What is the Tarion warranty, and does it cover renovations?

Tarion warranty is Ontario's new home warranty program, but it does NOT cover renovations - only newly built homes and condos purchased from registered builders.

What Tarion Covers in Ottawa

Tarion Warranty Corporation provides mandatory warranty protection for new homes in Ontario, including Ottawa. When you buy a new home from a registered builder, you automatically get:

• 1-year warranty on materials and workmanship defects
• 2-year warranty on electrical, plumbing, and heating systems
• 7-year warranty on major structural defects
• Deposit protection up to $20,000 if builder goes bankrupt before completion

Tarion Does NOT Cover Renovations

This is a crucial point for Ottawa homeowners: Tarion warranty only applies to newly constructed homes sold by registered builders. It does not cover:

• Renovations to existing homes
• Additions or extensions
• Contractor work on existing properties
• Custom homes built on your own lot (with some exceptions)

Protection for Ottawa Renovation Projects

Since Tarion doesn't cover renovations, Ottawa homeowners need different protection strategies when hiring contractors:

Verify Contractor Licensing: Check ESA licensing for electrical work at esasafe.com/contractor-locator, and TSSA certification for gas work at tssa.org. These are mandatory in Ontario.

Confirm WSIB Coverage: Get a WSIB clearance certificate from wsib.ca/clearances. This protects you from liability if workers are injured on your property.

Review Insurance: Ensure your contractor carries liability insurance of at least $2 million. Ask to see the certificate and verify it's current.

Understand Lien Rights: Under Ontario's Construction Act, you must hold back 10% of payments for 60 days after substantial completion to protect against construction liens.

Get Proper Permits: For renovations requiring City of Ottawa permits (call 613-580-2424), ensure your contractor pulls them properly. Unpermitted work can cause insurance and resale issues.

Consumer Protection for Ottawa Renovations

While Tarion doesn't apply, you have other protections:

Ontario Consumer Protection Act covers contracts over $50. You have cooling-off periods for door-to-door sales and specific contract requirements.

Construction Act Holdbacks give you legal protection - always hold back 10% of each payment until 60 days after project completion.

City of Ottawa Building Code Services (613-580-2424) can help with permit compliance issues and code violations.

For renovation projects in Ottawa, your best protection comes from thoroughly vetting contractors, understanding your contracts, following proper payment schedules, and ensuring all permits and licenses are in place. The City of Ottawa's Building Code Services can provide guidance on permit requirements specific to your project.