What should a written concrete contract in Ontario include?

A written contract for concrete work in Ontario should cover the scope, the materials, the price, and the legal protections the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 gives you. Here is what to look for before you sign.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 says that a direct agreement, meaning one negotiated or concluded somewhere other than the supplier's place of business, must be in writing, signed by both parties, and delivered to you if it is over $50. You then have 10 days after receiving your copy to cancel without giving a reason. The Act also says that if the agreement includes an estimate, the supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent above it.

The City of Ottawa's hardscaping contractor licence, required for concrete pads, patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls on private property, comes with its own contract requirement: a March 2026 City news release said licensed contractors must provide written contracts and give you a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide. Ask to see the contractor's licence and check the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors yourself; Ottawa Concrete Pros does not verify anyone's licence or insurance.

Beyond those legal minimums, a contract worth signing should spell out:

• the exact scope of work, including dimensions, the finish (broom, exposed aggregate, stamped, colour), and any removal of existing concrete
• the concrete specification, including the compressive strength (the 2024 Ontario Building Code sets 32 MPa for exterior flatwork and garage floors), and the base preparation depth and material
• how cold-weather protection will be handled if the air temperature drops below 5 °C during or after the pour
• who will submit the locate request through Ontario Dig Authority before any digging starts, and when
• how removal and disposal of old concrete will be handled and whether it is included in the price
• the payment schedule and any deposit (we found no statutory cap on deposits)
• the Construction Act holdback: each payer retains 10 per cent of the price of services or materials as they are supplied; get advice for your situation
• the start date, the estimated completion date, and what happens if weather causes a delay
• the contractor's WSIB clearance certificate number, which you can request even though as a homeowner occupying a private residence you are not required to obtain one for home renovation work
• warranty terms, in plain language, for the finished surface

One question worth asking before you sign: if the final cost comes in above the estimate, how will the contractor notify you, and at what point, before that 10 per cent ceiling is reached?