uknowa

Licenses

Hiring an unlicensed contractor might seem like a good way to save a few dollars, but it could cost a bundle if things go wrong. If your home insurance company can prove that you knowingly hired an unlicensed contractor, they may not cover the damage that was left behind. This might not be a big problem with a broken window or a damaged carpet, but it can be a big problem if you have a flooded basement or a fire in your home.

Does Your Contractor Need a License?

Every province and territory in Canada handles licensing differently. While Ontario doesn’t require contractors to have a license to work, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and most other cities within the province do.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, finished basement renovation, bathroom remodel, or just hiring roofers to install shingles, there’s a pretty good chance that the contractors involved need a license.

These include:

• Carpenters
• Brick masons
• Concrete workers
• Waterproofing Specialists
• Plasterers
• Insulators
• Roofers
• Hardwood Flooring Installers
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Tiling Specialists
• Heating & Cooling Specialists (HVAC)
• General Contractors

Did You Know...

The City of Toronto requires contractors to give proof of liability insurance and submit a criminal background check when applying for a license.

How Do You Check?

Contact your city’s licensing office before signing any written contract. For the City of Toronto, contractors are issued a number when they receive their contractor license and should be able to supply you with that document along with their references and insurance certificates when presenting their estimate. The City of Toronto has made it very easy to call in and verify license numbers or if you have a question. Call 416-392-6700 and ask about the license number you’ve been provided with.

Keep in mind that just because your primary contractor has a license doesn’t exempt any sub-contractors working on your project from also needing a license – you’ll need to check for their licenses as well.

Look For The Badge

Contractors in uknowa's database who have voluntarily submitted their City of Toronto license number with us and have been verified have this information listed on their profile. We’ll be adding more cities in the future!