Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

By The Richards Group

There's something particular about homes in The Beaches. The character. The bones. The way a century-old staircase catches the afternoon light just so, or a bay window frames the street like a painting you never get tired of. These homes deserve care. Thoughtful, skilled, intentional care.

Renovation season comes for most of us eventually. A kitchen that no longer fits how you cook. A bathroom that's earned its retirement. A basement that could be so much more. And when it does, the most important decision you'll make isn't which tiles to choose — it's who you trust to do the work.

Here's how we think about it.

The Beaches is a neighbourhood built on community. Use it. Ask your neighbours who renovated their porch. Ask your friends who finally tackled that main-floor reno. Real referrals carry real weight — and in a tight-knit area like this, a contractor's reputation tends to precede them.

Online reviews matter too, but nothing replaces a conversation with someone who's actually lived through the process.

Don't settle on the first name you find. Meet with at least three. Notice how they listen. Notice whether they ask questions about how you actually live in your space — or whether they're already mentally measuring for demo day before you've finished your sentence.

The right contractor isn't just skilled. They're curious. They want to understand what this home means to you.

In Ontario, general contractors aren't required to hold a provincial licence — but that doesn't mean credentials don't matter. Look for membership in the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) or the RenoMark™ program, which holds members to a strict code of conduct. Ask for proof of WSIB coverage and general liability insurance. These aren't formalities. They're protection — for your home and for you.

A handshake is not a contract. A detailed written agreement should include:

In older homes like those throughout The Beaches, surprises happen. Lead pipes. Knob-and-tube wiring. The unexpected cavity behind a wall. A good contract anticipates the unexpected — and protects both parties when it arrives.

A reputable remodeling contractor in The Beaches, Toronto, will not ask for full payment upfront. A reasonable deposit — typically 10–20% — is standard. From there, payments should be tied to completed milestones, not arbitrary dates.

If a contractor pressures you to pay the full amount before work begins, treat it as a signal.

Ask for references from projects similar to yours in scope and style. Then call them. Ask whether the project came in on time, on budget. Ask how the contractor handled problems when they arose. Ask whether they'd hire them again.

The answers will tell you everything.

In Toronto, many renovation projects require permits — structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, additions. A contractor who suggests skipping permits isn't saving you money. They're creating risk. Unpermitted work can complicate future sales, void insurance coverage, and create costly remediation down the line.

Ask upfront: who pulls the permits? The answer should be your contractor.

After the interviews, the reference checks, the quote comparisons — trust what you feel. Does this person take pride in their craft? Do they communicate clearly? Are they on time for meetings?

The renovation process is intimate. This person will be in your home, often for weeks. Choose someone whose presence feels right — someone you'd trust with the place that matters most.

We've seen it firsthand in The Beaches: the homes that hold their value, the ones that feel truly considered, are the ones where owners invested not just in materials, but in the right hands to shape them. A well-chosen contractor doesn't just renovate a space. They honour it.

When the work is done and the dust has settled, you'll know whether you made the right call. The home will tell you.

The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark — East Toronto's #1 Real Estate Brokerage. For more on living and investing in The Beaches, visit therichardsgroup.ca.