Is it a red flag if a contractor has no online reviews?

In Ottawa's competitive contractor market, having zero online reviews isn't automatically disqualifying, but it definitely requires extra due diligence on your part.

Many legitimate contractors in Ottawa, especially smaller operations or those who rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals, may have minimal online presence. Some experienced contractors in areas like Kanata, Orleans, or Manotick have built their businesses entirely through neighborhood referrals and repeat customers without focusing on digital marketing.

However, the complete absence of any online footprint should prompt you to dig deeper into their credentials and reputation through other channels.

What to verify when there are no online reviews:

Start with their licensing and insurance status through official channels. For electrical contractors, verify their Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) status at licensing.esasafe.com. For gas work, check TSSA certification at tssa.org. Confirm their WSIB clearance certificate is current - this is crucial protection for Ottawa homeowners.

Ask the contractor directly for recent customer references and actually call them. A legitimate contractor should readily provide 3-5 recent customers in Ottawa who will speak about their work quality, timeliness, and professionalism. If they hesitate or make excuses about privacy, that's concerning.

Request to see examples of their recent work, ideally projects similar to yours in Ottawa neighborhoods. Many contractors keep photos of completed projects on their phones or can arrange for you to drive by recent jobs (with homeowner permission).

Verify they have proper business registration with the Ontario government and check if they're registered with the Better Business Bureau, even if they don't have reviews there.

Red flags that make no reviews more concerning:

Be wary if they can't provide any verifiable references, refuse to show you examples of their work, or pressure you to sign immediately without time to verify their credentials. Also concerning: no fixed business address in the Ottawa area, demands for large upfront payments, or reluctance to provide detailed written estimates.

The combination of no online presence AND inability to provide solid references from recent Ottawa customers should send you looking elsewhere.

Protecting yourself:

Even with a contractor who has no online reviews but checks out otherwise, start with a smaller project if possible, ensure all permits are properly pulled through the City of Ottawa (613-580-2424), and follow Ontario's Construction Lien Act requirements including the 10% holdback for 60 days after completion.

Remember, in Ottawa's market, you have plenty of options - don't settle for a contractor you can't fully verify.