What happens if my contractor did work without an inspection?

If your contractor did work without required inspections in Ottawa, you could face serious compliance issues, safety risks, and potential problems selling your home later.

The consequences depend on what type of work was done without inspection, but here's what you need to know about Ottawa's requirements and your options.

What Work Requires Inspections in Ottawa

Most renovation work requires City of Ottawa building permits and inspections, including structural changes, electrical work (which also needs ESA inspection), plumbing, HVAC, and additions. Even seemingly minor work like moving walls, installing new windows, or finishing a basement typically requires permits and inspections.

Electrical work has dual requirements - your contractor needs both a City of Ottawa building permit AND an ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) inspection. Gas work requires TSSA certification and inspection. You can verify if permits were pulled by calling City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 or checking ottawa.ca/building.

Immediate Steps to Take

First, determine what inspections are actually required for your specific work. Contact the City of Ottawa Building Code Services to discuss your situation - they deal with these issues regularly and can guide you through the compliance process. Be honest about what was done; they're more interested in ensuring safety than penalizing homeowners.

For electrical work, check if an ESA inspection was completed by calling ESA at 1-877-372-7233 or visiting esasafe.com. For gas work, verify TSSA compliance through tssa.org. If inspections weren't done, you'll likely need to arrange them retroactively.

Getting Back into Compliance

The City of Ottawa typically allows retroactive permits and inspections, though you may face additional fees. Depending on what work was done, inspectors might require opening up walls or ceilings to verify the work meets Ontario Building Code requirements. This can be costly and disruptive.

If the work doesn't meet code, you'll need to bring it up to standard before passing inspection. This is where having a properly licensed contractor becomes crucial - unlicensed contractors often don't understand current code requirements, leading to expensive corrections.

Protecting Yourself

Check if your contractor is properly licensed and insured. For electrical work, verify their ESA license at licensing.esasafe.com. Ensure they have WSIB coverage and general liability insurance. If they're not properly licensed, you may have limited recourse for any required corrections.

Document everything - photos of the work, communications with the contractor, and any permits or inspection records. If the contractor misled you about permit requirements, this could be grounds for legal action or complaints to Consumer Protection Ontario.

Long-term Implications

Unpermitted work can create serious problems when selling your home. Buyers' home inspectors and lawyers often flag unpermitted work, potentially derailing sales or requiring expensive corrections. Insurance companies may also deny claims related to unpermitted work.

The good news is that Ottawa's Building Code Services works with homeowners to resolve these situations. While there may be additional costs and delays, getting proper inspections protects your investment and ensures your family's safety.

Contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 to discuss your specific situation and develop a plan to get back into compliance.