Get It In Writing

Draw Up a Written Contract

Print this page

When you’ve decided on a contractor, it’s time to have a contract for the project drawn up. Most contractors will do this for you.

While the level of detail in a contract will vary depending on the complexity of work involved, all contracts need to include two types of information:

Sample Renovation Contract  Looking for an example to follow? Download the Sample Renovation Contract from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

  • Project details: Outlines everything you and the contractor have agreed to, including the work to be done, material and product specifications, responsibility for building permits and inspections, work schedule and price and payment arrangements.
  • Business details: Obliges the contractor to operate their business legitimately, and to provide risk protection. This includes business liability insurance, Workers' Compensation coverage or equivalent accidental injury insurance, bonding and/or licensing where this is required by provincial or municipal legislation, and proper business registration (a Business or GST/HST Number).

More detailed information is available in About Contracts.