Mike Pearson
Apr 1, 2025
Homeowners should confirm whether a contractor is licensed before any work begins.
April is the traditional start of the home renovation season, a time to reimagine your kitchen, bathroom or finished basement or create the perfect patio oasis.
It’s also a time when many Ontario homeowners may receive a knock on their door from a home renovation contractor offering a special deal.
Peak season for fraud
Bob Assadourian, a Hamilton home renovation contractor, notes spring and summer are peak seasons for home renovation fraud.
Assadourian hosts a do-it-yourself home renovation show called “Just Ask Bob” where he offers how-to tips to help homeowners complete renovation jobs on their own.
For more than 15 years, Assadourian has also helped homeowners avoid renovation rip-offs.
Based on his own observations and feedback from viewers, Assadourian has noticed an increase in contractors lying about Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation or their years of experience, for example. Contractors may include a BBB logo on flyers or a website when they are not accredited by the organization.
Assadourian said crooked contractors are becoming savvier to defraud homeowners.
“They’re crafty and sneaky,” he said. “They’re trying to get every angle they can to bolster themselves.”
Red flags
Assadourian said homeowners need to confirm whether a contractor is accredited and licensed before agreeing to any work.
Unlicensed contractors may lie about their qualifications while hoping homeowners won’t do their own research.
Homeowners should also be skeptical of any photos, reviews and testimonials on a contractor’s website, as they can all be fabricated.
Unlicensed home renovators may invest in flyer campaigns designed to steal deposits or leave the job unfinished once payment is received.
Confirm licensing
As a starting point, Assadourian said homeowners need to confirm whether a contractor is licensed before any work begins.
The contractor should also possess workplace safety and insurance coverage. Ask to see certification from Skilled Trades Ontario and verify the company’s references.
Assadourian said homeowners should also confirm whether a contractor is licensed to work in the city where they are advertising services.
Toronto, for example, has a municipal renovator licence, which is required for all businesses that provide services to repair or renovate buildings and structures.
The City of Hamilton has a similar trade licence program.
Whether you’re hiring a contractor through family, friends or an online listing, tell anyone you’re thinking of hiring that you expect to see a copy of their contractor licence before any work can begin.
That should weed out any unscrupulous actors before they come to your home.
You can also ask for a reference sheet and credentials.
Avoid door-to-door contractors
The biggest red flag, said Assadourian, is the door-to-door contractor.
“Any contractor worth their salt will have a list of clients,” said Assadourian. “They will not waste their time going door-to-door. I don’t believe anyone should be bothered at their home.”
Assadourian said door-to-door contractors may offer high-pressure sales tactics, including limited time discounts on renovation services that prove too good to be true. In some cases, a door-to-door contractor may accept deposit money and never return or leave a job unfinished.
“Any contractor that’s licensed and legitimate is going to be booking several weeks ahead,” said Assadourian. “They’re going to be booking for small jobs one or two weeks ahead and big ones six to eight weeks ahead.”
If a contractor agrees to start a major renovation immediately or in a matter of days, that’s a red flag, said Assadourian.
Even if the renovator has good intentions, hiring an unlicensed and underqualified worker may cause more harm than good.
“Many people are handy do-it-yourselfers. But that does not make you a licensed contractor,” said Assadourian.