FAQ

No. There is no provincial licence for general contracting or for renovation work. Some things inside a renovation are licensed: electrical and plumbing are compulsory trades with certificates of qualification, professional engineers are licensed by PEO, architects are registered with the OAA, and permit drawings generally need a designer registered with the Ministry holding a BCIN. A contractor who says they are licensed is usually pointing at insurance or a business licence, so ask which one.

Permit requirements depend on the work and building. The City has a process for finishing basements, while structural, plumbing, exterior-opening and secondary-unit changes need review. Confirm your scope with City of Ottawa building services before demolition.

Ordinary renovations generally do not qualify for the GST/HST new housing rebate. Taxable work by an HST registrant in Ontario generally carries 13 per cent HST. CRA generally applies a 90 per cent interior test to substantial renovations; eligibility for major additions depends on the full project. The CRA states that renovating a basement, or adding a garage or a deck, by itself does not qualify.

No. Tarion is the warranty on a newly built home from a builder licensed by the HCRA, with one, two and seven year periods. Its exclusions specifically name defects in materials, design and work supplied by the homeowner, and alterations or additions the homeowner makes. Review the applicable permit and inspections, any written contractor warranty, and the statutory holdback; each addresses a different risk.

It is the statutory holdback under Ontario's Construction Act: ten per cent of the price of services and materials as they are supplied. It protects you if a subcontractor is unpaid and registers a lien. As of 1 January 2026 the annual release of accrued holdback is mandatory and follows a formal notice process, so ask a lawyer about the mechanics on any large project.

Usually yes. Coverage has been compulsory in construction since January 2013 for independent operators, sole proprietors, partners and executive officers. There is an exemption for work on an existing private residence retained directly by the occupant or a family member, but WSIB's own policy says it does not extend to subcontractors hired by the main contractor. Ask whether the direct-hire exemption applies and how subcontractors are covered; a clearance certificate is not required in every home-renovation arrangement.

Check before work begins. Tree-permit and tree-protection requirements depend on the tree, property and proposed work. Confirm your property’s requirements with the City of Ottawa before removal or nearby construction, and ask the City or your arborist which trees and root areas must be protected.

Discuss a contingency with your designer or contractor based on the condition of the home and what cannot be inspected before work begins. Inside the Greenbelt the unknowns are old wiring, galvanised supply lines, plaster and lath, no subfloor, and stone or block foundations. None of those appear on a quote until the wall is open.