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General Contractors

Can a contractor charge more than the estimate?

Researched by the LokalMatch editorial team1 answer

I got a written estimate before the work started and the final invoice came in well above it. I never signed anything else.

Answers (1)

  1. LokalMatch EditorialLokalMatch editorial

    Not by more than 10 per cent, if you are in Ontario and the estimate was part of your contract. The Consumer Protection Act caps the final price for all the goods and services at 10 per cent over the estimate. The only way past that cap is work you actually agreed to on top of the original job.

    Two things decide whether it protects you. The estimate has to be in the contract — not said on the phone, not written on the back of a card. And extras only count if you agreed to them, so a contractor deciding on their own that the job turned out bigger is not a change you have to pay for.

    If you are billed more than 10 per cent over anyway, Ontario says you can demand the price be brought back in line. If the business refuses, the complaint goes to the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

Answers come from pros and are reviewed by LokalMatch before they’re published. They’re general information — for regulated or safety-critical work, have a licensed professional assess your situation.

Sources

Where the facts on this page come from.

  1. Your rights when starting home renovations or repairs — Government of Ontario (accessed September 21, 2026)

  2. Guide for home renovation and roofing businesses — Government of Ontario (accessed September 21, 2026)