Water is coming in somewhere, a furnace will not start, or somebody has asked you for a certificate you have never heard of. These are the 268 jobs the trades in this directory do, in the words a homeowner would use, with what each one typically costs and which credential it calls for, separated by whether that is the law, an insurer’s condition or simply what you should insist on.
Insurers, lenders and condominium boards ask for these by name and rarely say which trade holds them. Only a contractor who carries the credential can produce the paperwork, so filtering to the businesses whose record lists a number first is not caution here, it is the requirement. Nothing here was checked against a registry, so take the number to the issuer once you have it.
BCIN with the on-site sewage systems qualification
Issued by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
There is no public search for a BCIN. Ask for the number, then ask the authority issuing the sewage system permit to confirm it covers on-site sewage systems and is current: that authority checks it before it issues the permit, so it already holds the answer. Depending on the property that authority is the municipality, the health unit or the conservation authority.
Certificate of qualification
Issued by Skilled Trades Ontario
Commercial general liability insurance
Issued by Private insurer
ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence
Issued by Electrical Safety Authority
TSSA fuels certificate
Issued by Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Well contractor licence
Issued by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ask for the licence number of the business and the licence number of the technician who will be on site, and ask for the well record, which names the contractor who did the work. The ministry that issues the licences is the only place that can confirm a number is current, so telephone them with it. A contractor who will not give you a number is the answer to the question.
Well technician licence
Issued by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
This is the licence of the person doing the work, not of the business that sold it to you. Ask which technician will attend and for their licence number, then confirm it with the ministry. The two numbers are checked separately because they can disagree.
WETT certification
Issued by Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc.
WETT certificate numbers are not in a register you can search. Ask for the inspector's WETT number and the date on the certificate, then telephone WETT Inc. to confirm the number is theirs and still in good standing. Your insurer will also confirm which certificate they will accept, and theirs is the requirement that matters.
Each trade opens to its own jobs, its cost band and whether anybody is listed in it yet. Where nobody is, the band and the licence requirement are still what you need to judge a quote from anywhere else.
Fridges, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers and built-in appliances.
$120 to $350 per visit
Diagnostic call plus common parts. Excludes major components such as compressors and control boards.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Pruning, removal, cabling, stump grinding and health assessments. In Toronto, most mature trees are protected and removal needs a permit.
$400 to $3,500 per tree
Pruning at the low end, large removal at the high end. Excludes permits, stump grinding and crane access.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Diagnosing and fixing water entry: grading, crack injection, interior or exterior membranes, weeping tile, sump pumps and backwater valves.
Quote only
Crack injection at the low end, full exterior excavation at the high end. Excludes landscaping restoration and finishing the basement afterward.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Sweeping, inspection, liner installation, cap and crown repair, and decommissioning unused flues.
Quote only
Sweep and inspection at the low end, relining at the high end. Excludes masonry rebuild of the stack.
Required by insurers. WETT certification.
Move-in and move-out deep cleans, recurring service and post-renovation cleanup.
$200 to $600 per visit
Deep clean of an empty two or three bedroom home. Recurring service costs less per visit.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Docks, cribs, boat lifts, stairs down to the water, armour stone at the waterline and repairs after ice. Work in or beside the water usually needs an approval the municipality does not issue: the bed of most Ontario lakes and rivers is Crown land, and the conservation authority regulates what happens on the shoreline above it.
Quote only
A replacement dock on a residential waterfront lot with road access to the water. Cribs, marine railways and armour stone cost more. Excludes the approvals and the drawings they need, removing the old structure, and barge or crane access where there is no road.
Ontario licenses nobody for this work, so there is no licence to check and none to hold. Insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares here.
Board, taping, mudding, texture matching, plaster repair and ceiling repair.
$2 to $5 per sq ft
Supply, board and finish per square foot of wall area. Excludes framing, insulation and painting.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Cleaning supply and return ducts, dryer vents and HRV systems.
$300 to $600 flat
Whole house, all vents, on a typical home. Be suspicious of anything advertised far below this range.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Panel and service upgrades, rewiring, circuits, fixtures, EV chargers and knob-and-tube replacement. Requires an ECRA/ESA licensed contractor in Ontario.
$120 to $180 per hour
Licensed contractor hourly rate. A 200 amp service upgrade runs in the low thousands; a full rewire is a five figure job.
Required by law. ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence. Electricity Act, 1998, O. Reg. 570/05 (Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians).
Landscape and facade lighting: path and garden fixtures, uplighting on trees, soffit and porch lights, and the timers that run them.
Quote only
Low-voltage system with a transformer and eight to twenty fixtures, installed. Excludes any new circuit or panel work, which is licensed electrical work and priced separately.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Wood and composite fences, gates, decks, pergolas and porch rebuilds.
$45 to $120 per linear ft
Pressure-treated fence per linear foot installed. Decks are quoted per square foot and cost several times this.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Hardwood, engineered, laminate, vinyl plank and tile supply, installation and refinishing.
$4 to $15 per sq ft
Installation labour per square foot. Materials are extra. Refinishing existing hardwood sits at the low end.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Door and opener installation, spring and cable replacement, track alignment and safety sensors.
Quote only
Spring replacement at the low end, insulated door with opener at the high end. Excludes structural framing changes.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Managing multi-trade renovations: permits, scheduling, subtrades and inspections.
$150 to $400 per sq ft
Full renovation per square foot of area renovated. Wide because scope and finish level dominate. Excludes permits and design fees.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Small repairs and installations: shelving, doors, caulking, minor carpentry and assembly.
$60 to $110 per hour
Hourly with a minimum, usually two hours. Excludes anything requiring an electrical or gas licence.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, water heaters and ductwork. Gas work requires TSSA certification.
Quote only
Furnace or air conditioner supplied and installed. Heat pumps and boilers cost more. Excludes ductwork modification and electrical upgrades.
Required by law. TSSA fuels certificate. Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, O. Reg. 215/01 (Fuel Industry Certificates).
Pre-purchase and pre-listing inspections, thermal imaging, sewer camera scopes and WETT inspections for wood-burning appliances.
$450 to $900 flat
Standard house inspection with a written report. Excludes sewer camera, thermal imaging, WETT and lab testing for asbestos or mould.
Standard practice. Commercial general liability insurance.
Unpacking and setting up a house so it works: kitchens and closets laid out, garage and basement storage, and the sort-and-donate pass before the truck is loaded.
$65 to $110 per hour
Per organizer per hour, usually a minimum of four. Excludes shelving, bins and closet systems, which are bought separately and are most of the total on a garage.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Attic top-ups, spray foam, basement and rim joist insulation, air sealing and attic ventilation.
Quote only
Attic top-up to current code on a typical house. Spray foam and basement work cost more. Excludes asbestos or vermiculite abatement.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Layout and finish decisions made once instead of three times: paint and finish schedules, kitchen and bathroom layouts drawn before demolition, furniture plans for empty rooms, and coordination of the trades doing the work.
$150 to $300 per hour
Hourly consultation, or roughly ten to fifteen percent of the construction budget on full service. Excludes furniture, materials and any drawing that needs an engineer or architect to stamp it.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Clearing furniture, renovation debris, appliances and full property cleanouts.
Quote only
By volume in the truck. Excludes hazardous materials, tires, paint and electronics surcharges.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Kitchen and bathroom renovation: cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures and the plumbing and electrical behind them.
Quote only
Mid-range kitchen or a full bathroom at the low end. Excludes moving plumbing stacks, structural work and appliances.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Design and build work outside the house: grading, sod, planting beds, interlock walkways, retaining walls, drainage.
Quote only
Design and build for a typical GTA lot. Excludes permits, tree removal and irrigation.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Recurring mowing, trimming, fertilizing, aeration and spring or fall cleanup.
$45 to $90 per visit
Weekly cut on a typical city lot. Excludes fertilizer programs, aeration and cleanups.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Rekeying, lock replacement, smart locks and lockouts.
$80 to $300 per visit
Rekeying the exterior locks of a typical house. Excludes high-security cylinders and smart lock hardware.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Brick and block repair, repointing, chimney rebuilds, stone work, porches and parging.
Quote only
Repointing a wall at the low end, a chimney or porch rebuild at the high end. Excludes scaffolding on tall elevations.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Local and long distance moving, packing, storage and single-item transport.
Quote only
Two or three bedroom local move. Excludes packing materials, storage, and stairs or elevator surcharges.
Standard practice. Commercial general liability insurance.
Interior and exterior painting, wallpaper removal, drywall patching and trim.
$2 to $6 per sq ft
Interior walls and ceilings per square foot of floor area, two coats. Excludes major drywall repair, trim and exterior work.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Mice, rats, ants, cockroaches, wasps, raccoons and squirrels, with exclusion work to keep them out.
Quote only
Initial treatment plus follow-up. Wildlife exclusion and roof or soffit repair are extra and are the part that actually works.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Drains, supply lines, fixtures, water heaters, sewer laterals, backwater valves and emergency leaks.
$110 to $175 per hour
Licensed plumber hourly rate, higher for after-hours calls. A sewer lateral replacement is a five figure job with excavation.
Required by law. Certificate of qualification. Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021: plumber (306A) is a compulsory trade.
Installation, opening and closing, liner replacement, heater and pump service, safety fencing.
$400 to $1,200 per visit
Seasonal opening or closing. Installation is a five figure project and liner replacement runs into the thousands.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Furnaces, boilers, water heaters, tanks and lines for the houses with no gas main: propane, and oil where the tank is still in the basement. Burner and fuel line work requires a TSSA fuels certificate, and an oil tank has to satisfy the fuel distributor's inspection before they will keep filling it.
Quote only
A propane furnace or boiler supplied and installed. A conversion from oil sits at the high end. Excludes the tank, the regulator and the line, which are often rented from the fuel supplier under a contract, and excludes removing an oil tank.
Required by law. TSSA fuels certificate. Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, O. Reg. 215/01 (Fuel Industry Certificates).
Shingle and flat roof replacement, repairs, flashing, vents, eavestroughs and ice dam remediation.
Quote only
Full asphalt reroof on a typical two storey. Excludes plywood replacement, which is the usual surprise, and structural repair.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Alarm systems, cameras, smart locks and monitoring. Hardwired work requires ECRA/ESA licensing.
Quote only
Equipment and installation. Monitoring is a separate monthly fee, often on a multi-year contract.
Standard practice. ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence.
Pumping the tank, cleaning the effluent filter, and looking at the lid, the risers and the baffles while the tank is empty. Maintenance on a system that works, which is different work from installing or replacing one.
$350 to $700 per visit
A residential tank pumped out within the hauler's usual travel. Rural distance is billed. Excludes locating and digging out a buried lid, fitting risers, and any repair the empty tank turns out to need.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Installing, replacing and repairing sewage systems: tanks, pumps, distribution boxes and leaching beds, with the soil evaluation and the design behind them. A new or replacement system needs a permit, and the authority that issues it is the local one, which depending on the property is the municipality, the health unit or the conservation authority.
Quote only
A replacement conventional bed on a lot with room for one. Raised beds, filter beds and tertiary treatment units cost more, and a lot with no room at all is a different conversation. Excludes the permit fee, the soil evaluation and design, clearing trees, imported fill and restoring the yard.
Required by law. BCIN with the on-site sewage systems qualification.
Driveway and walkway clearing, salting, and roof or ice dam clearing after a storm.
$350 to $800 per season
Seasonal driveway contract. Per-visit pricing costs more overall and is harder to get mid-storm.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Rooftop solar, inverters, battery storage and net metering connections. Electrical work requires ECRA/ESA licensing.
Quote only
Residential rooftop system installed. Excludes roof replacement, structural reinforcement and utility upgrade costs.
Required by law. ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence. Electricity Act, 1998, O. Reg. 570/05 (Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians).
Permanently installed standby generators, the transfer switch that keeps them separated from the grid, inlet boxes for a portable unit, load calculations and annual service. The connection is electrical contracting work, and a propane or natural gas unit needs a TSSA certificate holder for the fuel side.
Quote only
An air-cooled standby unit with an automatic transfer switch, supplied and installed. Excludes the pad, the propane tank, trenching, and any panel upgrade the load calculation turns out to require.
Required by law. ECRA/ESA electrical contractor licence. Electricity Act, 1998, O. Reg. 570/05 (Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians).
Drilled and dug wells, submersible pumps, pressure tanks, water testing, and treatment for iron, sulphur, hardness and bacteria. Constructing, altering and abandoning a well in Ontario is regulated under O. Reg. 903, and the work is done by a licensed well contractor and well technician rather than by a plumber.
Quote only
Pump and pressure tank replacement at the low end, a new drilled well at the high end, where drilling is quoted by the foot and the depth is not known until they are down it. Excludes treatment equipment, trenching to the house, and plugging the well being replaced.
Required by law. Well contractor licence. Ontario Water Resources Act, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 903 (Wells).
Required by law. Well technician licence. Ontario Water Resources Act, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 903 (Wells).
Blinds, shades, shutters and drapery measured and installed, including blackout in bedrooms and motorized roller blinds.
$150 to $600 flat
Per window, supplied and installed, for roller or cellular shades. Shutters and motorized blinds run several times that, and hardwiring a motor is electrical work quoted on its own.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
Window and exterior door replacement, capping, weatherstripping and glass repair.
$900 to $2,500 flat
Per window supplied and installed. Larger or custom openings, and full frame replacement, cost considerably more.
We hold no licence to check for this category, so insurance and WSIB clearance are what a homeowner compares. That says what we hold, not what the province requires: nobody here has checked whether Ontario licenses this work.
