How to Choose a Contractor in Ontario: The Complete Guide

Choosing a contractor is one of the most important decisions an Ontario homeowner can make. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, replacing a roof, or finishing a basement, the right contractor delivers on time, on budget, and to a standard you can be proud of. The wrong one can cost you thousands in repairs, delays, and legal headaches.

Start with Verified Credentials

Ontario has specific licensing requirements for many trades. Electrical contractors must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Gas technicians need Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) certification, and air conditioning and heat pump mechanics need a Skilled Trades Ontario Certificate of Qualification (313A or 313D). Plumbing is a compulsory trade too. New-home builders require a Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) licence. These are not optional — they are provincial law.

Before you hire anyone, verify their credentials. ProScore checks ESA licences, TSSA registrations and HCRA builder licences against the regulators' registers, and WSIB registration against WSIB records. A credential a business only declares is labelled self-declared.

Check WSIB Coverage

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides workers' compensation coverage. If a worker is injured on your property and isn't covered by WSIB, they may look to you, as the property owner, for compensation. Always confirm WSIB registration before work begins.

Get Multiple Quotes

Contact at least three contractors for written quotes. A legitimate quote should include:

Be wary of quotes significantly lower than others — this often signals corners being cut on materials, insurance, or permits.

Read Reviews Across Multiple Platforms

A single platform's reviews can be misleading. A contractor with 4.8 stars on Google might have an F with the Better Business Bureau or poor ratings elsewhere. ProScore aggregates ratings from 10+ data sources to give you the complete picture.

Look for patterns: consistent praise for quality work, communication, and reliability is a strong signal. Consistent complaints about billing, delays, or cleanup should raise flags.

Trust the Data, Not the Sales Pitch

Every contractor will tell you they are the best. Data tells you the truth. ProScore evaluates contractors across four pillars — Reputation, Verification, Sentiment, and Transparency — to produce a single trust score from 0 to 100.

Search for contractors at proscore.ca to compare scores, read cross-platform reviews, and verify government credentials before you hire.