What happens if my contractor did work without inspection?

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

The consequences depend on what type of work was done without inspection. In Ottawa, electrical work requires ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) inspection, gas work needs TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) approval, and structural work must be inspected by City of Ottawa Building Code Services.

Immediate Steps to Take

Contact the appropriate inspection authority right away. For electrical work, call ESA at 1-877-372-7233 or visit esasafe.com. For gas work, contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772. For building permits and structural work, call City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424.

The inspector will need to assess the work, which may require opening up walls, ceilings, or other finished areas to verify the work meets Ontario Building Code standards. This can be costly and disruptive, but it's essential for safety and legal compliance.

What You're Facing

Your home insurance could potentially deny claims related to uninspected work. When you sell your home, buyers' home inspectors or lawyers may discover the unpermitted work, which can delay or derail the sale. You might need to obtain retroactive permits and inspections, or in worst cases, have work redone to meet code.

The City of Ottawa can issue stop-work orders and require you to bring everything into compliance before proceeding. Fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the violation severity.

Getting Back into Compliance

Start by gathering all documentation about the work performed - contracts, receipts, photos, and any specifications. Contact the original contractor immediately to determine if they can help rectify the situation. A licensed contractor should have known inspection requirements and may bear some responsibility.

For electrical work, you'll need the contractor's ESA license number to potentially get retroactive inspection. Check their license status at licensing.esasafe.com. For gas work, verify their TSSA certification at tssa.org.

Protecting Yourself Going Forward

Always verify that contractors pull proper permits before work begins. For any electrical work in Ottawa, ensure your contractor is a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) who can pull ESA permits. For gas work, confirm they hold proper TSSA G1 or G2 certification.

Before final payment, request copies of all inspection certificates and permits. The City of Ottawa's building permit portal at ottawa.ca/building lets you verify permit status online.

Red Flags You Missed

Contractors who suggest skipping inspections to "save time and money" are major red flags. Legitimate contractors in Ottawa know that ESA electrical inspections cost around $100-200, TSSA gas inspections are similar, and City building inspections are built into permit fees. These costs are minimal compared to the risks of uninspected work.

Contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424 immediately to discuss your specific situation. They can guide you through the compliance process and help you understand exactly what inspections are needed for your particular work.