Construction & Renovation:

Question: What can I do if a contractor did incomplete or defective work, or if a property owner won’t pay for completed work, in Ontario?

Answer: In Ontario, these contractor-owner disputes often turn on the contract terms, proof of workmanship versus trade standards, project valuation, and clear documentation of payments, change orders, and deficiencies, so getting early guidance can help you set a strategy and avoid missteps before Small Claims Court or other steps.   Benchmark Legal Offices is a Paralegals and Lawyers’ Office to Serve You, offering practical, cost-conscious support for consumers across Ontario; call (289) 389-8840 to discuss your renovation or construction dispute and next steps.

Common Disputes Affecting Contractors

Court disputes between a property owner and a contractor hired for a construction or renovation project frequently arise.  In some courts, especially the Small Claims Court, cases involving contractors and homeowners are prevalent.  In such cases it is common that a property owner will accuse a contractor of poor quality work; and in turn, the contractor accuses the property owner of failure of payment.

Challenges

Disputes involving construction or renovation projects are often challenging due to the many legal issues that typically apply within the realm of construction law. Common issues may involve the extent of, and quality of, evidence required, such as the need sometimes for an independent witness to inspect and provide a reports as to what workmanship was done correctly and what workmanship was done incorrectly thus whether the required workmanship standards were met. Disputes involving construction or renovation projects are often additionally troublesome as contractors and property owners alike will frequently begin a lawsuit without first obtaining proper legal advice.

Furthermore, lawsuits involving construction or renovation projects commonly include legal issues that go beyond allegations of poor quality of work and also include legal issues such as quantum meruit disputes over the value of partially completed work, consumer rights concerns, mitigation requirements, and much more.