrepresented their services, or if they haven't obtained required permits or licenses.

What to Check Immediately

Verify your contractor is properly licensed through ESA (for electrical work) at esasafe.com, TSSA (for gas work) at tssa.org, and has valid WSIB coverage. If they're not properly licensed for the work they're contracted to do, this could void the contract or give you grounds for cancellation.

Review whether they've pulled the required City of Ottawa permits. Major renovations typically require permits, and if your contractor hasn't applied (you can check at ottawa.ca/building or call 613-580-2424), they may be in breach of contract.

Cancellation Clauses and Negotiation

Many renovation contracts include their own cancellation clauses with specific terms and penalties. Read these carefully - some allow cancellation with reasonable notice and payment for work completed. Even without a cooling-off period, you can often negotiate with the contractor, especially if work hasn't started or materials haven't been ordered.

Red Flags That May Help Your Case

If the contractor demanded full payment upfront, has no fixed business address in Ottawa, or pressured you to sign immediately, these are red flags that may strengthen your position. Ontario's Construction Act requires specific payment schedules and holdback provisions - contracts that violate these may be unenforceable.

Getting Help

Contact the Ontario Consumer Protection Office at 1-800-889-9768 for guidance on your specific situation. If the contractor is refusing reasonable cancellation requests, consider consulting with a lawyer familiar with construction law.

For future contracts, always verify licenses, check references from recent Ottawa clients, and never sign under pressure. Take time to review all terms, especially payment schedules and cancellation policies, before committing to any renovation project.