Most people start by asking for references and checking Tarion registration. Both are necessary. Neither tells you much about whether this builder is right for your specific project. The questions that do are less about credentials and more about how a builder actually runs their business.
The credential questions — get these out of the way first
Before anything else, confirm the basics: Ontario Building Code compliance, Tarion registration for new builds, WSIB clearance, and adequate general liability insurance. Any reputable builder has these and will provide documentation without being asked twice.
Membership in the Ontario Home Builders’ Association isn’t mandatory, but it signals ongoing engagement with the industry. A builder who invests in staying current tends to build differently than one who doesn’t.
The questions that actually matter
“How many projects are you running at once?” A builder with a handful of active jobs and a full crew is in a very different position than one stretched across many projects with a thin team. Ask who specifically will be on your site, and how often.
“Can I speak to a client from a project that hit problems?” Every builder has had a job with surprises. What matters is how they handled it. A builder who can hand you that reference has nothing to hide.
“How do you handle changes to scope?” Scope changes are inevitable. A builder who gets defensive about the question is usually one who handles them badly in practice.
“What does your draw schedule look like?” Payments should roughly track completed work. A builder asking for large sums well ahead of the work is either cash-poor or running a model that doesn’t serve you.
The check most people skip
Pull the building-permit history for one or two of their completed projects through the municipal building department. You can see whether permits were closed properly, whether there were deficiency orders, and whether the finished work matched what was permitted. It takes very little time and often tells you more than a reference call.
Thinking about a custom build in Burlington or Oakville? Here’s how we approach custom home builds — and if you’d like to put these questions to us directly, start a conversation.
