What warranty do renovation contractors in Ottawa typically provide?

Understanding Renovation Warranties in Ottawa

Most reputable renovation contractors in Ottawa provide a standard 1-year warranty on workmanship, though warranty terms can vary significantly between contractors and project types. At Justyn Rook Contracting, we stand behind our work with comprehensive warranty coverage because quality renovations should give you peace of mind, not ongoing headaches.

Standard Warranty Coverage in Ottawa

The typical renovation warranty in Ottawa covers workmanship defects for 12 months from project completion. This means if something fails due to improper installation or construction methods, the contractor will return to fix it at no charge. However, this doesn't cover normal wear and tear, homeowner damage, or issues with materials that have their own manufacturer warranties.

Material warranties are separate and typically much longer - your new kitchen cabinets might have a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer, while your bathroom fixtures could be covered for 5-10 years. A good contractor will help you understand and register these warranties, and may even coordinate warranty claims on your behalf during the first year.

What Should Be Included

A comprehensive renovation warranty should cover:

• Structural work (framing, foundations, load-bearing modifications)


• Plumbing and electrical rough-in (though final connections may have shorter coverage)


• Drywall, tiling, and finishing work


• Cabinet installation and trim work


• Waterproofing in bathrooms and basements

For secondary dwelling units and basement renovations - our specialty areas - warranty coverage becomes especially important given the complexity of building code compliance, moisture management, and mechanical systems integration.

Ottawa-Specific Considerations

In Ontario, the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act doesn't typically apply to renovations, but some contractors voluntarily participate in warranty programs. More importantly, permitted work inspected by the City of Ottawa provides an additional layer of protection - if work passes city inspection, it generally meets or exceeds code requirements.

Climate factors make warranties crucial in Ottawa. Our freeze-thaw cycles can reveal installation issues that might not appear immediately. Foundation work, exterior connections, and plumbing installations need time to prove themselves through a full seasonal cycle.

Red Flags to Avoid

Be cautious of contractors offering unusually long warranties (5+ years on workmanship) - they may be compensating for poor initial quality. Conversely, contractors offering no warranty or less than 6 months coverage should be avoided entirely. Always get warranty terms in writing as part of your contract.

Some contractors try to limit warranty coverage to "major defects only" or exclude normal settling. A quality contractor should warranty all their workmanship, understanding that small issues caught early prevent major problems later.

Making Warranty Claims

The best warranty is one you never need to use, but when issues arise, document everything with photos and contact your contractor promptly. Reputable contractors will respond quickly to warranty calls - it's far less expensive to fix small issues immediately than deal with larger problems later.

For peace of mind on your renovation project, ensure your contractor is WSIB insured and provides clear warranty terms in writing. Want to discuss warranty coverage for your specific project? We offer free consultations to review your renovation needs and explain exactly what our warranty covers.