Contractor Documents
Before work starts, ask for these 6 documents. Most Ontario homeowners never do — until something goes wrong.
A legitimate, properly insured contractor can provide every document on this list within 24 to 48 hours of being asked. Resistance or delay is a signal worth paying attention to.
5 min read Ontario homeowners Updated 2026
Why Documents Matter
Missing contractor documents shift legal and financial risk directly onto the homeowner
When a contractor works on your property without liability insurance, their WSIB clearance certificate, or a written contract, any incident becomes your problem to resolve. Ontario law does not automatically protect homeowners who hire unverified contractors. The documents below transfer that risk back where it belongs.
6
documents any reputable Ontario contractor should provide before starting work
24–48h
the time a professional contractor needs to produce any of these documents — not weeks
$2M
minimum recommended liability insurance threshold for projects over $25,000
Risk Without Documentation
What documentation gaps actually lead to
Ontario contractor disputes involving this factor% of disputes
No written scope of work
41%
No liability insurance proof
29%
"Every professional contractor I have worked with had their certificate of insurance ready to forward. The ones who needed weeks to produce it were almost always the ones who did not have it."
Document Checklist
6 documents to confirm before work begins — check off what you have received
Work through this list once a contractor is selected and before any deposit is paid. Request anything not yet provided in writing.
Certificate of liability insurance (minimum $2M for projects over $25K). Confirm the policy is current and covers the type of work being done on your property. Ask for the insurer name and policy number.
WSIB clearance certificate (current, in your contractor name). Download or ask for a printout from wsib.ca. The certificate should be dated within the past 90 days.
Signed written contract or agreement with defined scope. The signed document should include: scope of work, materials, start and end dates, payment schedule, change order process, and warranty terms.
Itemized quote or cost breakdown (for projects over $10,000). A total price without a breakdown makes change order pricing undefined. Ask for a written breakdown of major line items.
Business registration or HST number. A registered business has HST obligations and is trackable if disputes arise. Cash-only contractors who refuse to provide a receipt are a major red flag.
References from similar projects completed in the past 24 months. Not just any references — from projects of similar size and type. Ask specifically about budget adherence and timeline accuracy.
When to ask: Request these documents after a contractor has provided a quote you are seriously considering. Legitimate contractors expect this and have documents ready. The best time is when you notify them they are your top candidate.
Have the documents — but not sure if the quote itself is solid?
Contract Link reviews quotes for scope completeness, pricing benchmarks, and red flags before Ontario homeowners commit to a project.
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