Question 1

Red flags in a fence contract in Barrhaven?

Accepted Answer

A fence contract that leaves out the written scope, the price breakdown, or the start and finish dates is the first thing to look at carefully. Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, 2002 requires any direct agreement over $50 to be in writing and delivered to you, and gives you 10 days to cancel after you receive that written copy. If an estimate is included, the supplier cannot charge more than 10 per cent above it.

Question 2

Who checks the property line before an Ottawa fence goes in?

Accepted Answer

We found no rule that makes a fence installer confirm your property line, so plan on checking it yourself before the posts go in. A fence contractor can help position the fence, but only an Ontario Land Surveyor can certify where a boundary actually falls. That comes from the Surveyors Act and the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. A fence installer cannot make that determination.

Question 3

Fence company asking me to get the locate in Gloucester?

Accepted Answer

Under Ontario's Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, whoever digs is the excavator, and the excavator is responsible for the locate request before any ground is broken. On a hired job, that is the contractor. On a do-it-yourself job, that is the homeowner. If the company is asking you to submit it, ask them why, and get in writing who submits the request and who waits for the response before digging.

Question 4

Do Ottawa fence companies need insurance?

Accepted Answer

We found no City of Ottawa or Ontario rule that requires fence installers to carry liability insurance for fence work. Ottawa does not license fence contractors: the City's hardscaping contractor licence, which has its own insurance condition, specifically does not apply to installing fences. We also found no Ontario licence, registration or trade certificate for fence installation. That said, WSIB coverage is a separate matter.

Hiring & Quotes

Red flags in a fence contract in Barrhaven?

Who checks the property line before an Ottawa fence goes in?

Fence company asking me to get the locate in Gloucester?

Do Ottawa fence companies need insurance?