Should I hire the cheapest contractor or pay more for quality work?

In Ottawa's competitive construction market, the cheapest bid is rarely the best value and often signals potential problems with licensing, insurance, or work quality.

When evaluating contractor quotes in Ottawa, focus on value rather than just price. The lowest bidder often cuts corners in ways that will cost you significantly more later - using unlicensed subcontractors, skipping permit requirements, or providing inadequate insurance coverage.

What Low Bids Often Hide in Ottawa

Contractors who submit dramatically lower quotes may be cutting costs by avoiding proper ESA electrical permits (required for all electrical work in Ontario), skipping City of Ottawa building permits, or lacking proper WSIB coverage. They might also be planning to use unqualified workers or substandard materials that won't meet Ontario Building Code requirements.

Some red flags with suspiciously low bids include contractors who demand full payment upfront, can't provide ESA or TSSA license numbers when required, or suggest you can "skip the permit process" to save money. Under Ontario's Construction Lien Act, you're required to hold back 10% of payments for 60 days specifically to protect against these issues.

How to Evaluate Ottawa Contractor Quotes Properly

Get at least three detailed quotes and verify each contractor's credentials through the appropriate channels. For electrical work, check their ESA license at esasafe.com/contractor-locator. For gas work, verify TSSA certification at tssa.org. Confirm WSIB clearance at wsib.ca/clearances and ensure they carry adequate liability insurance.

Compare quotes line by line, not just the bottom number. Quality contractors will include permit costs (which you can verify against City of Ottawa's fee schedule at ottawa.ca/building), proper material specifications, and realistic timelines. They'll also clearly outline what's included versus excluded from their price.

The True Cost of Cheap Work in Ottawa

Hiring an unlicensed contractor can void your home insurance and create liability issues. If electrical work isn't properly permitted through ESA, you'll face costly corrections when you sell your home or file an insurance claim. The City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424) can issue stop-work orders and fines for unpermitted work, forcing you to tear out completed work and start over with proper permits.

Quality contractors typically charge 10-20% more than the lowest bidder but include proper permits, insurance, and warranty protection. This premium protects you from the $10,000-50,000+ costs of fixing botched work, dealing with code violations, or addressing insurance claims denied due to unlicensed work.

Look for contractors who provide detailed contracts, maintain proper licensing, and can provide references from recent Ottawa-area projects. The investment in quality upfront saves significant money and stress compared to dealing with the aftermath of choosing based solely on price.