[TITLE: Consumer Protection Ontario Logo. Ontario Logo]
[Richard Hustwick, host, standing in a house next to sheets of drywall - house is in mid-build.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK - Host >> Ontario law requires that any job worth more than $50 must have a written contract.
[Still frame showing a picture of a renovation contract.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> But it's not just the law - a written contract is actually your best protection as a consumer.
[Dramatization of the following information. People working on houses.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> Especially when you're thinking about spending some serious money on something like a renovation project, landscaping, or even paving a driveway - a contract is your first line of defence.
[Still frame showing a renovation contract.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> Here are five benefits a good contract can provide: First, it lets you know precisely who you're dealing with. Use this information to check the contractor's reputation with the municipality (if they are required to register) and on Ontario's online Consumer Beware list, to see if there are any complaints or charges registered against them. Second, it helps you clarify your expectations and reduces the chance of disagreements later. See our video on home renovation estimates for more about this. Third, it specifies when the work will be done. You have the right to cancel if work hasn't started within 30 days of when it was promised in the agreement.
[Shots of a couple looking over their renovation contract.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> If a date wasn't specified, you can cancel within 30 days of entering into the agreement.
[Still frame showing a renovation contract.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> Fourth, it clearly sets out the terms of payment. Remember that you cannot be charged more than 10% above the amount specified in your contract, unless you agree to a change. And you should always hold back some of the payment until all the work is completed. Fifth, it protects you from liability. Without a contract, if a worker is injured on your property, you could find yourself responsible for the worker's medical bills or lost wages.
[Richard Hustwick, host, standing in a house next to sheets of drywall - house is in mid-build.]
RICHARD HUSTWICK >> Be sure to watch our other videos on home improvements and visit our website for lots more information. Know your rights.
[TITLE: Consumer Protection Ontario. URL: Ontario.ca/ConsumerProtection]