Homeowner Advice | Windsor-Essex Real Estate
Your home is likely one of your largest investments, and whether you’re renovating a kitchen, finishing a basement, replacing a roof or planning a major addition, choosing the right contractor is an important decision.
Most homeowners begin their renovation journey with excitement. They’re picturing the finished space, researching design ideas and getting quotes. But before any work begins, there’s another important step that deserves just as much attention: making sure the person you’re hiring is qualified, properly insured and trustworthy.
A recent case in Amherstburg has brought this issue particularly close to home.
Fortunately, there are practical steps homeowners can take to reduce their risk before signing a contract or handing over a deposit.
1. Are You a Registered Business, and What Is Your Legal Business Name?
A professional-looking website, social media page or branded truck can make a business appear established, but those things alone don’t confirm that a company is legally registered or operating in good standing.
Ask for the contractor’s full legal business name, business address and registration information.
You can use the Ontario Business Registry to investigate a business and obtain available registration records.
If the contractor operates under a different trade name, ask how that name connects to the legal business.
Keep in mind that business registration alone doesn’t establish a contractor’s qualifications or financial reliability. It’s simply one important piece of the puzzle.
2. Do You Carry Liability Insurance and WSIB Coverage?
Accidents happen, even with experienced professionals.
What happens if a contractor accidentally damages your home, causes a water leak or someone gets injured during construction?
Before work begins, ask for proof of commercial general liability insurance, including the policy limits and coverage dates. For substantial projects, consider contacting the insurer or broker to verify that the coverage is active and appropriate for the work being performed.
You should also ask about Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage where applicable.
A reputable contractor should be comfortable discussing these protections. You can learn more through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
It’s also worth contacting your own home insurance provider before beginning major renovations. Certain projects may affect your coverage or require additional protection while construction is underway.
3. Can You Provide References From Recent, Similar Projects?
Online reviews can be helpful, but they shouldn’t be your only source of information.
Ask for at least three references, ideally from homeowners who had work completed that is similar in size and complexity to your project.
When speaking with previous clients, consider asking:
-
Was the project completed on time and within the agreed budget?
-
Were there unexpected costs, and how were they handled?
-
Did the contractor communicate regularly and respond to concerns?
-
Was the work completed to your satisfaction?
-
Would you hire this contractor again?
It’s also helpful to speak with someone whose renovation was completed a year or two ago. Some workmanship issues don’t become apparent immediately.
4. Who Is Responsible for Obtaining Building Permits?
Not every renovation requires a building permit, but many significant projects do.
Depending on the work, permits may be required for structural changes, additions, certain plumbing alterations, basement conversions and other improvements.
Before signing a contract, contact your local municipal building department to confirm which permits and inspections are necessary.
Don’t simply assume your contractor has taken care of everything.
Ask who will apply for the permits, who will pay the fees and how required inspections will be scheduled. Make sure these responsibilities are clearly outlined in your agreement.
Why does this matter when selling your home?
Unpermitted work can create complications down the road. Buyers may question whether renovations were completed properly, and outstanding building compliance issues can affect a future sale.
As REALTORS® serving Windsor and Essex County, we’ve seen how important proper documentation can be when buyers are evaluating a property.
A beautiful renovation is one thing. Being able to demonstrate that the work was completed with the necessary approvals is another.
5. Will You Provide a Detailed Written Contract?
A handshake and a verbal understanding aren’t enough when thousands of dollars are involved.
Ontario’s consumer protection guidance requires written contracts for home renovations valued at more than $50.
Your agreement should clearly outline the scope of work, materials, total price, payment terms, anticipated start and completion dates, warranties and responsibilities for subcontractors.
It should also explain how unexpected changes will be handled.
For example, what happens if a contractor opens a wall and discovers outdated wiring or water damage?
Unexpected issues are a reality in renovations, particularly in older homes throughout Windsor-Essex. What matters is having a clear process for discussing and approving additional costs before the work proceeds.
According to the Ontario government’s renovation guidance, where an estimate forms part of the contract, the final price generally cannot exceed that estimate by more than 10% unless the homeowner agrees to additional work or a revised price.
6. How Much Is the Deposit, and When Are Additional Payments Due?
This may be one of the most important questions you ask.
Some contractors require deposits to secure scheduling or purchase materials. That isn’t necessarily unusual, but homeowners should be cautious about paying large sums before meaningful work has been completed.
The Ontario government recommends keeping deposits to no more than 10% of the total project cost.
For larger renovations, consider a payment schedule tied to clearly defined, verifiable construction milestones rather than arbitrary dates.
For example, payments might become due after particular phases of work are completed and inspected, with an appropriate final amount payable once the project is satisfactorily finished.
Ask for receipts and maintain records of every payment.
For substantial renovations, independent legal advice can also help homeowners understand Ontario’s construction lien and holdback requirements.
A contractor requesting a significant upfront payment without a detailed written agreement or a clear explanation of how the money will be used should be a reason to ask more questions.
7. Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work?
The person providing your quote isn’t necessarily the person who will be working in your home every day.
Some contractors complete projects with their own employees, while others rely on subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, framing and other specialized work.
Neither approach is automatically better, but you should understand who is responsible for each part of the project.
Ask whether subcontractors are properly qualified for the work they’re performing and who will supervise the project.
Certain regulated trades require specific qualifications. Electrical work, for example, may require a Licensed Electrical Contractor and applicable Electrical Safety Authority notifications.
You can verify electrical contractors through the Electrical Safety Authority.
8. What Happens if the Project Is Delayed or Something Goes Wrong?
Even well-planned renovations can encounter delays.
Materials can be backordered, weather can interfere with exterior work, and hidden problems may be discovered once construction begins.
The question isn’t whether something unexpected could happen. It’s how the contractor plans to handle it.
Ask how often you’ll receive updates, who your primary contact will be and what happens if deadlines are missed.
Your written contract should also address disagreements, changes to the work and what happens if either party needs to terminate the agreement.
Clear expectations at the beginning can prevent significant frustration later.
9. What Warranties Do You Provide?
A renovation should look good when it’s finished, but it should also hold up over time.
Ask what warranties apply to workmanship and materials, how long they last and what you need to do if a problem arises.
Get these details in writing.
It’s also worth asking whether product warranties come directly from manufacturers or through the contractor.
Remember, a warranty is only as useful as the company standing behind it, which is another reason to investigate a contractor’s reputation and business history.
10. Can I Take Time to Review Everything Before Signing?
A trustworthy contractor should understand that homeowners need time to make informed decisions.
Be cautious if someone pressures you to sign immediately, offers a dramatic discount that expires within hours or insists that a substantial deposit must be paid before you can review the agreement.
There’s nothing wrong with asking questions, comparing estimates or having a lawyer review a major construction contract.
In fact, the larger the investment, the more important that extra diligence becomes.
Ontario also provides certain cancellation rights for qualifying home renovation contracts signed in the homeowner’s residence. Understanding those rights before signing can provide another layer of protection.
A Few Red Flags Worth Paying Attention To
While no screening process can eliminate every risk, certain behaviours should prompt homeowners to slow down and investigate further.
Be cautious of contractors who refuse to provide proof of insurance, cannot explain their business registration, discourage permits, request unusually large upfront payments or are unwilling to put agreements in writing.
A quote that is dramatically lower than every other estimate also deserves a closer look.
And remember, the lowest price isn’t always the best value.
A contractor who provides detailed estimates, communicates clearly, carries appropriate insurance and follows the proper permitting process may cost more initially, but those safeguards can help prevent far more expensive problems later.
Renovating Before Selling? Make Sure the Investment Makes Sense
There’s another consideration homeowners sometimes overlook: not every renovation will provide a worthwhile return when it’s time to sell.
If you’re considering improvements specifically to prepare your Windsor-Essex home for the market, it’s worth having a conversation with an experienced REALTOR® before committing to a major project.
Sometimes relatively simple updates, such as fresh paint, minor repairs, improved lighting or landscaping, can make a meaningful difference in how buyers perceive a home.
Other times, larger improvements may be justified depending on the property, neighbourhood and current market conditions.
Understanding what buyers are looking for can help you prioritize improvements and avoid spending money on renovations that may not significantly increase your home’s resale value.
Protecting Your Home Starts With Asking the Right Questions
There are many talented, hardworking contractors throughout Windsor, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Essex, Kingsville and Leamington who take tremendous pride in their work.
The goal of asking these questions isn’t to create distrust. It’s to help homeowners make confident decisions and establish a positive working relationship from the beginning.
Whether you’re spending $5,000 on a bathroom refresh or $150,000 on a major renovation, your investment deserves proper planning and protection.
Take your time, compare quotes, verify credentials and make sure everything is documented.
For major renovations, consider having an independent construction professional review the proposed scope and payment milestones, along with a lawyer who can explain your contractual obligations and protections.
A little extra diligence before construction begins can save considerable stress, time and money down the road.
At The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team Ltd., Brokerage, we believe helping homeowners make informed decisions is an important part of what we do, whether you’re buying, selling or simply taking care of the home you already love.
If you’re considering renovations and wondering which improvements could make the biggest difference to your property’s value, our team is always happy to help you evaluate your options.
Visit www.DanGemus.com to connect with our team 7 days/week, or give us a call: 519-566-5565. The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team serves and supports all of Windsor and Essex County with their home buying and selling needs.
Resources:
This blog is for information purposes only and is not in any way intended to replace legal, accounting, financial or environmental advice, nor is it intended to solicit those currently under contract with another real estate agent or brokerage.
