Hiring the wrong contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. In the Niagara Region alone, I have seen the aftermath of botched renovations — structural work done without permits, water damage from improper waterproofing, and homeowners left holding the bag when an uninsured contractor disappears mid-project.
The good news is that protecting yourself is straightforward. Ask these five questions before signing anything, and insist on documented answers.
1. Are You Registered with WSIB?
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is Ontario’s workplace injury insurance system. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not carry WSIB coverage, you as the homeowner could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages.
Ask for a current WSIB Clearance Certificate. This document confirms the contractor is registered, up to date on premiums, and in good standing. You can also verify independently at wsib.ca.
At JVR Complete, we maintain full WSIB registration and coverage for all crew members. Clients can request a clearance certificate at any time.
2. What Liability Insurance Do You Carry?
Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects you if the contractor’s work causes property damage or injury to a third party. The industry standard in Ontario is a minimum of $2,000,000 in coverage.
Ask to see a Certificate of Insurance naming the coverage amount, the policy number, and the expiry date. If the contractor hesitates or claims they “do not need it,” walk away.
JVR Complete carries $2,000,000+ in commercial general liability insurance on every project.
3. Will You Provide a Written Contract?
Under the Ontario Consumer Protection Act, any home renovation agreement worth $50 or more must include a written contract. This is not optional — it is the law.
Your contract should include:
- A detailed scope of work describing exactly what will and will not be included
- A total price or a clear method for calculating the final cost
- A payment schedule tied to project milestones (not calendar dates)
- Start date and estimated completion date
- Warranty terms on both labour and materials
- A process for handling change orders
- The 10-day cooling-off period disclosure (your right to cancel within 10 calendar days)
If a contractor wants to work on a handshake, they are either uninformed about Ontario law or deliberately avoiding accountability. Neither is acceptable.
4. Who Handles Building Permits?
In Ontario, building permits are required for any renovation that involves:
- Structural modifications (wall removal, beam installation, foundation work)
- Plumbing changes (moving or adding fixtures, drain line modifications)
- Electrical changes (new circuits, panel upgrades, fixture additions)
- Egress window installation
- Secondary suite construction
- Any work affecting fire separation between units
The contractor should handle the permit application process on your behalf, coordinate all required inspections, and ensure the work passes final inspection before the project is considered complete.
Why this matters for you: unpermitted work can create serious problems when you sell your home. A home inspector or buyer’s lawyer who discovers unpermitted renovations can derail a sale, reduce your property value, or require costly remediation.
JVR Complete manages the entire permit process — from application through final inspection — for every project that requires one.
5. What Warranty Do You Provide?
A reputable contractor stands behind their work. At minimum, you should receive a one-year warranty on all workmanship, consistent with the RenoMark Code of Conduct standard.
Ask specifically:
- What does the warranty cover? (labour, materials, or both)
- How long does the warranty last?
- What is the process for making a warranty claim?
- Are there any exclusions?
Many components of a renovation carry their own manufacturer warranties — cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixtures, tile — but the installation quality is the contractor’s responsibility. If tile cracks because the substrate was improperly prepared, that is a workmanship issue, not a product issue.
Bonus: Check References and Past Work
Beyond these five questions, ask for references from recent projects similar to yours. A kitchen renovation reference is more relevant than a deck-building reference if you are planning a kitchen project.
Ask those references:
- Was the project completed on time and on budget?
- How did the contractor handle unexpected issues?
- Was the site kept clean and organized?
- Would you hire them again?
The Bottom Line
These questions are not confrontational — they are professional. Any contractor who is offended by being asked for proof of insurance, WSIB coverage, and a written contract is not someone you want in your home.
At JVR Complete, we welcome these questions because we have clear, documented answers for every one. Contact us to discuss your renovation project, or explore our renovation services to see how we approach the process from day one.
