Hiring Guide · Ottawa
How to Choose a Renovation Contractor in Ottawa
Choose an Ottawa renovation contractor by verifying six things before you sign: a licensed BCIN designer for permit drawings, general-liability insurance and WSIB coverage, a written fixed-price contract, checkable local references, who pulls the City permits, and a workmanship warranty in writing. Skip anyone who resists these questions.
Why vetting matters
In Ottawa, the right questions protect you.
Renovation contracting is largely unlicensed at the trade level, which means the burden of vetting falls on you. The good news: a handful of documents separate a professional from a risk. Before you sign anything, confirm the six items in the checklist below — in writing, not verbally — and you will have screened out most of the trouble.
The vetting checklist
Six things to verify before you sign.
| What to verify | Why it matters | How to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| Licence / BCIN designer | Permit drawings must be prepared or sealed by a BCIN-certified designer (or architect/engineer where required) | Ask for the BCIN number and Schedule 1 designer details on the permit application |
| Insurance & WSIB | Protects you if a worker is injured or property is damaged on your job | Request a current general-liability certificate and a WSIB clearance certificate |
| Written fixed-price contract | Defines scope, allowances, payments and change orders so nothing is left to memory | Insist on it in writing before deposit; read the exclusions carefully |
| References | Real completed projects show the contractor can finish, not just start | Ask for recent local references and look at reviews you can verify |
| Permits handled | A pro manages the City of Ottawa permit and inspections, and stands behind the work | Confirm they submit through MyServiceOttawa — not that you pull the permit as owner |
| Warranty | A workmanship warranty is your recourse if something fails after completion | Get the warranty term in writing (Dream Touch provides a one-year workmanship warranty) |
A checklist to run on any Ottawa contractor — including us. If a company resists any row, treat it as a warning.
Warning signs
Red flags to walk away from.
- Cash-only or large up-front deposits with no written contract
- No proof of insurance or WSIB, or excuses about why they can’t show it
- Pressure to skip the permit or to pull it yourself as owner to save time
- A quote far below every other bid — thin scope usually returns as change orders
- Vague scope and no clear allowances, payment schedule or timeline
- No verifiable references or reviews, or reluctance to provide them
- No written warranty on workmanship
Bring these to the meeting
Questions to ask every contractor.
- Are you a BCIN-certified designer, or who prepares and seals my permit drawings?
- Can I see current general-liability insurance and a WSIB clearance certificate?
- Do you provide a written, fixed-price contract with defined allowances and a change-order process?
- Who submits the City of Ottawa permit and coordinates inspections?
- Can you share recent local references and reviews I can verify?
- What workmanship warranty do you provide, in writing, and for how long?
- Will I have a single point of contact, and who is on site day to day?
Keep reading
Make a confident hiring decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ottawa homeowner questions.
What licences should an Ottawa renovation contractor have?
For any project that needs a building permit, the design drawings must be prepared or sealed by a BCIN-certified designer, or an architect or engineer where required. The contractor should also carry general-liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Ask to see current certificates rather than taking a verbal claim.
Should I always get a written contract?
Yes. A written, fixed-price contract with a defined scope, allowances, payment schedule and change-order process protects both sides. Avoid open-ended time-and-materials arrangements with no ceiling and nothing in writing.
How many quotes should I get?
Enough to compare approach and clarity, not just the bottom line. The lowest number often hides thin scope or exclusions that reappear later as change orders. Compare what is actually included, how permits are handled, and the warranty.
Who pulls the building permit?
A professional contractor handles the City of Ottawa permit process for you — drawings, the MyServiceOttawa submission, and inspections. Be cautious if a contractor asks you to pull the permit as owner to sidestep responsibility.
What warranty should I expect?
Get the workmanship warranty in writing. Dream Touch provides a one-year workmanship warranty in addition to any manufacturer warranties on the products installed.
Interviewing Ottawa contractors?
Bring this checklist to every meeting — including ours. We’re happy to show our BCIN, insurance, WSIB, contract and warranty up front. Book a free, no-pressure consultation.