What references should I ask an Ottawa accessibility contractor for?

Three references is a reasonable starting point, and the Government of Ontario's guide for seniors specifically recommends asking for three and checking them. Here is what to ask for and what to look for when you follow up.

What to ask each reference

When you contact the references a contractor gives you, ask whether the work described in the quote is what was actually done, whether the final price matched the written estimate, and whether the site was left clean and in good order. Ask if there were any surprises and how the contractor handled them. A reference who had a problem that was resolved well tells you more than one where nothing went wrong.

Ask the contractor directly for references from jobs similar to yours. A contractor who has done entrance ramps should be able to point you to a ramp job; one who has widened doorways should have a doorway reference. If the work involved a permit, ask whether the permit was pulled and whether the inspection passed.

A few other things worth asking the contractor before you rely on references alone:

• Their WSIB status. WSIB says people who own or run a construction business must have coverage, with some exceptions, including sole proprietors who do only home renovation work for the person who hires them or that person's family. You can ask for a clearance certificate.
• Whether the written contract includes a detailed description of the work, the materials, the timeline and the total price. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, a contract signed at your home over $50 must be in writing and delivered to you; you can cancel without any reason within 10 days after you receive the written copy. If the contract includes an estimate, the final charge cannot exceed it by more than 10 per cent.

The Ontario guide for seniors also notes that fraud is reported to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Ontario's door-to-door tips also say you do not have to sign a contract on the spot.

The Construction Act requires an owner to hold back 10 per cent of the price as work is supplied; on a larger job, ask a lawyer about when to release it.