Numerous Ontario homeowners targets of door-to-door contractor scams — here’s what you need to know to avoid shoddy contractors

This isn’t the first time Ottawa Police have had to issue this warning. In fact, in 2023, construction scams cost Ottawa residents an estimated $250,000 over the course of two weeks.

And it’s not just the country’s capital that is threatened by these scams. CTV News reported that Guelph Police warned their residents of scams in June, when door-to-door driveway pavers were doing below sub-par work — which included tearing up old driveways and leaving the remnants in the road — and charging $3,500 for it before quickly leaving.

With so many shoddy contractor scams walking up and down your street, it’s important to stay informed and protect yourself.

Tips to protect you from unscrupulous contractors

So, what can you do to avoid falling into a similar situation as these Ontario homeowners? Here are five strategies to protect yourself from counterfeit contractors:

1. Check contractor credentials to ensure they hold an active contractor’s license.
2. Get everything in writing, including contracts, time frames, payment schedules and other project details.
3. Never hand over the full amount up front. Break payments into milestones that are tied to progress.
4. Do your research on the company and ask for references. Check if the company has a BBB rating.
5. Keep records and photos to ensure you have evidence should things go wrong.

Where to turn if you’ve been the target of a scam contractor

There are protections and legal options available to you as a consumer at both the provincial and federal levels.

Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is the main legislation that governs most consumer agreements in Ontario, and protects residents from unfair business practices, including false, misleading or deceptive representations by a business or contractor. The CPA gives you the right to sue a contractor in court for failing to comply with the act, particularly for unfair practices.

If you’ve been victimized by a fake contractor or service provider in Ontario or other provinces, these legal options may offer recourse:

• File a small claims suit. Small claims court is a common legal avenue to help consumers resolve contractor disputes, handling claims of up to $35,000 in Ontario or British Columbia, and up to $50,000 in Alberta and other provinces depending on the amounts you claim. You don’t need a lawyer in this court division, so if the amount of money you’re looking to recoup falls under this amount and you’re confident in representing yourself, it could save you additional money for legal costs.
• File a complaint with a provincial agency. Ontario’s Consumer Protection Ontario (CPO), Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur and Alberta’s Service Alberta, to name a few, will receive complaints about scam contractors. While the CPO doesn’t resolve individual disputes, it can investigate and take action against businesses that violate the CPA. This can lead to charges, compliance orders or the company being added to the Consumer Beware List.
• Contact the Competition Bureau Canada. This agency ensures Canadian businesses operate fairly. It has the power to investigate companies that use misleading ads or trick consumers out of their money, and can take scammers to court. This can lead to big fines for the company and sometimes are ordered to repay money they took from customers.
• Contact Consumer Affairs Canada. Its website will help you locate provincial and territorial consumer affairs offices where you live for assistance with any complaints, or to find consumer protection information.
• You can also report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).

Sources

1. CBC: Door-to-door construction scams return to Ottawa this spring by Robyn Miller (May 22, 2025)

2. CTV: Homeowners warned not to hire door-to-door driveway pavers by Jennifer K. Baker (June 11, 2025)