Survey reveals poor research before hiring renovators

TORONTO — A recent survey of Canadian contractors has revealed almost 70 per cent of them feel homeowners do not do enough research before hiring a home renovator.

The survey, from TrustedPros Inc., indicated the majority of respondents – 60 per cent – say under five per cent of their clients actually ask to see their credentials, a Dec. 14 statement said. Fewer than five per cent of respondents say their clients always ask to see these credentials.

TrustedPros anonymously surveyed 395 Canadian contractors who use the platform.

Other results from the 2017 Home Renovation Due Diligence Survey reveal:

• 69.6 per cent of contractors report their clients don’t ask to see their trade licenses. Of these respondents, 20.3 per cent work in compulsory trades;
• 40 per cent say their clients never mention vetting their contractor’s trade license;
• 71.4 per cent of contractors say their clients haven’t asked to see their business license;
• 86.1 per cent say their clients never mention verifying their license with the municipality;
• 68.1 per cent of respondents report their clients ask to see their liability insurance; and
• 71.9 per cent say their clients don’t tell them they’ve verified their liability insurance.

The data suggests homeowners may not be performing enough research before hiring a contractor, the statement said.