Renovation Contracts in Ontario: What to Get in Writing

Most renovation disputes are really documentation disputes: two people remembering a verbal agreement differently. A written contract is not about distrust — it is the shared reference that keeps a good working relationship good when a surprise shows up behind the wall. Here is what a renovation contract in Ontario should put in writing before anyone starts.

What every renovation contract should include

• The parties and licences — the legal business name, contact details, and proof of WSIB and liability insurance.
• A detailed scope of work — what is included and what is explicitly excluded.
• The total price and how it is structured — fixed price, or cost-plus with a cap, and what allowances are set.
• A payment schedule tied to milestones — a reasonable deposit, progress payments, and a holdback until completion.
• The timeline — start date, target completion, and how delays are handled.
• The change-order process — how a surprise or a change becomes an agreed, written price BEFORE the work happens.
• Warranty terms — on workmanship and on materials, in writing, with who to call.
• Permits and responsibility — who pulls them, arranges inspections, and closes them.
• Cleanup, site protection, and dispute resolution.

Payment and deposits

A modest deposit to secure a start date and order materials is normal; a large up-front payment is a warning sign. Tie payments to completed milestones so money follows progress, and keep a holdback until the punch list is finished. Ontario's construction and consumer-protection laws include specific rules — for example, holdback provisions on many projects and cancellation rights for certain contracts — so confirm the current rules for your situation rather than assuming.

Before you sign

• Read the whole thing, including the exclusions and the fine print on allowances.
• Make sure every verbal promise made during the sales visit is written into the scope.
• Never start work on a verbal agreement or pay the full amount up front.
• Keep a signed copy, and keep all change orders in writing as the job progresses.
• For a large or complex job, consider having the contract professionally reviewed.