Use the same task list when comparing providers. Ask what is included, what costs extra, who supplies materials, which requirements apply and how changes will be approved. A good fit depends on the project and provider—not on a generic market rate or a fixed checklist score.
aMaximum Handyman Rates
Use the applicable labour schedule when comparing the same scope:
- General handyman work: $160 minimum for the first two hours, then $60 per additional hour.
- Plumbing and electrical handyman work: $300 minimum for the first two hours, then $99 per additional hour.
The customer pays for materials and consumable supplies. If aMaximum purchases them, their cost is charged separately from labour. For details, see the hourly-rate guide and project-pricing guide. A larger or combined scope may be considered for a negotiated project price after it is reviewed and agreed.
Step 1 — Check the Provider's Identity
Confirm the name and contact details of the person or business you are hiring, and make sure they are consistent across the estimate, agreement and invoice. For a registered business, use the relevant government registry where appropriate; not every individual or business will have the same registration type.
A limited website or social-media presence does not prove that a provider is dishonest. Ask questions, compare the details they provide and request references for similar work. Ontario also advises homeowners to search both the business and business operator's names before signing a home-renovation agreement.
Step 2 — Check Applicable Coverage
Ask whether WSIB coverage applies to the provider and the work. Ontario guidance says construction workers and independent operators generally need workplace-safety coverage, with exceptions. Requirements depend on the circumstances, so confirm them with WSIB rather than assuming every handyman job has the same rule.
Step 3 — Ask About Liability Insurance
Ask what liability insurance the provider carries and request current evidence of coverage. Check the named business, policy period and work description, and contact the insurer or broker if anything is unclear. The appropriate coverage depends on the provider and project; do not rely on a generic dollar amount as a universal requirement.
Step 4 — Verify Trade and Permit Requirements
For paid residential electrical work in Ontario, check the business's ECRA/ESA licence as a Licensed Electrical Contractor. An individual electrician's or Master Electrician's credentials do not authorize that person to offer work independently. Confirm who will contract for the work and handle applicable ESA notifications.
Whether work requires a qualified trade, registration, permit or inspection depends on the task and location. Describe the exact work to the provider and check current requirements with the relevant regulator or municipality. Do not rely on a blanket claim that all work in a category is either allowed or permit-free.
Ontario recommends asking whether tradespeople have certification from Skilled Trades Ontario and checking with your city or town about building permits for major projects. For electrical or fuel-related work, consult the appropriate safety authority before proceeding.
Step 5 — Agree on Scope and Price in Writing
Before work starts, write down the tasks, what is included and excluded, the labour or pricing method, materials, payment schedule, expected timing and how changes will be approved. Clear written terms help both sides understand what was agreed; legal rights depend on the circumstances and applicable law.
For aMaximum handyman work, general labour has a $160 minimum for the first two hours, then $60 per additional hour. Plumbing and electrical handyman work has a $300 minimum for the first two hours, then $99 per additional hour. Materials and consumable supplies are paid separately by the customer. See the hourly-rate guide and project-pricing guide for more detail.
Step 6 — Review Feedback in Context
Read several reviews, including critical ones, and look for concrete details about work similar to yours, communication and how issues were addressed. A rating, review count or posting pattern alone does not establish whether a provider is suitable. Check more than one source when available and treat testimonials as one part of your assessment.
Step 7 — Ask for Relevant References
Ask for references from customers whose work resembles your project, and contact them if they agree to be a reference. Useful questions include whether the agreed scope was clear, how schedule changes were communicated, how extra work was approved and whether the final paperwork matched what they expected.
Step 8 — Review the Deposit and Payment Schedule
Ontario's homeowner guidance recommends keeping down-payments to a minimum—no more than 10%—and not paying the full contract amount before the work is done. Review that current guidance alongside the terms and circumstances of your project; do not treat an online percentage as a substitute for reviewing the agreement.
For a larger project, put progress payments and the work they correspond to in writing. Confirm what happens if the schedule, scope or materials change before making a payment.
Step 9 — Keep the Agreement and Records
Keep a copy of the agreed scope, pricing, materials, payment schedule, timing and process for approving changes. Save estimates, signed terms, messages, invoices and receipts. For larger renovations, Ontario recommends getting written estimates from multiple contractors and reviewing consumer guidance before signing.
When to Ask a Qualified Trade or General Contractor
If the task may be regulated, needs a permit or inspection, or depends on specialist diagnosis, confirm the requirements with the relevant authority and provider before booking. If a project includes several phases or trades, compare whether you need broader coordination with a general contractor. The right choice depends on the exact work, not only the project label.
Official guidance
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