Should I hire different contractors for each trade or one general contractor?

For most Ottawa homeowners, hiring one licensed general contractor is the better choice - they coordinate all trades, handle permits, and take responsibility for the entire project under Ontario's construction laws.

Why General Contractors Usually Win in Ottawa

A licensed general contractor in Ottawa acts as your single point of contact and legal responsibility. Under Ontario's Construction Act, the general contractor holds the construction lien rights and is responsible for paying all subtrades. This means if there's a payment dispute or lien claim, you're dealing with one entity, not multiple contractors pointing fingers at each other.

General contractors also handle the permit coordination through the City of Ottawa's building department (613-580-2424). For complex projects requiring multiple permits - like a kitchen renovation needing building, electrical, and possibly gas permits - your GC manages all the inspections and ensures everything meets Ontario Building Code requirements.

When Multiple Contractors Make Sense

You might consider hiring separate trades directly if you're doing a simple, single-trade project. For example, if you just need electrical work, hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) directly through ESA's contractor locator (esasafe.com) can save the general contractor's markup. Same goes for straightforward plumbing or HVAC work where you can hire TSSA-certified technicians directly.

This approach works best for homeowners who have construction experience and time to coordinate schedules, permits, and inspections themselves. You'll need to pull permits directly through ottawa.ca/building and coordinate all the City of Ottawa inspections.

The Coordination Challenge

Managing multiple contractors means you become the general contractor. You're responsible for scheduling trades so the electrician doesn't show up before the framer is done, ensuring the plumber rough-in happens before drywall, and coordinating all ESA and City of Ottawa inspections. One delayed trade can cascade through your entire timeline.

You also lose the benefit of warranty coordination. If something goes wrong six months later, was it the electrician's work or the drywall contractor who damaged the wiring? With a general contractor, that's their problem to solve.

What to Look For in Ottawa General Contractors

Verify they're properly licensed for your project type, carry WSIB clearance (wsib.ca/clearances), and have comprehensive liability insurance. Check references from recent Ottawa projects and ensure they understand City of Ottawa permit processes. A good GC should explain exactly which permits they'll handle and provide a clear timeline including inspection schedules.

For most Ottawa homeowners, the peace of mind, single-point responsibility, and professional coordination that comes with a licensed general contractor outweighs the potential cost savings of managing multiple trades yourself.