Why Verify Before You Hire?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Ontario can void your home insurance, cause your work to fail inspection, and leave you personally liable for injuries on site. In the worst cases, unpermitted or improperly performed work — particularly gas, electrical, and structural — creates serious safety hazards that manifest years later.
The tools on this page take two minutes to use and can save you tens of thousands of dollars in remediation costs, failed resales, or insurance disputes. Every Ontario homeowner undertaking a significant renovation should verify credentials before signing a contract.
Official Lookup Tools
Ontario Contractor License Lookup
Verify tradespeople through Skilled Trades Ontario, TSSA, and ESA. Covers electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, HVAC technicians, and more. Know what licence to ask for and how to check it.
Renfrew County Permit Portal
Building permits in Renfrew County are issued by individual municipalities. Learn which projects require a permit, how to apply, typical timelines and fees, and what happens if you skip the permit.
Ontario Well Record Search
Access the Ontario Well Registry to find drilled well data for any property. Essential for rural buyers, homeowners planning a new well, and anyone trying to understand local groundwater conditions in Renfrew County.
TSSA Registration Lookup
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority licenses gas fitters, propane technicians, oil burner mechanics, and boiler operators in Ontario. Verify before any gas, propane, or fuel oil work in your home.
ESA Electrical Contractor Lookup
The Electrical Safety Authority licences Master Electricians and regulates electrical work in Ontario. Find out how to verify your electrician's licence, when permits are required, and what DIY electrical work is actually legal.
Ontario Building Code
The OBC governs construction and renovation standards across Ontario. Understand the key parts that affect residential work — insulation R-values, deck requirements, window egress, septic setbacks — and how it's enforced locally.
Related Guides
These resources pair directly with our in-depth guides on hiring and permits: