Are general contractors licensed in Ontario?
It depends on what they build. Ontario licenses new home builders and sellers through the Home Construction Regulatory Authority, but renovators are not licensed or regulated by it the same way. If you hire someone for electrical work in your home, it must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and building permits are the homeowner's responsibility, though a contractor may get them on your behalf. Before you hire, search Ontario's Consumer Beware List.[1],[2],[3],[4]
How to check
For any contractor, search Ontario's Consumer Beware List: it names businesses that did not answer the ministry after 2 notifications about a consumer complaint, or that have been charged or convicted under the Consumer Protection Act or other acts of the ministry. For a builder of new homes, use the HCRA lookup linked below.[1],[4]
What Ontario's rules say
- Renovators are not licensed or regulated by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority the way new home builders and sellers are. Home Construction Regulatory Authority[1]
- Before you hire, search Ontario's Consumer Beware List: the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery lists businesses that did not answer it after 2 notifications about a consumer complaint, or that have been charged or convicted in relation to the Consumer Protection Act or other acts of the ministry. A business stays on the list for 21 to 27 months. Government of Ontario[4]
- Getting building permits is the homeowner's responsibility; if the contractor will pull them, put that in the contract and do not let work start until you have seen them. Government of Ontario[3]
- By law, anyone you hire to do electrical work in your home in Ontario must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and the contractor files the notification and requests ESA's inspection. Electrical Safety Authority[2]
- Under Ontario law, any home renovation contract worth more than $50 must be in writing, and you may not get anything that is not written into it. Government of Ontario[5]
Frequently asked questions
Does a general contractor need a licence in Ontario?
A builder or seller of new homes is licensed and regulated through the Home Construction Regulatory Authority. A renovator is not licensed or regulated by it in the same way.[1]
Who gets the building permit, me or the contractor?
Ontario's guidance says getting building permits is the homeowner's responsibility. If the contractor will get them for you, have that written into the contract and do not let construction begin until you have seen them.[3]
Can my general contractor do the electrical work?
Only through a Licensed Electrical Contractor: by law, anyone you hire to do electrical work in your home in Ontario must be one, and the contractor files the notification and requests the Electrical Safety Authority's inspection.[2]
Does a renovation contract have to be in writing?
Yes, if it is worth more than $50. Under Ontario law such a home renovation contract must be in writing, and you may not get anything that is not written into it.[5]
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Sources
- Home Construction Regulatory Authority, Finding a renovator. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Electrical Safety Authority, Notifications and inspections. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs (Updated August 6, 2026). Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Search the Consumer Beware List (Updated September 25, 2024). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs (Updated August 6, 2026). Accessed October 19, 2026.
This guide restates what each source says; it is not legal advice. Rules change — the linked source is the authority.
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