Do I need a general contractor or can I hire trades directly?

In Ottawa, you can legally hire trades directly for most projects, but whether you should depends on the project complexity, your time availability, and coordination skills.

For smaller, single-trade projects in Ottawa - like a bathroom renovation that's primarily plumbing and tiling, or an electrical panel upgrade - hiring trades directly often makes sense. You'll typically save 15-25% on markup costs and have direct communication with the people doing the work.

However, for larger projects involving multiple trades, a general contractor becomes valuable for several Ottawa-specific reasons. They understand the City of Ottawa permit process (613-580-2424) and can navigate the building department efficiently. They coordinate inspections with the city, ESA (for electrical), and TSSA (for gas work), ensuring everything happens in the right sequence.

The permit coordination aspect is crucial in Ottawa. If you're managing trades directly, you need to understand that electrical work requires ESA permits (even for simple outlet additions), gas work needs TSSA certification, and structural changes require City of Ottawa building permits. Getting inspections scheduled in the wrong order can delay your project significantly.

When hiring trades directly in Ottawa, verify each contractor's credentials:

• Check ESA licensing at esasafe.com for electrical contractors


• Verify TSSA certification at tssa.org for gas technicians


• Confirm WSIB clearance certificates for all trades


• Ensure each trade pulls their own permits where required

The biggest challenge with direct hiring is coordination. If your plumber needs to rough-in before your electrician, but your electrician is booked solid for three weeks, you're managing that scheduling conflict. General contractors have established relationships with trades and can often get faster scheduling.

Consider your project timeline and stress tolerance. Managing multiple trades means you're essentially becoming the general contractor - handling scheduling, quality control, material coordination, and problem-solving. For busy Ottawa homeowners, especially those in demanding neighborhoods like Kanata or Orleans where timing matters for family schedules, this can be overwhelming.

Red flags when hiring trades directly: Be wary of contractors who can't provide proper licensing credentials, won't pull permits, or insist on large upfront payments. Ontario's Construction Lien Act requires you to hold back 10% of payments for 60 days to protect against liens, whether you're working with a GC or direct trades.

For complex projects involving structural work, additions, or secondary dwelling units (popular in Ottawa's mature neighborhoods), a licensed general contractor familiar with Ontario Building Code requirements is usually worth the investment. They carry liability insurance covering the entire project and understand Ottawa's specific zoning requirements.

Bottom line: Direct hiring works well for single-trade projects under $15,000. For larger renovations, especially those requiring multiple permits through the City of Ottawa system, a qualified general contractor often saves you time, stress, and potential costly mistakes.