Does a kitchen renovator need a licence in Ontario?
The renovator, no; some of the trades, yes. Renovators are not licensed or regulated the way the Home Construction Regulatory Authority licenses new home builders and sellers. But anyone you hire for electrical work in your home must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and only a certified gas technician may install or service a natural gas or propane appliance such as a gas range. In Toronto, adding or removing walls needs a building permit.[1],[2],[3],[4]
How to check
If the kitchen includes gas work, check the company in TSSA's public registry of fuels contractors: registered fuels contractors are the only businesses legally authorized to do fuels-related work in Ontario. For the renovation company itself, search Ontario's Consumer Beware List.[5],[6]
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]
- 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 O. Reg. 215/01, only a certified gas technician may install, service or repair a natural gas or propane appliance such as a furnace; a G.2 certificate covers appliances of 400,000 Btu/h or less. Government of Ontario[3]
- TSSA's public registry of fuels contractors lets you check that a heating company holds a valid TSSA registration; it is updated at the beginning of each month. TSSA[5]
- Adding or removing walls is a structural or material alteration that needs a building permit in Toronto. City of Toronto[4]
- 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[6]
Frequently asked questions
Does a kitchen renovation company need a licence in Ontario?
Not from the Home Construction Regulatory Authority: renovators are not licensed or regulated the way new home builders and sellers are through it.[1]
Who can connect a gas range or cooktop?
A certified gas technician. Under O. Reg. 215/01, only a certificate holder may install or service a natural gas or propane appliance; a G.2 certificate covers appliances of 400,000 Btu/h or less. TSSA's registry lists the fuels contractors authorized to do that work.[3],[5]
Who can do the electrical work in a kitchen renovation?
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]
Do I need a permit to remove a wall for an open kitchen in Toronto?
Yes. Adding or removing walls is a structural or material alteration that needs a building permit in Toronto.[4]
How do I check a renovation company before hiring?
Search Ontario's Consumer Beware List, which names businesses that did not answer the ministry after 2 notifications about a consumer complaint, or that were charged or convicted under the Consumer Protection Act or other ministry acts. A business stays on it for 21 to 27 months.[6]
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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, O. Reg. 215/01: Fuel Industry Certificates. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- City of Toronto, When do I need a building permit? (Page modified July 21, 2026). Accessed October 19, 2026.
- TSSA, Authorized heating fuel contractors. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Search the Consumer Beware List (Updated September 25, 2024). Accessed October 25, 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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