How do you verify a contractor is properly licensed and insured before signing a bathroom renovation contract in Acadia?

Before signing any bathroom renovation contract in Acadia, verify your contractor holds valid permits, carries proper insurance, and is registered with WCB Alberta. This verification process protects you from liability and ensures quality work that meets Alberta Building Code standards.

Start with permit verification through the Safety Codes Council of Alberta system. Your contractor must obtain building, electrical, and plumbing permits for bathroom renovations involving structural changes, new electrical circuits, or plumbing relocations. In Calgary, permits are issued through the City's building department (call 311 or visit calgary.ca/development). Ask your contractor to provide permit numbers before work begins, or verify their ability to pull permits by checking their trade certifications. Licensed electricians and plumbers in Alberta are certified through the Safety Codes Council system - you can verify active licenses through their accredited agencies.

Insurance verification requires checking multiple coverage types. Request a current Certificate of Liability Insurance showing minimum $2 million general liability coverage. The certificate should name you as an additional insured and be issued directly from the insurance company, not photocopied. For contractors with employees, verify active WCB Alberta coverage at wcb.ab.ca using their account number. This protects you from workplace injury claims on your property. Many contractors also carry Errors & Omissions insurance for professional liability - ask about this coverage for complex renovations.

WCB Alberta registration is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Even sole proprietors should carry liability insurance, but those with employees must have active WCB coverage. Verify the contractor's WCB account number and ensure coverage is current. Uninsured contractors put you at serious financial risk if someone is injured during your renovation. The WCB website allows you to verify coverage status using the contractor's account number.

Get everything in writing before signing. Alberta's Consumer Protection Act requires written contracts for renovation work over $1,000. The contract should specify permit responsibilities, insurance requirements, material specifications, timeline, and payment schedule. Never pay large amounts upfront - Alberta's Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act allows contractors to lien your property for unpaid work, but also protects you from paying for incomplete work. A typical payment schedule is 10% down, progress payments tied to completion milestones, and final payment after completion and lien period expiration.

Red flags include contractors who can't provide insurance certificates, refuse to pull permits, demand large upfront payments, or pressure you to sign immediately. Door-to-door contractors are particularly risky - Alberta's Consumer Protection Act gives you 10 days to cancel door-to-door sales contracts. Always get multiple quotes and verify credentials independently.

For bathroom renovations in Acadia specifically, expect building permits for structural changes, electrical permits for new circuits or GFCI upgrades, and plumbing permits for fixture relocations. The City of Calgary requires permits for most bathroom renovations beyond simple fixture swaps. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for residential permits. Your contractor should handle permit applications, but verify they're properly submitted before work begins.

Browse verified contractors in our Calgary directory who have already been screened for proper licensing and insurance requirements.