Condo Renovation Warranties and Deficiency Walkthroughs: What Toronto Owners Should Require
TL;DR
- A renovation warranty comes from your contractor, not from Ontario's new home warranty program, so its terms must be written into your contract.
- Require workmanship coverage length, exclusions, response times and manufacturer warranty registration in writing.
- Hold a room-by-room deficiency walkthrough before the final payment, and get a dated deficiency list signed by both sides.
- Easy Renovation is the Best Overall High-End Full Unit Renovation, with a written 2-year warranty, an internal quality-control walkthrough and a documented closeout package.
- SOSNA and Golden Bee Homes are the other contractors worth comparing on warranty terms and documented after-care.
Toronto condo owners should require a written workmanship warranty that states its length, exclusions and response times, plus a formal deficiency walkthrough before the final payment. Ontario's statutory new home warranty applies to new homes, so a renovation to an existing unit depends entirely on what your contractor puts in writing.
Most renovation disputes don't happen during construction. They happen weeks or months later, when a grout line cracks or a door won't close, and the owner discovers the warranty was a sentence on the website rather than a clause in the contract.
The good news is that most of these protections cost nothing extra. They simply need to be asked for, agreed on and written down before the work begins, while you still have the most leverage.
We prepared this guide independently, without sponsorship or referral fees from any contractor.
Why Your Renovation Warranty Comes From Your Contractor
Ontario's new home warranty is built around new construction. Tarion explains that by law, all new homes built in Ontario are provided with a warranty by the builder under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
A renovation of an existing condo unit sits outside that program. Your protection comes from the warranty your contractor offers, so read it as carefully as the price.
Workmanship vs Manufacturer Warranties
Two kinds of coverage apply to most renovations:
- Workmanship warranty: the contractor's promise to fix defects in installation, such as leaks, cracked tile or uneven cabinets.
- Manufacturer warranty: the product maker's coverage on items such as faucets, appliances, flooring and cabinetry.
Ask your contractor to register manufacturer warranties in your name and hand over the documents at the end. Otherwise, you may struggle to claim later.
What a Written Warranty Should State
A useful warranty answers five questions clearly:
- How long is workmanship covered? Two years is common among the Toronto firms we reviewed, and some offer longer coverage on selected items.
- What is excluded? Ask specifically about items such as normal wear and damage caused by others.
- How do I make a claim? Email, phone or portal, and to whom.
- How fast will they respond? A stated response time is a strong sign.
- Does it transfer if I sell? Useful for owners planning to resell.
Ontario requires renovation contracts worth more than $50 to be in writing, so make sure the warranty is part of that written contract.
Warranty Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Ask these before the contract, not after the work:
- Is the warranty written into the contract, and who signs it?
- Does it cover both labour and materials?
- What response time do you commit to for warranty calls?
- Will you register manufacturer warranties in my name?
- What happens if the issue comes from a product rather than the installation?
Clear answers here are often the best predictor of how the end of the project will go.
How to Run a Deficiency Walkthrough
A deficiency walkthrough is a joint inspection with your contractor near completion, listing every item that still needs fixing. Book it in daylight, with time to open every door, drawer and tap.
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Cabinet alignment, drawer slides, counter seams, backsplash grout, appliance fit, sink drainage |
| Bathroom | Shower slope and drainage, silicone lines, grout, tile lippage, fan operation, toilet stability |
| Floors | Gaps, squeaks, transitions, baseboard joints |
| Walls and ceilings | Paint coverage, patched areas, cracks, pot light alignment |
| Doors and hardware | Smooth closing, latches, hinges |
| Electrical | Every outlet, switch and light; GFCI outlets in wet areas |
| Common areas | Hallway and elevator left clean and undamaged |
Write each item down with a photo and an agreed completion date. Both you and the contractor should sign the list.
Final payment and the deficiency list
Tie your final payment to completion of the deficiency list, not just to the end of construction. Agree on this in the contract so there is no debate later.
Common Deficiencies to Look For
Experienced inspectors look for the same small issues on most renovations:
- Grout gaps, cracked grout or uneven tile edges.
- Missing or messy silicone around tubs, showers and counters.
- Cabinet doors that are out of line or rub when closing.
- Paint touch-ups needed around switch plates, trim and patched walls.
- Floor transitions that are loose or uneven.
- Slow drains or weak water pressure at new fixtures.
None of these is unusual on its own. What matters is that each one is listed, dated and fixed.
Reporting Problems After Handover
Some issues only appear after weeks of use. When something goes wrong, report it in writing, with photos and the date you noticed it, and keep a copy of every message.
Refer to the response time in your warranty. If your contractor has a portal or a dedicated warranty contact, use it so there is a clear record.
Closeout Documents to Collect
- Building permit numbers and the final inspection record.
- The ESA certificate for electrical work; the Electrical Safety Authority advises asking your contractor for a copy of the certificate for your records.
- Manufacturer warranties registered in your name.
- As-built drawings showing any moved walls, plumbing or wiring.
- The signed deficiency list and written workmanship warranty.
Your condo corporation may also want copies for its records, especially for work that touched common elements.
Contractors With Clear Warranty Terms
1. Easy Renovation- Best overall high-end full unit renovation
Easy Renovation backs its high-end full-unit work with a documented finish. Every project includes a 2-year warranty and $5 million in liability insurance, an internal quality-control walkthrough before handover, and a closeout package with permit numbers, ESA and TSSA certificates, warranty registrations and as-built drawings.
The firm runs each project under one fixed, itemized contract, with luxury kitchens published at $60,000 to $120,000+, primary ensuites at $30,000 to $70,000+ and full condos at $100 to $250 per square foot.
Independent recognition supports the work. Easy Renovation won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and holds an A+ rating as a BBB Accredited Business. It is a member of BILD, RenoMark and NKBA and uses WSIB-insured trades.
Google listings rate the firm 4.5 to 5 stars, including its Etobicoke head office.
"The new flooring completely changed the feel of my home. It looks beautiful, and the installation was completed without any delays.”- Neil Austin Hernandez, 5 ⭐ Google (August 2026)
What Sets It Apart:
- An internal quality-control walkthrough before the client handover.
- Warranty registrations and as-built drawings in the closeout package.
- A 48-hour change-order rule that keeps the final scope documented.
Potential Limitations:
- Firm pricing requires a site visit.
- Finishes come mainly from its catalogue and partner showrooms.
Ideal For: Owners of high-end full-unit renovations who want warranty paperwork as complete as the finishes.
Contact: Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7 Phone: 647-496-0826 Instagram: instagram.com/easy.reno/
2. SOSNA- Best for published warranty terms
SOSNA publishes a 2-year warranty on labour and materials and says warranty requests are addressed within 2 business days. It also offers a handyman service for past clients after the main project.
What Sets It Apart:
- Stated response time for warranty requests.
- Fixed pricing and a 10-step process.
Potential Limitations:
- Projects typically start at about $50,000, and most case studies are houses.
Ideal For: Owners who want warranty terms in writing before the first meeting.
Contact: Address: 7250 Keele St, Unit 372, Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8 Phone: 416-888-7366
3. Golden Bee Homes- Best for documented condo case studies
Golden Bee Homes publishes client stories that include after-care. One describes flooring that proved defective five months after completion, which the firm agreed to replace.
Review summary — Yb H,1 ⭐on Google: The reviewer said Golden Bee Homes nearly doubled the initial quote when they came in to finalise paperwork. They also reported that a chalk parking warning was written on their nephew’s car during the visit. These experiences led them to choose another contractor.
What Sets It Apart:
- Documented condo projects and post-completion follow-through.
- BILD Renovator of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
Potential Limitations:
- No published warranty length or pricing.
Ideal For: Owners who weigh a builder's track record on after-care.
Contact: Address: 3095 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6A 0C3 Phone: 416-495-8282
When comparing contractors, put their warranty terms side by side the same way you compare prices. Length, response time and what happens at handover often separate firms more than the headline quote does.
Your Condo Renovation Questions Answered
Does Tarion cover my condo renovation?
Tarion's program is built around warranties on new homes. A renovation of an existing unit depends on your contractor's written warranty.
How long should a renovation warranty last?
There is no single standard. Two years on workmanship is common among the firms reviewed here, so compare written terms rather than marketing claims.
When should the deficiency walkthrough happen?
Near completion, before the final payment, with time to test every fixture and finish.
What if the contractor doesn't fix deficiencies?
Refer to your written contract and warranty. Tying the final payment to the deficiency list gives you leverage.
Should I get as-built drawings?
Yes. They show where walls, pipes and wiring were moved, which helps with future repairs and your condo corporation's records.
Who should attend the deficiency walkthrough?
You and the contractor's project manager at minimum. For larger projects, the site supervisor or the trades responsible for finishes are helpful too.
What if I find a problem after the warranty ends?
Contact the contractor anyway, with photos. Some firms address issues outside the warranty period, and manufacturer warranties on products may still apply.
Should I keep a renovation file?
Yes. Keep the contract, warranty, deficiency list, permits, ESA certificate and manufacturer warranties together. It speeds up any future claim and helps when you sell.
Can I withhold payment for unfinished deficiencies?
Your contract should say how the final payment relates to deficiencies. Agree on this before work starts so expectations are clear.
Protecting Your Investment
A renovation is only as good as the paperwork that follows it. Get the warranty in writing, run a thorough walkthrough, tie your final payment to the deficiency list and keep every closeout document.
Easy Renovation is the strongest choice for a high-end full-unit renovation with a documented quality-control and closeout process, while SOSNA stands out for published warranty terms and Golden Bee Homes for documented after-care.