Before hiring a contractor, ask who will run your renovation project, what the price includes, who handles permits and how payments and changes are approved. Ask for documents as well as answers. A named point of contact, itemized scope and written payment schedule make quotes easier to compare before you pay a deposit.
Contractor interview checklist
Use the same checklist with every company, including Northpole. Copy or print it before the first meeting and record the answers beside each question.
| Question to ask a contractor | Evidence to request | Answer that needs a follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the job each day? | Named point of contact, supervisor and contact details | Nobody is assigned or responsibility changes between trades |
| Who will work on my home? | In-house and subcontracted scope, with relevant credentials | The quote cannot identify who handles regulated work |
| Can I verify insurance and trade credentials? | Current documents and independently checkable details | Only a logo or verbal assurance is offered |
| Who applies for permits and books inspections? | Written responsibility and approval sequence | You are told permits are unnecessary without a scope check |
| Is this a fixed price, estimate or cost-plus job? | Itemized scope, allowances, exclusions and tax treatment | A single total hides what is included |
| When do I pay? | Deposit and progress payments tied to agreed milestones | Large payments are due without a defined deliverable |
| How do we approve changes mid-project? | Written price and schedule impact before extra work | Additional work starts before you approve its cost |
| How is my property protected? | Dust, floor protection, access, storage and cleanup plan | Protection and cleanup are left for later |
| What happens after completion? | Workmanship terms, inspection records and handover documents | Warranty promises are verbal or the contact is unclear |
Who is my point of contact?
Ask who supervises the work, who can approve a change and how to contact them during working hours. Confirm the route for an urgent problem outside those hours.
A contractor can use subcontractors and still manage the job well. The important question is who coordinates them and takes responsibility when one trade's work affects the next. Ask how often you receive updates and how decisions are recorded.
If you will be working from home, agree access times, which rooms remain usable and where materials are stored. These details belong in the plan before demolition.
Which licence and insurance documents should I check?
Ask which credentials apply to your actual work. Ontario does not have one province-wide general renovation contractor licence covering every task. Regulated trades and municipal requirements must be checked separately.
Verify a WSIB clearance where applicable and check electrical contractors through the Electrical Safety Authority. Ask for current liability insurance evidence and confirm the named business, scope and validity with the insurer if needed.
Our licensed and insured guide explains why a general assurance does not identify the actual protection.
Who handles permits and inspections?
Get responsibility for the application, fees, inspection bookings and any corrections into the written scope. Ask whether work can start before approval and what evidence of sign-off you receive.
A basement renovation in Toronto that creates another dwelling has different requirements from a straightforward repaint. Do not accept a blanket answer based only on project size. Our permit responsibility guide covers the questions to settle before work starts.
Is the price fixed, and what is excluded?
A fixed price is useful only when the work it buys is defined. Ask about material models, quantities, allowances, demolition, disposal, permits, restoration and HST. Identify provisional items before comparing the totals.
Ask what happens if a wall opens and reveals damaged framing or old services. A change order should describe the finding, additional scope, price and effect on completion. Both sides should approve it before that additional work proceeds.
For a practical comparison, our itemized quote guide explains how two apparently similar bids can cover different work.
What are the deposit and payment milestones?
Ask for the payment schedule before signing. Each progress invoice should correspond to an agreed milestone or documented material order. Clarify what happens if an inspection fails or a stage is incomplete.
Ontario's renovation consumer guidance is the primary reference for homeowner protections and contract expectations. Our deposit and payment schedule guide explains the practical questions to bring to the contractor.
How will you protect my property and schedule?
Ask about floor protection, dust containment, daily cleanup, material deliveries, keys, pets and parking. Agree who moves furniture and whether the crew resets a room for use each evening.
Request a start date, expected duration and dependencies such as material delivery or inspection availability. Ask how a delay will be communicated. A shorter promise is not useful if its scope leaves out preparation or drying.
For a concrete driveway in Kitchener, that discussion should include access and when the surface can be used. For flooring in Hamilton, it should include substrate preparation and any product acclimation requirements.
What do I receive at handover?
Ask for written workmanship terms, relevant inspection records, product information, care instructions and a contact for defects. Separate the contractor's workmanship warranty from manufacturers' product warranties.
Before hiring, speak with recent clients whose projects resemble yours. Ask how changes and problems were handled, not just whether the finished room looked good. Our reviews page provides another source to compare with references.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask in the first contractor meeting?
Start with relevant experience, the point of contact, who performs the work, document verification and the quote process. Review the detailed scope, permits, payments and warranty before signing.
Is it rude to ask for insurance or licence details?
No. Ask for the documents needed for your particular project and verify them independently. A legitimate credential should identify the business or tradesperson doing the relevant work.
What if the contract differs from the verbal promise?
Ask for the document to be corrected before signing. Do not rely on a conversation to fill gaps in the written scope, price, payment schedule or warranty.
Should I ask all these questions for a small job?
Scale them to the work. Painting may not need the same permit checks as a new suite, but scope, protection, payments and accountability still matter.
For a fuller hiring process, use our Ontario contractor selection guide. If an answer raises concerns, our contractor red-flags checklist covers the follow-up. Contact Northpole to discuss your own scope.