Are post-construction cleaning companies in Ottawa insured and WSIB covered?

Some post-construction cleaning companies in Ottawa carry liability insurance and WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) coverage and some may not — there is no way to know for a given company without asking. Checking is up to you as the homeowner before you hire anyone, because a post-construction clean involves real risk to your new finishes and to the people doing the work.

What to Ask About Insurance and WSIB

WSIB is Ontario's workplace injury insurance system. Post-construction cleaning is not a low-risk activity: it can involve ladders, extension tools, heavy equipment like floor scrubbers, chemical products including solvents and degreasers, and rooms still full of construction dust and debris. Ask every cleaning company you are considering whether they have WSIB coverage or a clearance certificate, and ask to see it in writing rather than accepting a verbal yes. If a company hesitates to show you paperwork, take that into account when you compare quotes.

If you have questions about your own position when a worker is hurt on your property, contact WSIB directly rather than relying on a contractor's explanation.

Next, ask the cleaning company for proof of liability insurance and what it covers. This is what pays if the crew damages your property during the job. Scratching new hardwood floors with grit trapped in cleaning pads, using the wrong chemical on a natural stone countertop, cracking a new window with pressure washing equipment, or dragging heavy equipment across tile and leaving marks are all real possibilities. Repairing or replacing damaged finishes in a new home can be expensive.

Ask for a certificate of insurance that shows the policy is current and lists what it covers, and ask whether the company can name you on it for the duration of the project. Check with your own home insurer as well about what your policy covers when contractors work in your home. If the cleanup could involve hazardous materials, such as dust from suspected asbestos or lead paint in an older home, stop and have it tested first — suspected asbestos is a job for an abatement contractor, not a cleaning crew.

The bottom line is to treat insurance and WSIB questions as part of every hire. A lower quote from a company that cannot show you its paperwork may not be a saving if something goes wrong. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com is a helpful resource for finding and comparing cleaning companies that serve your neighbourhood — the directory does not check insurance or WSIB status, so ask each company for proof yourself.

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

• 613Bins
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Ottawa Caulking
• Humble Homes - property maintenance
• Capital City Drywall