How reliable are Google reviews for contractors?

Google reviews for Ottawa contractors can be helpful but shouldn't be your only vetting tool - they're easy to manipulate and don't verify the most important things like licensing and insurance.

When evaluating contractor reviews in Ottawa, you need to look beyond the star rating. Google reviews can give you insights into communication style, timeliness, and customer satisfaction, but they won't tell you if the contractor has current ESA licensing, WSIB clearance, or proper insurance coverage - the things that actually protect you legally.

Here's what to watch for when reading Google reviews for Ottawa contractors:

Red Flags in Reviews:
Look for patterns of complaints about permits not being pulled, electrical work done without ESA inspections, or projects left unfinished. Be suspicious of contractors with only 5-star reviews posted within short timeframes, or reviews that sound overly similar. Many fake review operations target the construction industry because homeowners rely heavily on them.

What Reviews Can Actually Tell You:
Genuine reviews often mention specific details about the work process, timeline accuracy, and how the contractor handled unexpected issues. Look for mentions of proper permit processes, clean work sites, and professional communication. Reviews spanning several years give you a better picture than a cluster of recent reviews.

The Ottawa-Specific Problem:
Many Ottawa contractors work across multiple municipalities (Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Stittsville), so their Google My Business listings might not capture all their work. A contractor might have great reviews for work in Nepean but problems with City of Ottawa permit processes downtown.

What Reviews Don't Cover:
Google reviews won't tell you if the contractor's ESA license is current (check licensing.esasafe.com), whether they have WSIB clearance (wsib.ca/clearances), or if their insurance covers your specific project type. They also won't reveal if previous work was done to Ontario Building Code standards or if permits were properly obtained through ottawa.ca/building.

Better Verification Steps:
Start with reviews to get a sense of the contractor's reputation, but then verify their ESA licensing, TSSA certification for gas work, WSIB status, and insurance coverage. Ask for references from recent Ottawa projects and contact them directly. Check with City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424) about any permit history if you're concerned.

The Bottom Line for Ottawa Homeowners:
Use Google reviews as one data point among many, not as your primary decision-making tool. A contractor with mediocre reviews but proper licensing and insurance is often safer than one with perfect reviews but questionable credentials. The most important protections come from verifying official certifications and following proper permit processes through the City of Ottawa.

For verified contractors in our Ottawa network, check our directory at https://ottawaconstructionnetwork.com/directory where we've already done the licensing and insurance verification work for you.