Ontario Renovation Contracts: The Legal Minimum in 2026
Renovation fraud is at multi-year highs in Ontario. A proper written contract is your primary protection. Here’s exactly what Ontario law requires and what you should demand beyond the minimum.
What Ontario Law Requires (Consumer Protection Act)
Any home renovation contract over $50 must include:
- Contractor’s full legal name and business address
- Complete description of all work to be performed
- Materials specification (brand, grade, dimensions where applicable)
- Total price including HST — no “plus materials” ambiguity
- Payment schedule
- Start date and substantial completion date
- Contractor’s warranty terms
What You Should Add Beyond the Minimum
- Proof of $2M liability insurance (require the certificate, not just a claim)
- WSIB clearance certificate (confirms workers are covered — protects you from liens)
- Lien waiver at final payment
- Change order process: all changes must be in writing, signed, before work proceeds
- Dispute resolution clause
Payment Schedule Best Practice
| Milestone | % of Contract |
|---|---|
| Signing deposit | Max 10% |
| Demolition/rough-in complete | 25–30% |
| Drywall/major progress | 25–30% |
| Substantial completion | 25–30% |
| 30-day deficiency holdback | 5–10% |
Never pay more than 30% upfront. A demand for 50%+ at signing is a major red flag.
The 10-Day Cooling Off Period
For contracts signed in your home, Ontario gives you 10 days to cancel without penalty. This applies to door-to-door sales situations — know your rights.
LF Builders provides fully compliant written contracts on every project: lfbuilders.ca
Share contract experiences and red flags: home.renovation.reviews
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