That's the short version. Below is the checklist we'd want a family member to use, with the reason behind each step.
Reviews you can click through beat badges
A badge on a website tells you what the contractor says about itself. A review on Google or HomeStars, with a name, a date and a job described in the customer's own words, tells you what a customer says.
When you read reviews, look for:
- Jobs like yours. A great kitchen review tells you little about a porch rebuild.
- How problems were handled. Every contractor has a bad day. Read what happened next.
- Recent dates. A company changes as its crews change.
- Reviews you can open at the source. If a website shows quotes with no link, you can't check them.
The Government of Ontario also suggests checking the Consumer Beware List for complaints or charges against a contractor, and asking the Better Business Bureau, Chambers of Commerce and your city what they know.
Photos of jobs like yours tell you more than a portfolio
A polished gallery shows a contractor's best day. What you need is proof they've done your kind of job, more than once, in homes like yours. Ask:
- Can I see photos of three jobs like mine?
- Where were they?
- Can I talk to one of those homeowners?
Ontario's own advice is to get at least 3 references and check them, even when a friend recommended the contractor.
A detailed written quote and contract are the minimum
Ontario law requires home renovation contracts to be in writing. The province's checklist says the contract should describe the work in detail, including the materials to be used.
A good quote tells you:
- exactly what's being done, room by room or part by part;
- the materials, by type or brand, not just "supply and install";
- what isn't included, so it doesn't turn into an extra later;
- how changes are handled. Ontario's guidance says changes should be written into a signed change to the contract.
If the scope is vague, the price is too.
Workplace insurance protects you, not just them
Ontario's guidance says workers and independent operators in the construction industry must have workplace safety and insurance coverage. Ask any contractor how their crew is covered, and ask about liability insurance for damage to your home.
You can check a business's registration yourself: the WSIB lets anyone search for registered businesses online by business name or phone number.
Agree in writing who pulls the permits
This one is easy to miss. Ontario's guidance says getting building permits is the homeowner's responsibility, and if you want the contractor to get them for you, it should be spelled out in the contract.
So ask early: does this job need a permit, and who is applying for it? A contractor who says "we don't bother with permits" is asking you to carry the risk. For porches, decks and other exterior work, the City of Hamilton's Building Division takes questions at 905-546-2720.
These red flags mean walk away
Ontario's consumer protection guidance names several warning signs. Watch for:
- Cash only. The province says to avoid cash deals, and if you do pay cash, get a detailed, signed receipt.
- Sign today or lose the price. Ontario lists door-to-door offers that must be signed right away to get a special price among common renovation scams.
- No paperwork. Ontario calls missing estimates, contracts, licences or permits a warning sign.
- A quote over the phone for a job no one has seen. Nobody can price your porch or basement without looking at it.
- No address. If you can't find where a company works from, you'll struggle to find them after the job.
The questions to ask before you sign
Print this, or keep it on your phone for the visit:
- Have you done jobs like mine? Can I see photos and talk to one of those homeowners?
- Where can I read your reviews at the source?
- Will I get a detailed written quote and contract?
- What's not included in this price?
- How are changes priced and approved?
- How is your crew covered for workplace injuries, and what liability insurance do you carry?
- Does this job need a permit, and who's applying for it?
- Who will be on site, and who do I call with a question?
- What does the payment schedule look like, and what is each payment tied to?
- What happens if you find something unexpected once the work is opened up?
A contractor worth hiring answers them without hesitating.
How we'd answer it
We'd rather you check us than take our word for it. You can read our reviews on Google (4.8 from 49 reviews) and HomeStars (5.0 from 9 reviews), as of October 15, 2026, each linked to its source. You can see our projects, and find us at our office at 875 Main St W, Unit 200, Hamilton.
