Last updated: August 2026
The single biggest factor in how a renovation turns out isn’t the tile you pick or the budget you set — it’s who you hire. The right contractor keeps the project on schedule, catches problems before they become change orders, and hands back a space that’s built properly behind the drywall as well as in front of it. The wrong one costs you months and a second renovation.
Here’s how to separate the two before you sign anything.
Start by Defining Your Scope and Budget
Before you search “renovation contractors near me,” write down three things: what you actually want changed, what you’d be willing to drop, and the number you can’t go past. Contractors quote against a scope — a vague scope produces a vague quote, and vague quotes are where budget overruns are born.
Set aside a contingency of 10–20% of your budget on top of the quoted price. Older GTA homes in particular hide knob-and-tube wiring, undersized panels, failed waterproofing and asbestos-containing materials that nobody can see until demolition day. A contingency turns those discoveries into an inconvenience rather than a crisis.
What to Look For in a Contractor
Licensing and registration
Confirm the business is properly registered and that the trades doing licensed work — electrical and plumbing in particular — hold the appropriate certifications. Electrical work in Ontario has to be done by a licensed electrical contractor and permitted with the Electrical Safety Authority. If your project is a new home or a substantial addition, check whether it falls under Ontario’s new home warranty and builder-registration requirements.
Insurance and WSIB
Ask for two documents, not a verbal assurance: a certificate of general liability insurance (naming coverage limits and current dates) and a WSIB clearance certificate. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, that exposure can land on you.
A portfolio of work like yours
A contractor who does beautiful kitchens may have never done a basement underpin. Ask specifically for recent projects of the same type, scale and vintage of home as yours — ideally in your municipality, because building departments differ.
References you actually call
Ask for three past clients, including at least one from a project completed 2–3 years ago. Recent clients tell you about the experience; older clients tell you whether the work held up and whether the contractor came back to fix anything.
Reviews read properly
Ignore the star average. Read the negative reviews and, more importantly, read the responses. A contractor who answers a complaint calmly and specifically is telling you how they’ll handle a problem on your project.
Questions to Ask During Estimates
Get at least three written quotes for the same scope. When you meet each contractor, ask:
- Who will be on site day to day, and who is my single point of contact?
- Which parts of the work are done by your own crew and which are subcontracted?
- Are you pulling the permits, or am I?
- How many other projects will be running at the same time as mine?
- What’s the realistic start date and the realistic finish date — and what typically delays a project like this?
- What’s included in this price, and what’s specifically excluded?
- How are change orders priced and approved?
- What warranty do you offer on workmanship, and how do I make a claim?
- How do you protect the rest of the house — dust barriers, floor protection, daily cleanup?
Permits are worth asking about twice. Unpermitted work can stall a future home sale and void insurance claims. Our guide to whether you need a permit for home renovations in Ontario covers what triggers one.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
The cheapest quote is rarely comparing like for like. Before you rank them, line the quotes up against each other and check:
- Is the scope identical? One quote may exclude demolition, disposal, painting or fixtures that another includes.
- Are allowances realistic? A low “allowance” for tile, cabinetry or countertops makes a quote look cheaper and guarantees an overage later. Ask what each allowance actually buys.
- Is it itemised? A one-line lump sum tells you nothing and makes disputes unwinnable.
- Are permit fees and disposal in or out?
- Is HST included or added? On a large project that’s a meaningful difference.
If one quote is dramatically below the others, assume something is missing rather than assuming you found a bargain.
Red Flags That Signal Trouble
- A large deposit up front. A reasonable deposit secures materials and scheduling; a demand for half the project cost before work begins is a warning.
- Cash-only or “no HST” offers. No paper trail means no warranty, no recourse and potential liability for you.
- No written contract, or a contract that’s a single page with no scope attached.
- Pressure to decide today or a discount that expires at the end of the meeting.
- Won’t provide insurance or WSIB documentation.
- Suggests skipping permits to save time or money.
- Poor communication during the quoting stage. If they’re slow to reply while trying to win the job, it doesn’t improve once they have it.
- No fixed address or business presence you can verify.
Understanding Contracts and Payment Schedules
Everything you agreed to verbally belongs in the written contract. At minimum it should contain:
- A detailed scope of work, including materials, brands, models and finishes
- The total price, what’s an allowance, and how HST is treated
- Start date, substantial completion date, and what happens if dates slip
- A payment schedule tied to completed milestones — not to the calendar
- A written change-order process requiring your sign-off before extra work proceeds
- Who pulls permits and arranges inspections
- Workmanship warranty terms and duration
- Cleanup, disposal and site protection responsibilities
- How the contract can be terminated by either side
Two things to understand before you sign. First, Ontario’s construction legislation includes a holdback — a percentage of each payment is retained for a set period to protect you against liens from unpaid subcontractors. Ask your contractor how they handle it. Second, never make the final payment until every deficiency on your walkthrough list is fixed and the final inspections have passed. That last payment is your only real leverage.
FAQ
How many quotes should I get?
Three is the sweet spot. Fewer and you have no benchmark; more and the process drags long enough that good contractors book up.
How far ahead should I book a contractor?
For a significant renovation in the GTA, expect to plan months ahead. The contractors worth hiring have a pipeline. If someone reputable can start next week, ask why.
Should I hire a designer as well as a contractor?
For a layout-changing project, usually yes — decisions locked in on paper are far cheaper than decisions changed mid-build. Some contractors offer design-build, which puts both under one contract and one point of accountability.
What’s a normal deposit?
A modest percentage to secure the slot and order materials. Payments after that should follow completed stages of work.
Can I live in the house during the renovation?
For a bathroom or a single room, usually. For a kitchen or a whole-home project, it depends on dust control, water shutoffs and how long you can live without a kitchen. Ask the contractor for an honest answer at the quoting stage.
What if the work isn’t done properly?
Raise it in writing immediately and reference the contract’s warranty clause. Keep photographs and a dated log of every conversation. Withholding final payment until deficiencies are corrected is your strongest and simplest remedy.
Planning a Renovation in the GTA?
Domilya Group has been renovating homes across Burlington, Oakville and the wider GTA for years, and we’re happy to walk you through scope, budget and timeline before you commit to anything. If you’re still shaping the plan, browse our guides to 2026 bathroom renovation trends and basement renovation ideas for GTA homes.
