How to Hire a Foundation Repair Contractor in Ontario

Step 1: Get a Structural Engineer Assessment First

For anything beyond a simple hairline shrinkage crack, engage a structural engineer (P.Eng., licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario) for an independent assessment before getting contractor quotes. The engineer works for you — not the contractor — and gives you:

• An accurate diagnosis of the cause and severity
• A defined scope of repair (what actually needs to be done, not what a contractor wants to sell)
• A basis for comparing quotes on equal footing
• Drawings suitable for permit submission, if required

The cost of an engineer assessment ($500–$2,000) is a fraction of what a misdiagnosed or unnecessary repair can cost. It's worth every cent for bowing walls, settlement, or any crack that may have a structural cause.

Step 2: Get Three Quotes Based on the Same Scope

Get at least three contractor quotes. If you have a structural engineer's report, require all contractors to quote against that same scope — this makes comparison meaningful and prevents each contractor from redefining the problem to suit their preferred method. Without a report, quotes may reflect three different proposed solutions to three different assessments of your problem.

Step 3: Verify WSIB Clearance and Liability Insurance

Foundation work involves significant physical risk: excavation, confined-space work, heavy equipment. Before anyone starts, confirm:

• Active WSIB clearance — verify online at wsib.ca using the contractor's account number. A clearance that was valid last month may have lapsed.
• General liability insurance certificate — minimum $2 million for residential structural work. Ask for a certificate naming you as additionally insured for the duration of the project.

Without these, a workplace injury can expose you to significant personal liability.

Step 4: Ask About Warranty on Their Specific Repair Method

Ask specifically what the contractor warranties, for how long, and what voids the warranty. Typical expectations:

• Crack injection: 5–10 year warranty against re-leakage from the same crack
• Carbon fibre straps: 25 year or lifetime materials warranty from reputable manufacturers (ForceField, StrongHold, etc.)
• Wall anchors: Lifetime on hardware from quality systems
• Underpinning and piering: Warranty terms vary — ask specifically

A contractor who can't or won't warranty their foundation repair work is a contractor to avoid.

Step 5: Confirm the Permit Process

Structural foundation repair requires a building permit in Ontario. Ask these questions before signing:

• Is a building permit required for this scope of work?
• Who is responsible for obtaining the permit? (The contractor should pull it.)
• When will the permit be obtained? (Before work begins — not after.)
• Will you receive copies of the permit and inspection sign-offs?

Put the permit responsibility in writing in the contract. Unpermitted structural work creates problems when you sell.

Step 6: Ask About Monitoring for Bowing Walls

If the repair involves a bowing or deflecting foundation wall, ask whether the contractor will document the current deflection precisely — both measurements and photographs — and whether the repair method allows future adjustment. Wall anchor systems can be tightened periodically to gradually straighten walls; carbon fibre straps hold position but cannot be adjusted. If the wall is salvageable with gradual correction, anchors may be worth the extra cost over straps.

Step 7: Get Photos of Existing Condition Before Work Begins

Before any contractor starts, photograph and document every crack, stain, bowing measurement, and area of concern thoroughly. Date the photos. This documentation protects you if there is ever a dispute about what was pre-existing versus caused or aggravated by the work performed. Ask whether your contractor also documents the baseline condition as part of their process — quality contractors do this routinely.