How-To Guides
Step-by-step guides for renovation planning and contractor hiring
How do I find a reputable contractor in Ottawa?
Finding a reputable contractor in Ottawa requires checking multiple verification points through official Ontario and City of Ottawa channels, plus doi...
How do I resolve a dispute with my contractor?
If you're having a dispute with your contractor in Ottawa, start with direct communication in writing, then escalate through Ontario's consumer protec...
How do I handle a contractor who won't return my calls?
When a contractor stops returning calls in Ottawa, you need to act quickly to protect your project and your money. This is unfortunately common and ca...
How do I recover money from a fraudulent contractor?
If you've been defrauded by a contractor in Ottawa, you have several legal avenues to recover your money, but acting quickly is crucial to maximize yo...
How do I find a reliable contractor for my basement renovation in Ottawa?
Finding a reliable basement contractor in Ottawa requires verifying their licensing, checking references, and ensuring they understand Ottawa's specif...
How do I spot a bad contractor before hiring them?
Red flags when hiring contractors in Ottawa include unlicensed work, door-to-door solicitation, demands for full payment upfront, and inability to pro...
How do I document problems with my contractor's work?
Document everything immediately and systematically - in Ottawa, proper documentation is your strongest protection under Ontario's consumer protection...
How do I protect myself financially when hiring a contractor?
Protecting yourself financially when hiring a contractor in Ottawa requires following Ontario's Construction Lien Act holdback rules, verifying insura...
How should I structure payments to my contractor during a renovation?
In Ottawa, you should never pay more than 10% upfront to a contractor, and structure payments tied to completed work milestones - this protects you un...
How do I avoid contractor scams when renovating my home?
Protecting yourself from contractor scams in Ottawa requires verifying licenses, checking references, and understanding proper payment practices befor...
How do I protect myself from contractor fraud?
Protecting yourself from contractor fraud in Ottawa requires verifying licenses, checking credentials, and following proper payment protocols - here's...
How do I report a contractor to the Better Business Bureau?
To report a contractor to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Ottawa, you can file a complaint online at bbb.org/ottawa or call the BBB serving Ottawa...
How can I tell if contractor reviews are fake?
Fake contractor reviews are a major red flag in Ottawa's competitive construction market - here's how to spot them and protect yourself when vetting c...
How do I find a contractor for a small renovation project?
Finding a reliable contractor for small renovation projects in Ottawa requires verifying their credentials through official Ontario channels and getti...
How do I complain to the Ontario consumer protection office?
If you're having issues with a contractor in Ottawa, you can file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario through their online portal at ontario....
How do I find a contractor registered with Greener Homes?
To find a contractor registered with Canada Greener Homes in Ottawa, you'll need to use Natural Resources Canada's official contractor directory, but...
How do I file a complaint against a contractor in Ottawa?
If you need to file a complaint against a contractor in Ottawa, your options depend on the type of work and issue involved - Ontario has several regul...
How do I get an accurate quote for a basement finishing project?
Getting an accurate basement finishing quote in Ottawa requires detailed specifications and vetting multiple licensed contractors through proper chann...
How do I prepare for a building inspection in Ottawa?
Building inspections in Ottawa require specific preparation steps to ensure your project passes on the first visit and avoids costly delays or re-insp...
How do I get a WSIB clearance letter for my contractor?
As a homeowner in Ottawa, you don't get the WSIB clearance letter - your contractor must provide it to you before starting work. This is a critical pr...
How can I verify a gas technician's TSSA certification?
In Ottawa and across Ontario, you can verify a gas technician's TSSA certification through the official TSSA website at tssa.org using their technicia...
How do I handle a contractor who keeps changing their quote?
A contractor who keeps changing their quote is a major red flag in Ottawa's construction market - this often signals poor project management, scope cr...
How do I get a contractor to sign a written contract?
Getting a written contract should be non-negotiable when hiring any contractor in Ottawa - it's your legal protection and required by Ontario's Consum...
How do I know if a contractor's quote includes all materials?
A comprehensive contractor quote in Ottawa should clearly itemize all materials, but many homeowners get caught with incomplete quotes that lead to co...
How do I get a contractor to honor their warranty?
If your contractor isn't honoring their warranty in Ottawa, start by documenting everything in writing and referencing your original contract - most w...
How do I negotiate a payment schedule with my contractor?
In Ottawa, you should never pay more than 10% down to start a project, and structure payments tied to completed milestones - this protects you under O...
How do I report a contractor scam in Ontario?
If you've been scammed by a contractor in Ontario, you need to report it to multiple agencies to protect yourself and other homeowners - here's exactl...
How do I file a WSIB complaint against a contractor?
If you need to file a WSIB complaint against a contractor in Ottawa, you'll typically contact WSIB's Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-000...
How do I find eco-friendly contractors in Ottawa?
Finding eco-friendly contractors in Ottawa requires verifying both their green credentials and their proper licensing through ESA, TSSA, and City of O...
How do I get previous unpermitted work inspected and approved?
In Ottawa, you can get unpermitted work inspected and approved by applying for a "retroactive permit" through the City of Ottawa Building Code Service...
How do I create a punch list for my contractor?
A punch list is a detailed document listing all incomplete or defective work items that need to be addressed before final payment - and in Ottawa, thi...
How do I document problems with my contractor?
If you're having issues with your contractor in Ottawa, proper documentation is your best protection and essential for any dispute resolution through...
How do I get a lien removed from my property in Ontario?
To remove a construction lien from your Ottawa property, you have several options depending on your situation, but you must act quickly as Ontario's C...
How do I protect myself when hiring a contractor?
Protecting yourself when hiring a contractor in Ottawa requires verifying licenses, checking insurance, and following proper contract procedures befor...
How do I check the zoning on my property in Ottawa?
You can check your property's zoning in Ottawa through the City's online GeoOttawa mapping tool at ottawa.ca, or by calling Planning Services at 613-5...
How do I get a copy of my ESA inspection certificate?
You can get a copy of your ESA inspection certificate by contacting ESA directly at 1-877-372-7233 or through their online portal at esasafe.com - the...
How do I verify a contractor's references?
Verifying contractor references in Ottawa is crucial - you should personally contact at least 3 recent customers and ask specific questions about work...
How do I get a retroactive permit for work already done?
If work was done without a permit in Ottawa, you can apply for a retroactive permit through the City of Ottawa Building Code Services, but the process...
How do I find a contractor who will work with my schedule?
Finding contractors in Ottawa who accommodate flexible scheduling requires being upfront about your needs during the vetting process and understanding...
How do I compare quotes from different contractors?
When comparing contractor quotes in Ottawa, focus on more than just the bottom line price - look for detailed breakdowns, proper licensing verificatio...
How do I find minority-owned or women-owned contractors in Ottawa?
Finding minority-owned and women-owned contractors in Ottawa requires a combination of specialized directories, industry associations, and verificatio...
How do I verify if an electrician is licensed with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) in Ontario?
To verify an electrician's ESA license in Ontario, use the ESA's online contractor lookup tool at esasafe.com/contractor-locator or licensing.esasafe....
How do I evaluate a contractor's previous work quality?
When evaluating a contractor's previous work quality in Ottawa, start by asking for local references from projects completed within the last 2 years,...
How do I negotiate a contractor's quote without being rude?
Negotiating contractor quotes in Ottawa is completely normal and expected - most reputable contractors build some flexibility into their pricing and r...
How do I compare quotes for different qualities of materials?
When comparing quotes in Ottawa, you need to dig deeper than just the bottom-line price - the quality and specifications of materials can dramatically...
How do I check if a contractor has liability insurance?
In Ottawa, you should request a current Certificate of Insurance directly from the contractor showing general liability coverage of at least $2 millio...
How do I find contractors who specialize in heritage homes in Ottawa?
Finding contractors experienced with heritage homes in Ottawa requires extra vetting since these properties have unique regulatory requirements and sp...
How do I prepare for a building inspection?
Building inspections in Ottawa require proper preparation to avoid delays and costly re-inspections. Here's exactly how to prepare for your City of Ot...
How do I make a warranty claim against my contractor?
In Ottawa, warranty claims against contractors depend on whether you have a written contract with warranty terms, what type of work was done, and how...
How do I verify a contractor's business is legitimate?
In Ottawa, you need to verify multiple credentials through Ontario and City systems to ensure your contractor is legitimate and properly licensed for...
How do I know if a contractor is too busy to take on my project?
A contractor who's too busy will show clear warning signs during your initial interactions - delayed responses, vague timelines, and reluctance to com...
How do I file a complaint against a contractor in Ontario?
If you need to file a complaint against a contractor in Ontario, your options depend on the type of contractor and the nature of the issue - here's ex...
How do I know if a contractor is legitimate in Ontario?
In Ontario, you can verify a contractor's legitimacy by checking their licensing with the appropriate regulatory bodies - ESA for electrical work, TSS...
How do I protect myself from a construction lien?
In Ottawa, the best protection against construction liens is following Ontario's Construction Act requirements: hold back 10% of each payment until 60...
How do I report a contractor to their licensing body?
In Ottawa and Ontario, you can report contractors to their specific licensing bodies depending on the type of work - ESA for electrical, TSSA for gas/...
How do I check if permits were closed on my property?
In Ottawa, you can check permit closure status through the City's online portal or by calling Building Code Services at 613-580-2424. This is crucial...
How do I apply for a zoning variance in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, you apply for a zoning variance through the Committee of Adjustment, which requires submitting an application to the City's Planning, Real...
How do I schedule a building inspection in Ottawa?
To schedule a building inspection in Ottawa, call City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or book online through the ottawa.ca building...