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 easily manipulated and don't verify the most important qualifications like ESA licensing, WSIB coverage, or proper permits.

Google reviews have significant limitations when hiring contractors in Ottawa. Fake reviews are common in the construction industry, and even legitimate reviews often focus on customer service rather than technical competence or regulatory compliance. A contractor might have glowing reviews but lack proper ESA licensing for electrical work or valid WSIB coverage, leaving you vulnerable.

What Google Reviews Can Tell You

Look for patterns across multiple reviews mentioning specific details about the work process, cleanup, timeline adherence, and communication. Reviews that mention permit applications, inspections passing, or working with City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424) are more credible. Be wary of reviews that are overly generic, posted in clusters, or focus only on price.

Pay attention to how contractors respond to negative reviews. Professional responses that address concerns constructively indicate better business practices than defensive or absent responses.

What's Missing from Google Reviews

Google reviews won't tell you if the contractor is properly licensed through ESA (for electrical work) or TSSA (for gas/HVAC work). They won't verify current WSIB clearance certificates or proper insurance coverage. Most importantly, they won't confirm whether previous work was properly permitted through ottawa.ca/building or passed required inspections.

Better Verification Methods for Ottawa Contractors

Start with official license verification. Check ESA licensing at esasafe.com/contractor-locator for any electrical work. Verify TSSA certification at tssa.org for gas or HVAC projects. Confirm WSIB clearance at wsib.ca/clearances - this is crucial for liability protection.

Request references from recent projects in Ottawa and actually contact them. Ask specific questions about permit applications, inspection results, and whether work was completed to Ontario Building Code standards. Drive by previous job sites if possible to see the quality firsthand.

Red Flags in Online Reviews

Be suspicious of contractors with only 5-star reviews, especially if they're all recent or use similar language. Legitimate contractors typically have some 4-star reviews mixed in. Watch for reviews that don't mention specific work details or seem focused only on personality rather than workmanship.

Contractors who pressure you to hire quickly based on their online reviews are often problematic. Quality contractors in Ottawa are typically booked weeks or months ahead and won't need to rush you into decisions.

Using Reviews as Part of Your Process

Use Google reviews as one data point alongside proper licensing verification, insurance confirmation, and detailed written estimates. The City of Ottawa Building Code Services can also confirm if a contractor has properly pulled permits for previous projects, which is more valuable than online reviews for assessing competence.

For major projects requiring permits, focus more on verifying the contractor's track record with City of Ottawa inspectors and their knowledge of current Ontario Building Code requirements than on customer service reviews online.