How to find a reliable contractor for repairs?

Choosing the right contractor is an important step when renovating your property. You need to be careful, do your homework, and have a high level of trust in the professional you decide to hire. Hiring the right construction company isn't just about skill; it's about trust, transparency, and teamwork. By avoiding common mistakes, you'll save time, money, and stress.

Contractors who request advance payments or progress payments must be licensed by the Alberta government as a prepaid contractor. You can verify this by contacting the Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088 or visiting Service Alberta.

Checking licenses and certifications

Licensing requirements in Calgary

Contractors are required to have a valid City of Calgary business license, and the city has the authority to suspend or revoke that license during a license review hearing. Contractors who hold a business license have met the city's licensing requirements and are authorized to operate their business in Calgary. Without a valid business license, contractors cannot obtain the necessary permits for construction and trade.

Contracting businesses that require a license include:

  • Builders
  • General contractors
  • Handyman services
  • Landscape designers (e.g., retaining walls, decks, arbors, mounds, raised beds, sprinkler systems, walkways, patios, or sidewalks, or tree planting/removal)
  • Specialized trade contractors, such as carpenters, electricians, gas fitters, plumbers, framers, and welders
  • Excavation services and heavy equipment operators

Provincial building licenses

All residential builders in Alberta must be licensed to obtain permits to build new homes. When applying for a permit to build a new home, the builder must submit a Certificate of License (builder's license) and an Approved New Home Registration for the new home to the permitting agency.

Licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance, unless otherwise specified by the Registrar. Builder licenses are not transferable. If a residential builder creates separate legal entities, such as shell companies, each of these companies requires its own builder license.

Verification Tools

Use our tool to find or verify a licensed trade contractor. Always ask for confirmation of the contractor's license. Then verify it with the appropriate local authority. Verification is important. Here's a breakdown of how to check a contractor's license: Provincial/territorial regulations - Licensing is regulated at the provincial/territorial level.

Insurance and bonding

Required insurance coverage

There are provincial requirements for contractors regarding licensing, workers' compensation, and things like liability insurance. If a contractor is reluctant to provide proof of any of the above, that should raise a red flag. Without proper liability insurance, an accident in your home during a project could leave you liable for a lawsuit.

In Alberta, commercial contractors are required to have specific licenses, Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage, and liability insurance. These aren't just bureaucratic hurdles. They protect you from lawsuits, project delays, and financial losses if something goes wrong.

Surety bonds

A surety bond is a financial guarantee that provides assurance to a creditor in the event that a contractor fails to fulfill its contractual or legal obligations. When your Calgary business has a surety bond, it shows that you are committed to fulfilling your contractual obligations. A surety bond also assures the client that the work will be completed.

Surety bonds are commonly used in the construction industry to ensure that a project is completed according to the terms agreed upon in a construction contract. However, they are also commonly used in industries such as real estate, auto dealerships, and even finance to provide a guarantee of performance or protection against financial loss.

Red flags to avoid

Suspicious offers and tactics

Offers you a cash deal. By offering a deal if you pay cash, the contractor is implying that they will not report the income and may pass some of the tax savings on to you, the customer. However, no paperwork also means “no contract, no checks, no permits, and no inspections.”

“Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” It may be true that the contractor knocking on your door is roofing down the street and wants to see if you would like to have the worn shingles on your own home replaced. They may also be taking advantage of some people's unwillingness to spend time properly researching and selecting a repair person. The convenient choice is rarely the best choice.

Suspiciously low offers or pressure to sign quickly. Budget-conscious decisions are smart. But if an offer is significantly lower than the competition, it should raise red flags. Often, these low offers mean that something is missing. It could be quality materials, experienced labor, or proper permits.

Lack of proper qualifications

No license or insurance. Working with an unlicensed or uninsured contractor is a big risk. Vague or missing license numbers, inability to provide proof of insurance, no mention of safety protocols or COR certification are red flags.

No reputation or inconsistent portfolio. Experience in commercial construction is essential. Every project requires coordination between architects, engineers, suppliers, and inspectors. An inexperienced contractor may struggle to manage this complexity.

Poor communication and uncertainty

Poor communication and vague project details. Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful commercial construction projects. If a contractor cannot clearly explain timelines, costs, or deliverables, you are opening the door to serious problems.

Warning signs include:

  • Delayed responses to emails or phone calls
  • Lack of a written project schedule or scope of work
  • Evasive answers during the planning phase

Research and evaluate potential contractors

Use online resources

HomeStars offers ratings and reviews for contractors in Calgary. The platform shows 5-star ratings, number of reviews, and specializations for different contractors. For example, Mega Roofing & Exteriors Inc has a rating of 4.9/5 from 195 reviews and has received the “Best of the Best 2025” and “Best of 2025” awards.

Houzz is another valuable resource that lists 1,051 home repair contractors in Calgary with detailed profiles, project portfolios, and customer reviews. The platform allows you to view contractors' previous work and read reviews from previous customers.

Professional recommendations

RenovationFind has compiled a list of the 20 best renovation contractors in Calgary based on the quality of their craftsmanship, innovative designs, and outstanding customer service. These rankings include detailed information about each company's services, hours of operation, contact information, and customer reviews.

Reddit users actively discuss contractor recommendations, although they note that traditional review aggregator sites such as HomeStars have become less reliable for comparing companies. This highlights the importance of obtaining multiple sources of information when researching contractors.

The process of obtaining and evaluating quotes

Obtaining multiple quotes

Always obtain multiple quotes from licensed contractors. Costs vary depending on the scope of the project, the contractor's experience, and regional factors. This allows you to compare not only prices, but also approaches, timelines, and included services.

When comparing proposals, pay attention to:

  • Detailed breakdown of materials and labor
  • Clear project timelines and milestones
  • Warranty terms
  • Order change policy
  • Payment methods and schedules

Evaluating the quality of proposals

Established commercial contractors build trust through fair, competitive pricing. This pricing reflects the actual costs of the project. In addition, savings on short-term costs can cost you much more in the long run.

Solid Solutions offers unique quoting software that quotes based on actual materials, providing you with a detailed, line-item proposal as quickly as possible. This type of transparency is a sign of a professional operation.

Reference and Previous Work Check

Contact previous clients

Always ask for and contact several recent clients. Ask about the quality of the work, timeliness, communication, and overall satisfaction with the project. Reputable contractors are happy to provide these references and may even offer to show you completed projects.

Key questions for previous clients include:

  • Was the project completed on time and within budget?
  • How did the contractor handle unexpected problems?
  • Was communication clear and consistent?
  • Would you recommend this contractor again?
  • Were there any issues after the project was completed?

Review the project portfolio

Statera Contracting has over 20 years in business and is built on a unique approach to the renovation process. Companies with a long history and consistent portfolios demonstrate stability and reliability.

When reviewing a portfolio, look for:

  • Projects similar to yours in size and complexity
  • Quality of workmanship and attention to detail
  • Variety of styles and approaches
  • Before and after photos to showcase transformations

Understanding contracts and terms

Key elements of a contract

Contractor contracts in Alberta play an important role in establishing clear expectations and protecting the rights of both contractors and clients. These legal documents define the scope of work, payment terms, project duration, and other provisions specific to the agreement.

The contract should clearly define the services to be provided by the contractor, including a detailed description of the tasks, deliverables, and any performance standards. To avoid any ambiguity and protect yourself from any misunderstandings or legal action, seek the assistance and guidance of one of DLegal's employment lawyers.

Payment terms and protection

Never pay the full amount up front. National Star Roofing states that “no payment is required until the work is completed to the satisfaction of the owner.” This is standard practice among reputable contractors.

Typical payment schedules include:

  • A small deposit to get started (usually 10-20%)
  • Milestone payments based on completed stages
  • Final payment upon completion and satisfaction
  • Retention of a certain percentage until the warranty period expires

Project management and communication

Setting clear expectations

The best commercial construction firms set clear expectations from the outset. BelVan, for example, integrates project management and coordination with clients through every phase. This ensures that nothing is left open to interpretation.

A strong contractor will offer:

  • Detailed estimates
  • Regular updates
  • Project milestones you can track
  • Clear communication channels
  • Written change protocols

Project management systems

Commercial projects require structure. Without a clear work process — including planning, risk assessment, and quality control — a construction site can turn into chaos. BelVan Construction excels at professionally managed commercial construction projects. Their design-build process combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof.

Warranties and post-project support

Understanding warranty coverage

Reborn Renovations offers a 2-year warranty on all projects. The company states, “We stand behind our work and offer a 2-year warranty on all projects.” Redwood Renovations & Design Inc provides a 10-year design-build warranty, demonstrating an exceptional level of confidence in their work.

Typical warranty periods include:

  • 1-2 years on general repairs
  • 5-10 years on structural elements
  • Manufacturer warranties on appliances and fixtures
  • Extended warranties for premium materials

Post-project service

Professional contractors remain available after project completion to address any issues or questions. This includes responding to warranty claims, providing maintenance recommendations, and assisting with future projects.

Special considerations for different types of projects

Kitchens and bathrooms

Talee Renovations Inc specializes as a “Calgary Kitchen and Bathroom Renovator” and is a winner of “Best of Houzz 2014-2024.” Specialized contractors often have better results for specific types of projects due to their in-depth experience and established relationships with suppliers.

Basements and Additions

Remarkable Projects, based in the Calgary area, specializes in quality basement development and home improvement services. Kos Builders Ltd has 17 years of home improvement experience and specializes in basement development and all renovations in Calgary.

Exterior Projects

Mega Roofing & Exteriors Inc offers a wide range of high-quality exterior services throughout southern Alberta, specializing in all roofing applications, exterior siding (including vinyl and cement board), soffits/fascia, and both 5“ and 6” gutters.

Legal Considerations and Consumer Protection

Dispute Resolution

Working without permits can also complicate the future sale of your property, as potential buyers and mortgage lenders often require proof that all work was done legally. This highlights the importance of hiring properly licensed contractors who adhere to all applicable regulations.

Mediation and legal assistance

HMC Lawyers has been advising and representing clients in the construction industry for decades and has learned that forward-thinking, proactive advice can help project parties avoid risk, delays, and costly business losses. They provide construction clients, including contractors, developers, and owners, with insightful information and strategic advice on surety and performance guarantees.

Finding a reliable contractor for your Calgary renovation requires careful research, proper vetting, and a clear understanding of your rights and responsibilities. Start by checking licenses and insurance, get several quotes from qualified contractors, and thoroughly check references. Avoid red flags such as cash-only offers, pressure to sign quickly, or suspiciously low bids. Professional contractors with established reputations, proper insurance, and transparent business practices will ensure the best results for your renovation project. Remember, the cheapest quote is rarely the best value — invest in quality and professionalism to protect your home and your budget in the long run.