Free Legal Tool
Contractor didn't finish the job, or the work was defective? Estimate your Small Claims Court damages, up to Ontario's $50,000 limit.
Estimate only — not legal advice. Actual damages depend on your contract and evidence.If an Ontario contractor did deficient or incomplete work, or took a deposit and did not perform, you can sue for damages in Small Claims Court for up to $50,000. The usual measure of your loss is the reasonable cost to repair or complete the work properly, plus any related damage. A written estimate from a second qualified contractor is the strongest evidence of that amount. Claims must generally be started within 2 years of discovering the problem.
A written quote from another contractor to finish or fix the work is strong evidence of your damages in court.
Photos, the original contract, invoices, and written communication with the contractor all strengthen your claim.
Home renovation contracts may fall under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, which can provide additional remedies including cancellation rights.
Ontario Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $50,000. Larger renovation disputes require Superior Court civil litigation.
Yes, if your claim is $50,000 or less. Disputes over deficient work, incomplete jobs, or overcharging are commonly resolved in Small Claims Court. Larger claims go to the Superior Court of Justice.
A common measure is the cost to complete or repair the work properly, plus any amount you overpaid relative to the value actually delivered. This calculator estimates that shortfall from the figures you enter.
Keep your written contract or quote, invoices and proof of payment, photos of the deficient work, and a second contractor's estimate to fix or finish the job. This documentation is what wins contractor cases.
Generally 2 years from the day you knew — or reasonably should have known — about the deficient or incomplete work, under the basic limitation period in the Limitations Act, 2002. With defects that only appear later, the clock can start when the problem reasonably became apparent, but it is safest to act promptly.
Usually yes. The reasonable cost to complete or repair defective work is a standard measure of damages in a contractor dispute. A written estimate or invoice from a second qualified contractor is strong evidence of that amount.
Yes. An oral agreement is still a binding contract in Ontario — it is just harder to prove. Emails, texts, the original quote, invoices, e-transfer or cheque records, and photos of the work can all help establish what was agreed and what went wrong.
If a contractor accepted a deposit and then failed to start or perform the work, you can generally claim the return of your deposit plus any additional loss you suffered — for example, the extra cost of hiring someone else. Keep the payment record and any communications showing they abandoned the job.
You may be entitled to withhold an amount reasonably related to the cost of fixing defective or incomplete work, but withholding more than that can put you in breach. Document the deficiencies and the reasonable cost to correct them, and get advice before refusing to pay a large balance.
A construction (formerly mechanics') lien is a remedy under the Construction Act that a contractor or supplier can register against a property for unpaid work, with strict, short deadlines. It is separate from a Small Claims Court action for damages. If a lien is involved, get advice quickly because the timelines are tight.
Yes. If a contractor's work damaged other parts of your home — flooding, broken fixtures, damaged landscaping — the reasonable cost to repair that damage can be included in your claim, on top of the cost to complete or fix the contracted work itself.
Working without a required licence, permit, or inspection can support your claim and may affect the contractor's ability to enforce their own invoice. It does not automatically win your case, but it is relevant evidence of substandard or improper work, especially where a permit was legally required.
It is usually wise to. Sending a written notice describing the deficiencies and giving a reasonable opportunity to repair strengthens your position and shows the court you acted reasonably. If they refuse or fail to fix it, that notice becomes useful evidence in your claim.
The strongest evidence is a written estimate or invoice from a qualified second contractor for the cost to repair or complete the work properly. Photos, the original contract, and — in larger cases — a report from a building inspector or engineer can further support the amount you are claiming.
For a straightforward claim you can proceed yourself, but contractor disputes often turn on technical evidence and competing estimates. A licensed paralegal or lawyer can help quantify your loss, organize your evidence, and present it effectively — especially where the amount is significant. We offer a free consultation.
Yes. Pre-judgment interest generally runs from the date your loss arose to the date of judgment, and post-judgment interest runs until the amount is paid, both under the Courts of Justice Act. This is on top of the principal you claim, so a well-documented claim can recover more than just the repair cost.
Free to use on your own website or blog — just copy the code below. Includes attribution back to Legal Solutions Law Firm.
<iframe src="https://legalsolutionslawfirm.ca/contractor-dispute-calculator?embed=1" style="width:100%;max-width:480px;border:0;min-height:680px;" title="Contractor Dispute Calculator" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font:12px/1.4 -apple-system,sans-serif;text-align:center;margin:6px 0 0;">
<a href="https://legalsolutionslawfirm.ca/contractor-dispute-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Powered by Legal Solutions Law Firm</a>
</p>Our paralegals and lawyers help homeowners recover money from contractors who didn't finish the job or did it badly. Get a free consultation.
Schedule your free consultation. We help homeowners recover money from contractors across Toronto and the GTA.
A calculator is a starting point — for advice on your specific situation, speak with an experienced Ontario lawyer. Free consultation.