Should my contractor provide a project schedule?

Yes, absolutely! A reputable contractor in Ottawa should provide you with a detailed project schedule as part of their professional service, and you should insist on it before signing any contract.

A proper project schedule protects both you and your contractor by setting clear expectations and helping identify potential delays early. In Ottawa's construction market, where weather can impact outdoor work and permit processing times vary by season, having a realistic timeline is crucial for planning your life around the renovation.

Your project schedule should include specific start and completion dates, major milestone phases (like permit approval, material delivery, rough-in inspections, and final walkthrough), and key decision points where your input is needed. For example, if you're doing a kitchen renovation, the schedule should show when you need to select fixtures, when electrical rough-in happens, when City of Ottawa inspections are scheduled, and when you can expect to use your kitchen again.

The schedule should account for Ottawa-specific factors like permit processing times through the City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424). Simple permits typically take 10-15 business days, while complex renovations can take 4-8 weeks for approval. Your contractor should build these timelines into their schedule, not start the clock ticking on your project timeline before permits are actually issued.

Weather considerations are particularly important in Ottawa. Exterior work, roofing, and concrete pours are weather-dependent, and experienced local contractors will build buffer time into schedules for our unpredictable spring weather and early winter conditions. A contractor who promises to start exterior work in March without acknowledging potential weather delays may not have enough local experience.

Watch for red flags like contractors who refuse to provide a written schedule, give only vague timeframes like "should take about 6 weeks," or promise unrealistically fast completion times. Be especially wary of contractors who want to start immediately without proper permits - this often leads to work stoppages when City inspectors show up.

The schedule should also coordinate with required inspections. For electrical work, ESA inspections need to be scheduled at specific points, and for gas work, TSSA inspections are required. Your contractor should know when these inspections happen in the workflow and build them into the timeline.

Make sure the schedule includes contingency time for unexpected issues - especially important in Ottawa's older neighborhoods like the Glebe, Westboro, or Sandy Hill where surprises behind walls are common. A good contractor will typically add 10-20% buffer time to their schedule.

Get the schedule in writing as part of your contract, and ask for regular updates if the project timeline changes. This documentation becomes important if disputes arise or if you need to coordinate time off work, temporary accommodations, or other life arrangements around your renovation.

For more guidance on what to look for in contractor agreements and red flags to avoid, contact the City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or visit ottawa.ca/building for consumer protection resources.