Should my Ottawa tile contractor carry liability insurance and what minimum amount is standard?

Your Ottawa tile contractor should absolutely carry general liability insurance, and the industry standard minimum in the Ottawa renovation market is $2 million in coverage. Many established tile contractors carry $5 million, and some commercial projects require even higher limits. This is not an excessive ask — it is a basic marker of a legitimate, professional operation.

General liability insurance protects you, the homeowner, if your contractor accidentally causes damage to your property during the tile renovation. And the potential for accidental damage during tile work is real and significant. A tile installer cutting into a wall to install cement board could nick a water supply line, flooding the room and potentially the floor below. Demolition of old tile can crack a drain pipe hidden behind the wall. A wet saw used inside can splash water onto hardwood floors in an adjacent room. Heavy porcelain slabs can slip during handling and damage countertops, cabinets, or fixtures. These are not far-fetched scenarios — they are the kinds of incidents that happen periodically even to experienced professionals, and a single water damage incident can easily cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more to remediate.

Without liability insurance, the contractor's promise to "make it right" is only as good as their personal finances. A small tile operation without insurance that causes significant water damage may simply not have the resources to pay for remediation, leaving you to cover the cost through your own homeowner's insurance — which may increase your premiums and involves paying your deductible for damage you did not cause.

Here is how to verify insurance coverage properly. Ask your tile contractor for a certificate of insurance (COI) issued by their insurance provider. This document confirms the policy is active, lists the coverage amount, and shows thhe policy expiry date. Do not accept a verbal assurance or a photocopy of a policy that may be expired — a current COI is the standard. You can call the insurance company listed on the certificate to confirm it is valid if you want extra assurance.

Beyond liability insurance, confirm your contractor also carries WSIB coverage (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board), which protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your property. In Ontario, contractors with employees must carry WSIB — ask for a current WSIB clearance certificate.

Some Ottawa homeowners wonder whether their own homeowner's insurance covers contractor-caused damage. It may, but filing a claim on your own policy for someone else's mistake increases your claims history and can raise your premiums. The contractor's liability insurance exists precisely so that their policy — not yours — covers their mistakes.

The cost of liability insurance is a normal business overhead for professional tile contractors in Ottawa. It typically adds a modest amount to their operating costs, which is reflected in their pricing. If a contractor's quote is dramatically lower than competitors, one reason may be that they are not carrying insurance — and that "savings" evaporates the moment something goes wrong.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• JC Carpentry
• Jaiko Cleaning Services
• Transitions Renovations
• M.O.T. CONSTRUCTION INC.