What are common renovation scams in the Ottawa area?

Ottawa homeowners face several common renovation scams, with door-to-door contractors and unlicensed workers being the biggest threats in our area.

The most frequent scam in Ottawa involves door-to-door contractors claiming they're "working in your neighborhood" and offering deals on driveways, roofing, or eaves cleaning. These operators often target areas like Kanata, Orleans, and Barrhaven, especially after storms. They demand large upfront payments, do substandard work, then disappear. Always be suspicious of unsolicited offers and never hire someone who just knocked on your door.

Another major issue is contractors operating without proper licensing. In Ontario, electrical work requires an ESA-licensed contractor, and gas work needs TSSA certification. Scammers often claim they can do electrical or gas work cheaper because they "know someone" or will "handle the permits later." This leaves you liable for dangerous work and potential insurance issues. Always verify licensing through esasafe.com for electrical contractors and tssa.org for gas technicians.

The "cash discount" scam is particularly common in Ottawa's suburbs. Contractors offer significant discounts for cash payments, claiming it helps them avoid taxes. This is illegal and leaves you with no paper trail for warranty claims or if problems arise. Legitimate contractors provide proper invoices and accept various payment methods. Under Ontario's Construction Lien Act, you should never pay more than 90% until work is complete, regardless of payment method.

Permit avoidance scams target homeowners unfamiliar with Ottawa's building requirements. Contractors claim permits aren't needed or offer to "handle everything" without actually pulling permits. In Ottawa, most structural work, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC requires permits through the City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424). Working without permits can result in stop-work orders, fines, and problems selling your home. Always verify permits through ottawa.ca/building.

Insurance and WSIB scams involve contractors claiming they're "fully insured" but providing fake or expired certificates. In Ontario, contractors should have liability insurance and WSIB coverage. You can verify WSIB clearance at wsib.ca/clearances. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks proper coverage, you could be liable.

The "storm chasing" scam spikes after severe weather events common in Ottawa. Contractors appear immediately after storms offering quick repairs, often going door-to-door in affected neighborhoods like Stittsville or Manotick. They pressure homeowners to sign contracts immediately, demand large deposits, then either disappear or do poor work. Always get multiple quotes and never sign contracts under pressure.

Bait-and-switch pricing involves contractors providing low initial quotes, then discovering "unexpected problems" that dramatically increase costs once work begins. While legitimate issues can arise, be wary of contractors whose final bills are significantly higher than quoted. Protect yourself with detailed written contracts specifying materials, labor, and change order procedures.

To protect yourself, always verify contractor licensing through appropriate authorities, get multiple written quotes, check references from recent local projects, and never pay large amounts upfront. The City of Ottawa Building Code Services can verify if permits were properly obtained, and you can report suspected scams to the Ontario Consumer Protection office.

For verified contractors in the Ottawa area, check our directory at ottawaconstructionnetwork.com/directory where all contractors have been pre-screened for proper licensing and insurance.