Most contractors in Toronto are honest. The ones who are not tend to use the same few tricks, which makes them easy to spot once you know what to look for.
The warning signs
- They knock on your door. Someone who was just in the area and happened to notice your roof is selling, not helping. Ontario bans unsolicited door-to-door sales of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and water treatment equipment.
- Cash only, or a large deposit. A deposit for materials is normal. Paying most of the job up front is not.
- Pressure to decide today. A price that is only good for the next hour is a sales tactic.
- Nothing in writing. No written quote means no record of what you agreed.
- No address, no licence number, no insurance. A real business can show you all three.
Your rights in Ontario
If you sign a contract in your home for more than $50, Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act gives you a 10-day cooling-off period. You can cancel for any reason within 10 days of receiving a written copy of the agreement. Consumer Protection Ontario explains the rules and takes complaints.
A checklist before you pay
- Get the quote in writing, with the scope, the price and the dates.
- Check the licence. The City of Toronto has a business licence lookup, or call 311. Electricians are listed with the Electrical Safety Authority.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage.
- Compare it with at least one other quote.
- Pay in stages that are tied to finished work, and keep the receipts.
- Hold back the final payment until the job is done and you have checked it.
If something has already gone wrong
Keep every message, quote and receipt. Write to the company first and give them a fair chance to put it right. If that fails, file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario. If you paid by credit card, ask your card issuer whether a chargeback applies. For outright fraud, report it to the police non-emergency line and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
A simpler route
Booking through ServiceTo takes most of this checking off your plate. Providers are screened and background-checked before they join, and you agree the price with us before anyone is booked. Send a request or read how it works.