What deposit is normal for a stair lift in Ottawa?

We found no published standard for stair lift deposits in Ottawa or Ontario. What the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 does set out are rules that apply to any agreement made in your home.

What the law says about home agreements

If a salesperson comes to your home and you sign an agreement there, that is a direct agreement under the Consumer Protection Act, 2002. Any direct agreement over $50 must be in writing and a copy delivered to you. Once you have that written copy, you have 10 days to cancel without giving any reason. If the written copy does not meet the Act's requirements, that cancellation window extends to up to one year. Cancel in writing and keep a copy; if work has already started and you want to cancel, speak with a lawyer.

The Act also covers estimates. If your agreement includes an estimate, the supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent over it, whether the agreement was signed in your home or elsewhere.

On a larger job, the Construction Act requires that 10 per cent of the price be held back as work is supplied; ask a lawyer about when it is safe to release that holdback.

None of this tells you what deposit figure to accept. What it does mean is that before any money changes hands, you should have a written agreement in hand, and you should understand what the deposit covers, what triggers the balance, and what happens if the unit cannot be installed as planned.

A few things worth asking for in writing before you sign: an itemized quote showing the cost of the unit and the cost of installation separately, the payment schedule tied to specific stages, and what the cancellation or return terms are if the lift cannot be fitted to your stairs.

Ontario Regulation 209/01 does not apply to elevating devices in a private dwelling house used by the occupants and their guests, unless you request in writing that it apply. TSSA licenses contractors and mechanics for the devices its Regulation covers; whether that licensing applies to work at your home depends on whether the Regulation applies.

Local contractors listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory can receive your request through the form on this page.

Ask the contractor to show you exactly what triggers each payment and what your options are if the installation cannot be completed as quoted.