How to Choose a Renovation Contractor in York Region

1. Know your consumer rights first

Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, 2002 gives homeowners important protections for renovation work (Ontario: your rights when starting home renovations or repairs):

• Agreements over $50 must be in writing.
• If an estimate is part of the agreement, the final price can't exceed it by more than 10% unless you agree to the change.
• If you sign the agreement in your home, you generally have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel.

The province has passed a new Consumer Protection Act, 2023, but it takes effect only when proclaimed, so check the current rules when you sign.

2. Check the basics

• Real business details: a registered business name, phone number, email and website that match the contract and invoices.
• Consumer Beware List: search the contractor's name on Ontario's Consumer Beware List.
• Reviews: read recent Google and HomeStars reviews, and look at how the contractor replies to criticism, not just the star rating.
• References and photos: ask for recent projects similar to yours, and real photos of their own work.

3. Ask about insurance and WSIB

Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and check the dates and coverage. Ask about workplace safety coverage too. The WSIB explains that homeowners who hire a contractor directly for renovations to their own home generally don't need a clearance certificate (WSIB clearance Q&A), but you can still check a business's clearance status with the WSIB online lookup. Whatever the answer, get it in writing.

4. Electrical and plumbing: who does it?

In Ontario, electrical work for others must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor under an ESA permit (ESA). Ask for the electrical contractor's licence number and check it in the ESA Contractor Locator. Ask who will do the plumbing and whether they're qualified. Many renovation companies, including BDF, coordinate licensed partner contractors for this work. That's normal, as long as it's clear in the contract.

5. Permits: who's responsible?

Ask whether your project needs a building permit and who will get it. Usually it's the contractor doing the work. Be wary if a contractor suggests skipping a required permit, or asks you to apply in your own name for work they're doing, because the permit holder takes on responsibility. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance, resale and safety, and for basement apartments it can stop the unit from being legal (see our guide to legal basement apartments in Ontario).

6. Compare quotes properly

The cheapest number isn't always the best value. A useful quote is written and itemized, so you can compare like with like:

• Scope of work, room by room
• What's included and what's excluded (permits, disposal, painting, fixtures)
• Materials, brands or allowances
• Schedule and working hours
• Payment schedule
• How changes are priced and approved
• Warranty terms

If one quote is far below the others, ask what's missing.

7. Payments and deposits

• Payments should be tied to milestones in the contract, not to dates alone.
• Be cautious with requests for very large upfront payments or cash-only deals without receipts.
• Get a receipt or invoice for every payment.

8. Changes and communication

Renovations almost always involve some changes. Agree up front that every change will be priced and approved in writing (a "change order") before the work is done. Ask who your day-to-day contact is, how often you'll get updates, and how you'll communicate.

9. Warranty in writing

Ask what the warranty covers, for how long, and what isn't covered. A written warranty is in addition to the protections you already have under Ontario law. Product and appliance warranties usually come from the manufacturer, separately.

10. Red flags

• Door-to-door pressure, or "today only" pricing
• No written contract, or a vague one-line quote
• Reluctance to discuss permits, insurance or licensed trades
• Large cash deposits with no receipt
• No verifiable business address, phone or reviews
• Claims that can't be backed up ("guaranteed approval", "best in the region")

A note on Toronto

If your project is inside the City of Toronto, renovators must hold a Toronto Building Renovator licence. That licence applies to Toronto only. York Region homeowners should rely on the checks above.

How we work at BDF

BDF Renovation and Construction Inc. is based in Newmarket, and our team brings 15 years of renovation experience in Toronto and across Canada. Every project starts with a free on-site estimate and a written, itemized quote. We handle permits when they're needed, plumbing and electrical work is completed through our licensed partner contractors, and work we perform comes with a 1-year warranty. Ask us any of the questions above. We're happy to answer them.

Explore our services: bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, legal basement apartments, powder room remodeling and home repairs. We serve Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, East Gwillimbury, Schomberg and surrounding areas.

General information only, current as of October 2026. Rules change and every property is different, so confirm requirements with your municipality before you start.