Choosing a Contractor
Hire a contractor you can trust.
Trust takes time to build, so if you don’t have a contractor you know, or have anyone who can recommend one, here are a few things to ask potential contractors to help make your decision easier.
Look for a Contractor who:
Has Experience
Research your potential contractors and make sure they have worked on projects like yours before. Ask for letters of recommendation from past clients.
Is Insured
A contractor working in your home will provide you with a WSIB Clearance certificate.
This certificate proves the contractor has Workers Compensation coverage for the work in your home. Workers compensation is a government program that provides workers injured on the job with financial aid.
If the contractor does not have this coverage, the home owner is at serious legal and financial risk. Learn more.
A contractor working in your home will also provide you with proof of public liability and property damage insurance. Also, this is a good time to check your own homeowners insurance coverage even if your contractor is fully insured.
Is Licensed
On large projects, construction trades are required to have a certain number of licensed workers on site to perform the work. This includes plumbers, electricians, gas fitters, etc.
Most people know to also use only licensed plumbers and electricians to do work in their homes. Unfortunately, you do not have to be a licensed carpenter to perform carpentry work. The carpentry trade is overseen by the same Ministry of Trades that oversees all other construction trades; however, the ministry claims that carpentry is too broad a trade to regulate.
In my opinion, it is best to hire Licensed Carpenters because they have shown their commitment to improve the regulation of our trade.
There are some very good carpenters out there that have not taken the opportunity to acquire a licence. I would urge them to take the steps towards getting certified and showing their commitment to the professionalism of our trade.
Always Has A Contract
Make sure you always have a contract in place before work begins. Even if it is as small as a one page work order, it should be signed by all parties.
Contracts should be as detailed as possible to avoid any misunderstandings. Learn more (opens in PDF).
Provides A Warranty
Ensure your contractor will provide a clearly defined warranty on materials and workmanship upon completion of the project.
Respects Your Home
Most importantly, hire a contractor that respects your home.
The contractor should respect the cleanliness of the home and work site, and all workers should behave in a polite and respectful manner.
We treat every project as if it were our home.
We give detailed and transparent estimates, and will work within your budget.