1. Check Business Registration Online

For Ontario (ServiceOntario)

• Visit the Ontario Business Registry:
  https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-business-registry
• Search by business name or number to see if they are registered.

For Other Provinces

Each province has its own business registry:

• British Columbia: BC Registry Services
• Alberta: Alberta Corporate Registry
• Quebec: Registraire des entreprises
• Manitoba, Saskatchewan, etc.: Check the respective provincial registry.

2. Verify Federal Incorporation (If Incorporated)

• Search the Corporations Canada database if the company is federally registered:
  https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en
• Enter the company name or incorporation number.

3. Check WSIB (Ontario) or Workers’ Compensation Board (Other Provinces)

• If hiring a construction/renovation contractor in Ontario, verify their WSIB Clearance Certificate:
  https://www.wsib.ca/en/clearance
• Other provinces have similar Workers’ Compensation Boards where you can check if they are registered.

4. Request Business Registration Documents

• Ask the contractor for:
  • Business Number (BN) from CRA (if a registered business)
  • Articles of Incorporation (if incorporated)
  • GST/HST Registration Number (if applicable)
  • WSIB Certificate (for Ontario)

5. Check Business Reputation

• Search for the contractor on:
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB): https://www.bbb.org/
  • Homestars, Google Reviews, or Yelp to see past customer feedback.

6. Verify Licensing & Permits

• Renovation contractors may need licenses depending on location:
  • Ontario: Check with Ontario College of Trades
  • Toronto: Verify at Toronto Contractor Licensing
  • Other municipalities may have their own requirements.

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 They refuse to provide business registration details.
🚩 No WSIB or liability insurance (if required for your project).
🚩 Only accept cash payments with no invoices.
🚩 Bad reviews or complaints online.

Would you like help checking a specific contractor?

• Author
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Anu Verma

Growth Head at Home Reno Quotes
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Growth strategy, customer acquisition, data-driven insights. Head of Growth at Home Reno Quotes, helping businesses scale through innovative lead generation.

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