Canada
Tradespeople and home repair in Canada
Builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers and more. What to check in Canada, our guides for this section, and a quick way to get quotes.
What matters in Canada
Key points from our guides. Each card links to the full section.
Provincial licensing
Canadian provinces and territories regulate trades and contractors, and the systems vary a great deal. Some regulate general contractors and renovators closely; others mainly regulate specific trades, such as electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, through trade certification.
From: Hiring tradies and contractors in Australia and CanadaBuilding permits
Building permits in Canada are issued by your municipality. Most structural changes, additions, new plumbing and many basement finishing projects need one, followed by inspections. Agree in writing who applies for the permit.
From: Hiring tradies and contractors in Australia and CanadaNew homes in Ontario: Tarion
If you are buying a newly built home in Ontario, it comes with a warranty backed by Tarion , the organisation that administers Ontario's new home warranty programme. Builders of new homes in Ontario must be licensed, and you can look up a builder's record in Ontario's public builder directory before you buy.
From: Hiring tradies and contractors in Australia and CanadaInsurance and workers' compensation
Ask Canadian contractors for proof of liability insurance and for evidence that they are registered with the provincial workers' compensation board where required, such as WSIB in Ontario or WorkSafeBC in British Columbia. This matters if a worker is injured on your property.
From: Hiring tradies and contractors in Australia and CanadaCanadian terms
Canadians usually say contractor for a builder or renovator and use quote and estimate loosely, so ask whether a price is fixed. Homes are commonly heated by a furnace rather than a boiler, and you will hear reno here too.
From: Hiring tradies and contractors in Australia and CanadaChecks in Canada and Australia
In both countries, licensing is set by the province, territory or state, and the rules differ a lot from one place to the next. Do not rely on what applies elsewhere. Go to the regulator for the area where the work is being done.
From: How to vet a builder or general contractor before you hireLicences and registrations by country: Canada and Australia
Plumbing is a licensed or regulated trade across Canadian provinces and Australian states and territories, but the rules and the regulator differ by location. In Canada, look for a provincial certificate of qualification and check any municipal licensing and permit rules.
From: Hiring a plumber: emergencies, pricing, licences and what to askCanada
Electrical safety is a provincial and territorial matter. In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) licenses electrical contractors, and a Licensed Electrical Contractor should file for a permit with the ESA before starting most work. You can check a contractor's licence through the ESA.
From: How to hire an electrician in the UK, US, Canada and AustraliaGet quotes from local tradespeople in Canada
Describe the job once and hear back from tradespeople near you. Then use the checks in our guides on whoever replies.