Give each contractor the same scope
List the rooms, work and materials you expect. Include who removes debris, protects finished areas and handles repairs after demolition. Ask for exclusions in writing. Two quotes can look similar until you see that only one includes disposal or finish work.
Check allowances and responsibilities
An allowance is a budget amount for something that has not been selected yet. Ask which products it covers and whether taxes, delivery and installation are included. Confirm who handles permits and who pays each trade so you can compare the full cost.
Ask how changes will be approved
Agree on how the contractor will document the scope, cost and schedule impact of a proposed change. Ontario’s consumer guidance explains that when an estimate forms part of the contract, the final price generally cannot exceed it by more than 10% unless you agree to new work or a new price.
Keep the signed version
Use Ontario’s renovation guidance to check what belongs in the written contract. Keep the scope, estimate, payment schedule and approved changes together so everyone can refer to the same documents during construction.