My Barrhaven ramp bill came in over the estimate; what are my rights?

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, if your contract included an estimate, the contractor cannot charge more than 10 per cent over that estimate. That is the rule that applies here.

Two points matter here. The 10 per cent rule applies to any consumer agreement that includes an estimate. Separately, if the agreement was made at your home and was over $50, it had to be in writing with a copy delivered to you; where the copy did not meet the Act, the cancellation window can run up to one year. Ask the contractor to show you, line by line, what changed and why.

What to do now

Start by putting your question in writing to the contractor, asking for an itemized breakdown that shows the original estimate, every change, and the reason the final bill is higher. Keep copies of everything: the original contract, any change orders, invoices, and your proof of payment. Compare the final bill with the estimate and the 10 per cent limit, and get advice if the two do not line up.

On a larger job, the Construction Act requires an owner to hold back 10 per cent of the price as work is supplied, and liens expire 60 days after completion events, so ask a lawyer about the timing before you release any holdback.

If you believe you are dealing with fraud rather than a billing dispute, Ontario's guide for seniors says fraud is reported to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

One question worth putting to the contractor in writing before you pay anything further: can you provide a written explanation, tied to the original estimate, for every dollar charged above it?

If you are still planning accessibility work at the property, the request form on this page sends your project details to Ottawa-area contractors listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory.