How to Hire a Contractor in Edmonton: Quotes, Licences, Insurance and Permits

Whether it’s a new roof, a basement development or a bathroom refresh, the contractor you choose matters more than almost any other decision in the project. A little checking up front can save you a lot of money and stress later. Here’s what to look at before you sign anything.

How many quotes should I get from contractors?

Ask each contractor to visit, look at the job, and give you a written quote. A quote you can compare line by line is far more useful than a number over the phone.

A good quote should spell out:

• The scope of work, in enough detail that you’d notice if something was missing
• Materials, including brands or grades where they matter
• Who handles permits and inspections
• The payment schedule
• An estimated start date and how long the work should take
• How changes to the plan will be priced and approved

If one quote is much lower than the others, find out why. It may leave out something the others include.

Does a contractor need a licence to take a deposit in Alberta?

In Alberta, a contractor who asks for payment before the work is finished generally needs a prepaid contractor licence from the provincial government. You can search for a business on Alberta’s consumer protection licence lookup at alberta.ca. If a contractor wants a deposit but can’t show that licence, treat that as a red flag.

Contractors working in Edmonton also need a City of Edmonton business licence.

What insurance should a contractor have in Alberta?

Ask for proof of:

• Liability insurance, which protects you if the contractor damages your home or a neighbour’s property
• WCB-Alberta coverage, so a worker injured on your property isn’t your financial problem. You can request a clearance letter to confirm a contractor’s account is in good standing at wcb.ab.ca

A reputable contractor won’t mind being asked.

Do I need a permit for my renovation in Edmonton?

Many projects in Edmonton need permits, including most basement developments, additions, decks above a certain height, and a lot of electrical, plumbing and gas work. Permits mean the work gets inspected, which protects you and matters when you sell.

Ask each contractor which permits they’ll pull. If someone suggests skipping permits to save money, keep looking. You can check what your project needs on the City of Edmonton’s website at edmonton.ca.

What should a renovation contract include?

Before work starts, you should have a written contract that matches the quote, including the payment schedule and warranty. Keep the deposit reasonable, and tie later payments to finished stages of work rather than dates on a calendar.

How do I check a contractor’s reviews and references?

Look at the contractor’s recent Google reviews, and ask for two or three references from jobs similar to yours. When you call, ask whether the job finished on time and on budget, and whether they’d hire the contractor again.

Where can I find a good contractor in Edmonton?

You can browse hand-reviewed Edmonton contractors on our directory, filter by category, and check each one’s Google rating. Every listing is reviewed by our team before it goes live.

The same checks apply to smaller jobs and other trades too: handyman services, painters, roofers, electricians and basement development companies.