2026 Guide

How to Hire a General Contractor in Ontario

General contractors manage your entire renovation — they hire subcontractors, pull permits, manage timelines, and ensure code compliance. Hiring the wrong GC is the number one reason renovations go over budget and over time. Here is how to hire right.

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Hiring Checklist

Verify liability insurance ($2M+ minimum)
A GC manages multiple trades. Adequate insurance covers any damage caused by any worker on the project.
Confirm WSIB for the GC and all subcontractors
You need WSIB clearance certificates for everyone working on your property.
Check for a physical business address
Registered businesses with a physical location are accountable. PO boxes are a yellow flag.
Get a detailed written contract
Must include scope, materials, timeline, payment schedule, change order process, and warranty.
Ask for 3+ references from similar projects
A kitchen specialist may not be the right GC for a home addition. Match experience to your project.
Verify they pull all required permits
The GC is responsible for all permits. If the municipality finds unpermitted work, you pay the consequences.
Compare Trust Index scores on FinderHub
See insurance status, review consistency across platforms, and sentiment analysis before committing.

Red Flags to Watch For

No written contract

The single biggest predictor of renovation disaster. No contract means no recourse.

Demands 50%+ upfront

Standard payment schedules are milestone-based: 10% deposit, payments at framing, rough-in, and completion.

Cannot provide subcontractor details

You have the right to know who is working in your home. A GC should readily share this.

No change order process defined

Scope changes are inevitable. Without a defined process, costs spiral without accountability.

Multiple active lawsuits or BBB complaints

Check BBB and Ontario court records. A pattern of disputes signals problems.

Unwilling to specify a timeline

Renovation timelines slip, but a refusal to commit to even a rough schedule suggests poor planning.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

\u201cHow do you handle change orders?\u201d

Good answer: Written change orders signed by both parties before any additional work begins, with itemized cost impact.

\u201cWhat is your payment schedule?\u201d

Good answer: Milestone-based: small deposit, progress payments at defined stages, holdback until completion.

\u201cWill you manage all permits and inspections?\u201d

Good answer: Yes. The GC should handle all municipal permits, ESA/TSSA inspections, and final occupancy.

\u201cWho are your subcontractors?\u201d

Good answer: They should name their regular subs and confirm all carry insurance and WSIB.

\u201cWhat happens if the project goes over timeline?\u201d

Good answer: A good contract includes a completion date and penalties or remedies for significant delays.

Licensing: No specific Ontario general contractor licence required

Ontario is one of the few provinces with no mandatory general contractor licence. This means anyone can call themselves a GC, making verification of insurance, WSIB, references, and past work quality absolutely critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do general contractors need a licence in Ontario?

No. Ontario does not require a GC licence, which is why platforms like FinderHub that aggregate and verify credentials are essential.

What should a renovation contract include?

Detailed scope of work, materials and specifications, total price, payment schedule, change order process, timeline, warranty terms, and dispute resolution.

How much should I pay upfront?

No more than 10–15% as a deposit. The rest should be tied to completed milestones.

What is a construction holdback?

Ontario’s Construction Act requires a 10% holdback on each payment for 60 days to protect against subcontractor liens.

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