Going through our first major renovation (kitchen gut, main floor opening, new hardwood) taught us a lot about contractor vetting. Sharing what we learned - some of it the hard way.
The Verification Process We Now Use
After getting burned once (minor, but educational), here is what we do before signing anything:
1. WSIB Clearance
Request the clearance certificate number and verify at wsib.on.ca yourself. One contractor we vetted had an expired certificate - they had been unregistered for 8 months. Walked away.
2. HST Number
Any GC doing more than $30,000/year in work must be HST-registered. Ask for the number and verify at canada.ca/cra-arc. Cash-only no-receipt contractors are a red flag.
3. Insurance Certificate
Call the insurance company directly (number on the certificate) and confirm the policy is active and covers residential renovation. Takes 3 minutes.
4. References - How to Do It Right
Ask for references from projects completed within the last 12 months that are similar to yours. Do not accept references over 2 years old (company may have changed). Actually call them. Ask: “Did the project finish on time and on budget? Were there any issues and how did they handle it? Would you hire them again?”
What We Found on Our Current GC
On our current kitchen contractor: WSIB verified, HST registered, insurance confirmed. Called 3 references - all positive with one noting a 2-week delay on their project due to a material supply issue that was communicated proactively. That kind of transparency is what you want to hear.
The One Red Flag We Encountered
A contractor who wanted to pull permits in our name as “owner-builder” rather than in their company name. This is a significant red flag - it shifts all liability to you if work doesn’t pass inspection. Never agree to this unless you are actually acting as your own GC.