Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using this Website in any way, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service, our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Ottawa Construction Network, a sole proprietorship operated by Justyn Rook ("we," "us," "our," or "the Company").

IMPORTANT: Ottawa Construction Network is a sole proprietorship operated by Justyn Rook. All references to "the Company," "we," "us," or "our" include Justyn Rook as an individual. All liability protections, indemnification provisions, disclaimers, and limitations in these Terms apply equally to and protect Justyn Rook personally, in his individual capacity, and all personal assets. Justyn Rook Contracting and Ottawa Basements are also operated by Justyn Rook as sole proprietorships.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of the Website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, contractors, businesses listed in our directory, and others who access or use the Website.

2. Eligibility and Age Requirements

By using this Website, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Your use of this Website does not violate any applicable law or regulation
• You are not prohibited from using this Website under the laws of Canada or your jurisdiction

If you are using this Website on behalf of a company, organization, or other entity, you represent that you have authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

3. Nature of Services and Content

3.1 Informational Purposes Only

ALL CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Ottawa Construction Network is a resource to help Ottawa homeowners navigate the contractor hiring process. Nothing on this Website constitutes, or is intended to constitute:

• Professional construction, renovation, or contracting advice
• Engineering, architectural, or structural advice
• Legal, financial, tax, or accounting advice
• A substitute for consultation with licensed professionals
• An endorsement or recommendation of any contractor or business
• Verification or certification of any contractor's credentials
• A guarantee or warranty of any kind

3.2 No Professional-Client Relationship

Use of this Website does not create any professional-client, contractor-client, fiduciary, or advisory relationship between you and Ottawa Construction Network. We are an informational resource only.

3.3 Verify All Information Independently

YOU MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY ALL INFORMATION before relying on it for any purpose. Information about contractors, permits, licensing, and regulations:

• May be user-submitted and unverified
• May be outdated, incomplete, or incorrect
• May have changed since publication
• May not apply to your specific situation

Always verify directly with official sources:

• ESA License Lookup: licensing.esasafe.com
• TSSA Certification: tssa.org
• WSIB Clearance: wsib.ca
• City of Ottawa Building Permits: 613-580-2424
• Ontario Consumer Protection: ontario.ca/consumer

4. Construction Brain (AI-Generated Content)

4.1 Understanding AI Limitations

Construction Brain and any other AI-powered features use large language models and artificial intelligence systems. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT:

• AI systems can generate plausible-sounding but completely false information ("hallucinations")
• AI cannot verify facts, check current regulations, or access real-time licensing databases
• AI responses are based on training data that may be outdated
• AI cannot account for recent changes to ESA, TSSA, OBC, or municipal requirements
• AI may confidently state incorrect permit requirements, fees, or timelines
• AI cannot replace consultation with licensed professionals or official sources

4.2 No Guarantee of Accuracy

WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER regarding the accuracy of any AI-generated content. Specifically:

• ESA and TSSA licensing requirements may be incorrectly stated
• Permit requirements, fees, and timelines may be wrong
• Ontario Building Code references may be outdated or misinterpreted
• WSIB and insurance requirements may be inaccurate
• Consumer protection information may be incomplete
• Contractor vetting advice may not cover all risks

4.3 Not Professional Advice

AI-GENERATED CONTENT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR:

• Verification with ESA, TSSA, WSIB directly
• Consultation with City of Ottawa Building Code Services
• Legal advice from a qualified lawyer
• Verification of contractor credentials directly with licensing bodies
• Your own due diligence when hiring contractors

4.4 AI Training and Data Use

By using Construction Brain or submitting any content to this Website:

• Your inputs may be used to improve AI systems and services
• Your questions and interactions may be logged, analyzed, and stored
• We may use aggregated, anonymized data for any purpose
• Third-party AI providers may process your inputs according to their own terms

Do not submit confidential, proprietary, sensitive, or personally identifying information to Construction Brain.

4.5 User-Generated Questions

Questions submitted to Construction Brain may be published publicly. By submitting a question, you:

• Grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, publish, modify, and distribute your submission
• Represent that your question does not infringe any third-party rights
• Accept that we have no obligation to publish, answer, or respond to any question
• Waive any moral rights in your submission

4.6 Assumption of Risk for AI Content

BY USING CONSTRUCTION BRAIN, YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:

• You use AI-generated content entirely at your own risk
• You will verify all information with official sources before relying on it
• We bear no responsibility for any actions you take based on AI content
• You release us from any and all claims arising from AI-generated content
• You will indemnify us for any claims arising from your reliance on AI content

5. Contractor Directory

5.1 No Endorsement or Recommendation

THE INCLUSION OF ANY BUSINESS IN OUR DIRECTORY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, REFERRAL, OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. Ottawa Construction Network is an informational platform only. We expressly disclaim any endorsement of listed businesses. We do not:

• Verify the licensing, insurance, bonding, or credentials of listed businesses
• Verify ESA licenses, TSSA certifications, or WSIB clearance
• Guarantee the quality, reliability, workmanship, or safety of their work
• Warrant that listed businesses are in good standing with any regulatory body
• Assume any responsibility for the actions or omissions of listed businesses
• Guarantee that any listing information is accurate, current, or complete
• Investigate complaints, disputes, or claims involving listed businesses
• Mediate or resolve disputes between users and contractors

5.2 "Verified," "Network Partner," and Similar Badges

Badges, designations, or labels such as "Verified," "Network Partner," "Premium," "ESA Licensed," or any similar terminology indicate ONLY that:

• The business has claimed their listing or provided certain information
• The business may have self-reported certain credentials
• The business may have paid for enhanced listing features

THESE BADGES ARE EXPLICITLY NOT:

• A guarantee, warranty, or assurance of quality, reliability, or competence
• Independent verification or certification of any credentials
• An endorsement or recommendation to hire the business
• A representation that we have investigated or vetted the business
• Confirmation that displayed ESA/TSSA/WSIB information is current or valid

5.3 ESA, TSSA, WSIB, and Credential Display

Some listings may display ESA license numbers, TSSA certifications, WSIB clearance, or other credentials. THIS INFORMATION IS SELF-REPORTED, UNVERIFIED, AND PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY.

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT:

• Any displayed license, certification, or credential numbers are accurate
• Any credentials are current, valid, or in good standing
• The credentials belong to the listed business or individual
• The business has not had their license suspended, revoked, or restricted since listing
• The business carries adequate or current insurance coverage

YOU MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY ALL CREDENTIALS directly with the relevant authorities before hiring any contractor:

• ESA License Lookup: licensing.esasafe.com
• TSSA Certification: tssa.org
• WSIB Clearance: wsib.ca
• Ontario Business Registry for corporation status
• Local municipal business licensing

5.4 User-Submitted Listings

Directory listings are submitted by third parties. We do not control, verify, investigate, or assume any responsibility for any listing. Listed businesses are solely responsible for:

• The accuracy of their listing information
• Their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Maintaining current licensing, insurance, and credentials
• Their interactions with users and potential customers
• The quality of their work and services
• Any disputes, claims, or issues arising from their services

5.5 Your Due Diligence Obligations

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE. Before hiring any contractor, you should:

• Verify their ESA license directly at licensing.esasafe.com
• Verify their TSSA certification directly at tssa.org
• Obtain and verify current WSIB clearance certificates
• Verify their insurance coverage and request current certificates
• Request and contact multiple recent references
• Research reviews and complaints through multiple independent sources
• Obtain at least three written, detailed quotes
• Review and understand all contracts before signing
• Never pay more than 10% deposit (Ontario Consumer Protection Act)
• Understand your rights under the Ontario Consumer Protection Act
• Understand the Construction Lien Act and 10% holdback requirements
• Verify permits are pulled in YOUR name as property owner

5.6 No Responsibility for Contractor Conduct

OTTAWA CONSTRUCTION NETWORK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR:

• Any contractor's workmanship, quality, or professionalism
• Any contractor's failure to complete work or honor commitments
• Any contractor's violation of building codes, ESA, TSSA, or other regulations
• Any property damage, personal injury, or death caused by contractors
• Any financial loss, fraud, or theft involving listed contractors
• Any disputes between you and any listed contractor
• Any contractor's failure to obtain proper permits or inspections
• Any construction liens placed on your property
• Any misrepresentation of credentials by listed contractors

6. Data Scraping, Automated Access, and Prohibited Uses

6.1 Prohibited Activities

YOU MAY NOT, AND AGREE NOT TO:

• Use any robot, spider, scraper, crawler, or other automated means to access this Website
• Scrape, harvest, collect, or compile contractor data from this Website
• Copy, reproduce, or duplicate any content from this Website
• Build competing contractor directories using our data
• Use data mining, data extraction, or data gathering tools
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security features
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of this Website
• Use this Website for any illegal, fraudulent, or unauthorized purpose
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Use this Website to harass, abuse, or defame any person
• Submit false listings or fake reviews
• Use this Website for commercial purposes without written consent

6.2 AI Training Prohibition

Without our express written consent, you may not use any content from this Website to:

• Train artificial intelligence or machine learning models
• Build or improve chatbots, language models, or AI systems
• Create datasets for AI training or development
• Feed into any automated content generation system

6.3 Enforcement

Violation of these prohibitions may result in:

• Immediate termination of your access
• Legal action seeking injunctive relief and damages
• Criminal referral where applicable

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 Comprehensive Disclaimer of Warranties

THIS WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE," AND "WITH ALL FAULTS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

We expressly disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
• Warranties of accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of content
• Warranties that directory listings are accurate or that contractors are qualified
• Warranties that the Website will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Any warranties arising from course of dealing or usage of trade

7.2 Comprehensive Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OTTAWA CONSTRUCTION NETWORK AND ITS OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

• Direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages
• Lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, or lost business opportunities
• Loss of data, goodwill, use, or other intangible losses
• Personal injury, bodily harm, or death
• Property damage of any kind
• Damages arising from your use of or inability to use this Website
• Damages arising from any content, including AI-generated content
• Damages arising from any contractor or business listed in our directory
• Damages arising from reliance on directory listings or credential information
• Any other damages of any kind, however arising

7.3 Maximum Aggregate Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY EXCEED THE GREATER OF:

• The total amount you paid to us (if any) in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or
• One hundred Canadian dollars (CAD $100.00)

7.4 Specific Disclaimers

WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY FOR:

• Any contractor's failure to hold valid ESA, TSSA, or other licenses
• Any contractor's violation of building codes, safety standards, or regulations
• Any construction liens filed against your property
• Any contractor fraud, abandonment, or poor workmanship
• Any inaccuracy in self-reported credentials or listing information
• Any injury, death, or property damage caused by contractors

7.5 Essential Basis of Agreement

These limitations form an essential basis of our agreement. We would not be able to provide this free informational resource without these limitations.

8. Indemnification

YOU AGREE TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD COMPLETELY HARMLESS Ottawa Construction Network and its owners, officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your use of this Website
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your reliance on any content, information, or listings from this Website
• Any content you submit to this Website
• Any dispute between you and any contractor or business
• Any decision or action you take based on Construction Brain or AI-generated content
• Your failure to verify credentials, licenses, or insurance before hiring
• Any construction project or work performed by contractors you found through this Website

This indemnification obligation shall survive termination of these Terms.

9. Release of Claims

YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Ottawa Construction Network from any and all claims, damages, and liabilities arising out of or connected with:

• Your use of this Website
• Any interactions with contractors or businesses listed in our directory
• Any reliance on AI-generated content or directory listings
• Any construction, renovation, or repair work performed by any contractor

10. Third-Party Content and Links

This Website may contain links to third-party websites, including ESA, TSSA, WSIB, City of Ottawa, and contractor websites. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for third-party content, privacy policies, or practices. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement.

11. Intellectual Property

All content on this Website, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of Ottawa Construction Network and is protected by Canadian and international intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without our written permission.

"Ottawa Construction Network," "Construction Brain," and related marks are our trademarks. You may not use these marks without our prior written consent.

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada. You irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario, Canada.

13. Dispute Resolution and Class Action Waiver

Before initiating any legal proceeding, you agree to contact us and attempt to resolve any dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AGREE THAT:

• Any dispute resolution will be conducted only on an individual basis
• You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration

ANY CLAIM MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR after it arose, or be forever barred.

14. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, without notice or liability, for any reason. Upon termination, all provisions that should survive shall survive, including warranty disclaimers, indemnification, and limitations of liability.

15. Severability

If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ottawa Construction Network regarding your use of this Website.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us through our website.