Renovation Change Orders in Ontario

Start with a detailed original agreement

A change is easier to understand when the starting scope is clear. Keep the accepted description of work, plans, products, allowances, exclusions, schedule, responsibilities, payment terms, permits, cleanup, and warranty information together. Ontario consumer guidance recommends written estimates and contracts with meaningful project details. Project-specific legal rights and obligations can depend on the facts, so obtain qualified advice when needed.

Pause and document discoveries

Renovations can uncover damaged framing, unsafe wiring, moisture, hidden services, unsuitable substrates, or dimensions that differ from assumptions. Photograph the condition and ask what must change, why, what alternatives exist, and whether professional assessment or municipal review is required. Except for immediate safety measures, avoid allowing substantial additional work to proceed on a vague verbal instruction.

Require a complete change description

A useful change record identifies the original item, revised work, reason, added or removed materials, price adjustment, tax, allowance impact, payment timing, schedule impact, permit or inspection implications, and who approved it. It should also state what remains unchanged. Numbered records make later reconciliation easier than scattered text messages.

• Reason and supporting photos or drawings
• Added, removed, and unchanged scope
• Price, tax, allowances, and payment timing
• Schedule and access impact
• Approval date and responsible parties

Keep communication in one traceable place

Use written project communication for selections, substitutions, delivery changes, site instructions, and accepted changes. After a call or site discussion, summarize the decision and request confirmation. Do not send private addresses, entry instructions, payment credentials, or unnecessary personal information through public pages or analytics tools.

Review changes before final payment

Reconcile the original agreement, approved changes, credits, allowances, payments, deficiencies, inspections, product records, and closeout documents. Resolve unexplained differences before treating the project total as final. EZ Clear is a marketplace, not a party to the construction contract, so homeowners and contractors remain responsible for their agreements and applicable requirements.