The short answer
Read their Google reviews for details, named crew members, how the site was left each evening, how problems were handled. Then check WSIB and liability insurance with certificates, demand a written itemized scope with diagnosis before pricing, and ask to see documented past jobs, photos with the method, not just an after-shot. The single best filter: a contractor willing to tell you what does not need doing. Avoid cash deals, verbal quotes and anyone who prices a repair from the sidewalk.
Insurance and coverage: verify it
Ask for proof of WSIB coverage and liability insurance, and ask for it in writing before work begins. A contractor who cannot produce certificates is a risk you inherit if someone is hurt or something is damaged on your property. This is non-negotiable and easy to confirm.
A written scope beats a verbal promise
A trustworthy contractor puts the plan on paper: what they will do, the materials, the warranty terms, and the price, before starting. Vague verbal quotes are where scope creep and surprise invoices live. If the diagnosis and scope are not written down, there is nothing to hold anyone to.
Be wary of anyone who prices your job over the phone. Concrete that looks identically bad can need very different work; a real number comes from looking at it.
Diagnosis, honesty and documentation
Good contractors diagnose before they price, checking damage depth, whether steel is involved, whether the slab has moved, and where the water is coming from. They will also tell you when repair beats replacement, even though replacement is the bigger sale. And the best leave you with documentation: photos, materials and warranty in writing, so you have proof of what was done for resale, insurance or the next trade.
The paperwork matters because of what it predicts, but the fastest read on a contractor is still their reviews and their finished work. Reviews that name crew members, mention the site being left clean every evening, or describe neighbours coming over for a look are describing how the company behaves on your property. Ask for photo records of jobs like yours, then let the written scope confirm what the reviews already told you.
Key takeaways
- Insist on written proof of WSIB and liability insurance before work starts.
- Get a written scope, materials and warranty, not a verbal quote.
- Avoid phone-only pricing; a real number needs an on-site look.
- Favour contractors who diagnose honestly and document the finished work.
Frequently asked
What should a concrete quote include?
The scope of work, materials, warranty terms and an itemized price, in writing. If it is missing any of these, ask before you sign.
Why does documentation matter?
A written record with photos proves what was done (valuable for resale, insurance and any future work) and signals a contractor who stands behind the job.
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