Hiring a Contractor in Ontario: What is the process?

When you consider any renovation project, turning your plans and dreams into reality involves more than what you may expect.

Choosing the right contractor

Finding the right contractor who understands the scope of work that you would like to have done is key. Also, their knowledge of the Ontario Building Code (OBC) is vital as that is the minimum requirement for any renovation or new construction. Furthermore, knowing when permits are required by local municipalities is another key part of selecting the right company.

Don't let a fancy website be the only decision maker! A nice website can easily be deceiving.  As a homeowner, you must "dig down" to see if the contractor has had any testimonials,  vetted credentials of endorsement from organizations such as being Baeumler Approved,  or Holmes certified where the vetting process can take months to prove their quality of workmanship,  ensure proper insurances are in place, have WSIB clearances, etc.

A good contractor should never hesitate to provide client references when asked.

You must be comfortable that the contractor you select for your project is qualified. Sadly, in our business, there have been many fraudulent and unqualified people posing as professionals,  yet they are far from it.

Lastly, if a contractor tells you that they can start quickly, that should be a red flag! Good contractors get booked quickly. Being patient and waiting for the job to commence is a good thing.

Your first meeting with a contractor

A good contractor will come out to physically assess the scope of work that you would like to have done.  They will also take measurements, discuss what is within OBC requirements and/or what needs to be done to meet or exceed OBC requirements for your project.

Depending upon what you would like to accomplish, a good contractor will take the time to create drawings for you. Keep in mind though that it can take hours of valuable time for us to create these drawings or renditions. Don't expect it to be given to you quickly!

Also, you should be advised, ideally at the first meeting, if you are required to get building permits for what you would like accomplished.

As a homeowner, you should also be educated by the contractor if your renovation plans are realistic or not. Will you need structural enforcement in any areas, and what realistic expectations are in terms of timelines. This will also give you confidence and comfort in knowing that they know what they are doing.

Finally, don't be shocked if a contractor wants up to a 50% deposit for the project. We need the funds to secure materials, get permits paid where required and line up the required crew and sub-trades for your project.  This includes plumbers, electricians, engineers etc. as required.

You should also be informed of what kind of materials will be used, what kind of fasteners, fixtures etc. will be used for your project. This can be done either while meeting or included in a given quote.

The Contractor Gets going

The commitment of a firm start date is key!

It may take time for your chosen contractor to get things set up before they start. Always ensure that there is an area where this can take place, ideally a weatherproof area where they can leave bigger equipment overnight.  Understandably, this isn't always available depending on the setting or area. Also, ensure that there is a toilet available for the crews to access.

Contractors usually don’t take on more than one or two projects at the same time to ensure that crews show up for work daily unless weather or emergencies pop up.

There are times when cost overruns may occur. By law, a 10% overage should be anticipated for unforeseen costs. This is normal. Should your contractor see anything major in the first few days of your project, they should stop work and discuss what was discovered and what the additional costs would be.  We have tools and equipment at our disposal to "see" through drywall for example but issues like mould damage, asbestos, or bee infestation cannot be detected until demo day.

We try to ensure that materials and/or a bin be delivered on-site a few days before the work commences. Always advise where these items can be dropped off on your property.

It is our job as contractors to choreograph when each sub-trade is required to be on-site to ensure that your project moves ahead in a fluid motion. It is our obligation that the sub-trades we bring to your project have already been vetted and know that their services meet or exceed our standards, are insured, and have their own WSIB coverage. So, rest assured that these people are qualified to do the work.

The grand finale!

Once your project is complete, we ensure that the work area has been cleaned up and left in a broom swept condition.

We make sure that you as the homeowner have a complete walk-through of what was done, how it was completed.  Most importantly of all, if building permits were requested, your contractor will have to provide you with a list of all inspections completed, and a final compliance report. Occupancy permits, and such are handed over to you for your records.  You should also be provided with warranty documents for any fixtures or products that were installed so that you have them on record in the event of future issues.

A final note about permits!

The permit process may take some time depending upon your project. Many municipalities have gone the route of on-line permit applications. Though this was made to simplify the process and implemented as a result of the pandemic, the review process may take longer before the initial permit is issued compared to that of the old paper or email method.

Firstly, many municipal offices, especially since Covid, have become overwhelmed with building permit applications, and the issuing process can take longer than anticipated.

For big projects such as new construction, additions, or structural work, you will need to enroll the assistance of a qualified designer and architects to create a full set of prints and drawings that must comply with local requirements such as snow load requirements for your area, heating and ventilation requirements, and septic drawings as needed.

If you are planning a new build, then you will also have to get Access permits for a driveway and have to pay development fees to the local municipalities.

For the construction of decks or shoreline docking, for example, your contractor can submit their own drawings for approval.

If you own a property on a lakeshore, you will need to ensure that the shore road allowance is owned by you before permits can be requested.

Once all required drawings have been submitted, your local municipalities generally have up to 10 business days to review all the documents.  Recently, most municipalities have gone to an online permit application system which can become a bit convoluted and can create delays as well.

Once permits are issued, especially ourselves, request a preliminary meeting with your local building inspector on-site to discuss the scope of work, and address with them any specific questions or requirements that they have prior to the commencement of your project to ensure no complications moving forward.

There is a specific inspection process that contractors must adhere to. Once any inspection is required and requested, the building inspector has 48 hours to be on site.

Upon completion of your project, a final inspection must be requested in order to obtain a final sign-off by the municipality.

We hope that this vital information on the process of your project, from start to finish has been helpful for you to decide on the contractor for your project!

All the best in your renovation or construction endeavors. 

Michael

905-767-6524
titanrenos@gmail.com