How to Hire a Brick Repair Contractor: Ontario Homeowner's Guide

Three contractors just gave you quotes. One's $2,000 cheaper but won't visit your house—just wants photos. Another sounds great on the phone, but when you ask for his insurance, he says "it expired last month, but I'm renewing it soon." The third seems perfect until you Google him and find nothing.

You have no idea who to trust. Pick wrong and you're looking at $8,000 in redo work when the mortar fails in two years, the brick doesn't match, or—worst case—a worker gets hurt and you're liable for $50,000 in medical bills.

Here's how to separate the pros from the cowboys. This isn't generic advice—it's based on 210 reviews from our brick repair customers in Ontario and actual licensing requirements. You'll learn what to verify, what to ask, and what red flags mean "walk away."

What You Need to Know Upfront

Before you call anyone:

Verify WSIB and liability insurance first — Without WSIB, you're personally liable if a worker gets hurt on your property. One fall from scaffolding could cost you $50,000.

Demand on-site assessments — Contractors who quote over the phone or from photos are guessing. They can't see moisture behind walls or structural issues.

Compare quotes by scope, not price — The cheapest bid usually means cut corners. Look at materials, timeline, warranty, and what's actually included.

Get everything in writing — Texts and emails count. If a contractor won't put it in writing, that's your answer.

Ask specific questions — Vague answers about crew, materials, or process are warning signs.

Before You Start Calling: Know What Kind of Contractor You Need

Not all brick work is the same. Hiring the wrong type of contractor costs you time and money.

You Need a Heritage Restoration Specialist If:

• Your home is over 75 years old
• You're in a heritage district (Durand, Cabbagetown, Old Strathcona)
• The brick is handmade or historic
• Repairs require lime mortar (not portland cement)
• You need permits that require heritage approval

Kevin S. hired Fix My Brick to rebuild his 140-year-old Victorian chimneys. "I was skeptical about a franchise company doing this kind of work. We're ecstatic—they did what other companies wouldn't even try. Ryan and Fabiano worked like artisans—old-school craft."

A General Brick Contractor Works Fine If:

• Your home is less than 50 years old
• Standard brick repair or tuckpointing
• No heritage district restrictions

Get this wrong and you'll either overpay (heritage specialist for standard work) or underpay (general contractor who can't source period brick or mix proper lime mortar).

Step 1: Verify Credentials Before You Waste Time

Start here. If a contractor can't prove these three things, move on immediately.

WSIB Insurance (Non-Negotiable)

WSIB covers workers if they're injured on your job. Without it, you—the homeowner—are liable for medical costs and lost wages.

In 210 customer reviews, 23 homeowners specifically mentioned checking for "licensed and insured" before they'd even talk pricing. They know what's at stake.

How to verify:

1. Ask for their WSIB clearance certificate
2. Check the expiry date (must be current, not "renewing soon")
3. Confirm the business name matches exactly

Don't accept excuses. No current WSIB certificate = end the conversation.

Liability Insurance

This covers property damage during work—cracked driveways, broken windows, damaged landscaping. Contractors should carry $2-5 million in coverage.

How to verify:

1. Ask for their policy number
2. Call the insurer directly to confirm active coverage
3. Don't accept expired documents or "I'm switching providers"

Business License & Online Reputation

Ontario doesn't have a masonry-specific license, but legitimate contractors have a registered business. Ask for their business number or business license—some contractors operate completely unlicensed, which is a major red flag.

Beyond that, check:

• Google reviews — Look for patterns, not just star counts. Do multiple reviews mention the same crew members by name? That's consistency.
• HomeStars — Verified reviews carry more weight
• BBB — Check for complaint patterns

In 210 customer reviews, customers mentioned crew members by name (Rodrigo, Luke, Arthur, Ryan, James) 99+ times. That signals accountability—not rotating day labourers.

Step 2: Demand On-Site Assessments (Not Phone Quotes)

Joe A. needed chimney work and called two contractors for quotes.

The first one told him to take photos and email them. No visit, no assessment.

When he called Fix My Brick for a second quote, "James actually came to my home to have a look at what needed to be done." That in-person visit revealed structural issues the first contractor would've completely missed.

Here's what happens when a good contractor visits:

They'll inspect the damage, check for moisture behind the brick, and look for structural problems—cracks, loose brick, wall movement. They'll take photos, show you brick and mortar samples for colour matching, and explain what needs fixing and why.

Within 24 hours, you'll get a written quote sent via email and text. Emily C. said: "The estimate was clear with no surprises and it was texted to me as well as emailed to me for review."

If a contractor won't visit in person, that's a red flag. They're either too busy to care about your project or they don't know enough to assess it properly.

Step 3: Ask Questions That Reveal How They Actually Work

Don't just ask "can you fix this?" Ask questions that show you know what matters.

"Who will actually do the work?"

You want named, trained crews—not subcontractors or day labourers. In 99+ customer reviews, customers mentioned specific crew members by name. That's a sign of consistency and accountability.

If the answer is vague ("we have a great team"), push harder: "What are their names? How long have they worked for you?"

"How will you protect my property?"

This matters more than you think. In customer reviews, 52.4% of homeowners specifically mentioned cleanup and site protection. They notice tarps, scaffolding setup, landscaping protection, and dust control.

If the contractor can't answer this clearly, you're going to be stressed every day of the project.

"What materials will you use?"

Get specifics: brick type, mortar mix (Type N, S, or O), any sealants. Ask to see samples for colour matching.

Experienced contractors explain why they chose specific materials. "We'll use good stuff" isn't an answer.

Janet D. saw samples before work started: "They replaced my entire chimney and you wouldn't even know it was replaced. The bricks matched so well."

"How long will this take?"

Expect a realistic timeline with weather contingencies:

• Small repairs (10-20 bricks): 1-2 days
• Tuckpointing a wall section: 3-5 days
• Chimney rebuilds: 1-2 weeks

Mortar work during rain or freezing temperatures requires special precautions—tarps, heaters, proper curing conditions. Ask how they'll handle weather delays and what their backup plan is. If a contractor promises "we'll be done by Friday no matter what" without explaining how they'll manage weather, that's a red flag.

"What's included in the quote?"

Clarify scope boundaries: What's covered? What's not? Who handles cleanup and debris removal?

This is where surprise costs hide. "Fix the chimney" could mean different things to different contractors. One includes flashing repair, another doesn't. One removes debris, another leaves it in your driveway.

Get specifics in writing.

"What's your warranty policy?"

Ask what's covered, how long, and how to make a claim. Good contractors stand behind their work. We offer a 2-year warranty on workmanship—that's the standard you should expect from quality contractors.

Andrew B. experienced this firsthand: "Joshua called me back promptly and offered to return to complete some more work. Overall very happy to see that they stand behind their work and are committed to customer satisfaction."

"What's the payment schedule?"

Ask about their payment terms upfront. Here's how we structure our payment terms as an example of what's reasonable:

For smaller projects (under $10,000):

• Full payment after work is completed
• No deposit required

For larger projects (over $10,000):

• 25% deposit before work begins
• 25% payment at 50% completion
• Final balance after work is done

Red flags to watch for:

• Large upfront payment (more than half the project cost)
• Cash only
• "Pay when you're happy" (sounds good but creates problems)

"Do you pull permits?"

Permits are required for structural work and heritage districts. Ask who handles the application and approval.

If they say "we don't need permits" for work that clearly does, walk away.

"How do you handle change orders?"

Unexpected issues happen—hidden damage, structural problems you can't see until the wall's open.

Ask about the process for additional work: How is it priced? Do you have to approve before they proceed? How much extra time does it add?

Mark M. appreciated this transparency: "Every detail we discussed, even minor things that were important to us, were recorded and completed."

Step 4: Compare Quotes Properly (Not Just Price)

Getting three quotes is standard advice. But comparing them wrong defeats the purpose.

What a Good Quote Includes

Scope of work — Detailed description of work area, what's included and excluded Red flag: Vague "fix brick wall"

Materials — Brick type, mortar mix, quantities Red flag: "Standard materials"

Timeline — Start date, estimated completion, how long the work will take Red flag: No dates or duration mentioned

Payment terms — Deposit amount, milestones, final payment Red flag: Large upfront payment (more than half)

Warranty — Coverage terms, duration, exclusions Red flag: No warranty mentioned

Cleanup — Debris removal, site protection, disposal Red flag: Not included

How to Compare Quotes

Don't just look at the total price. Ask:

Is the scope identical? One contractor might include parging repair, another doesn't. You're not comparing apples to apples.

What materials are they using? Type N mortar vs. Type S makes a difference. Brick quality varies. Cheapest materials = shortest lifespan.

Can they start when you need them? Good contractors are booked 2-4 weeks out. If someone can start tomorrow, ask why they're not busy.

What's the warranty? Look for at least a 2-year warranty on workmanship. Anything less means they don't stand behind their work long-term.

What are the payment terms? Reasonable contractors charge no deposit for smaller projects, and around 25% deposit for larger ones (with balance split between midpoint and completion). Anything over half the project cost upfront is a red flag.

Val hired Fix My Brick after comparing three quotes: "Rodrigo provided a fair and detailed estimate, clearly explaining the scope of the work and what to expect. His crew arrived on time, answered all our questions, and even showed us what was behind the damaged brick so we could be reassured there was no hidden moisture damage."

The lowest price often means cut corners. You'll pay again in two years when you have to redo it.

Step 5: Call References and Ask Specific Questions

Don't just ask "were you satisfied?" Ask questions that reveal how the contractor actually works:

• Did the crew arrive on time every day?
• Was the job site kept clean?
• Were there surprise costs or change orders?
• How did they handle rain delays or problems?
• Did the brick and mortar match well?
• Would you hire them again?

When we analyzed 210 customer reviews, these phrases showed up over and over:

"Arrived on time" / "Punctual" — mentioned constantly "Left property clean" / "No mess" — 99+ mentions "Explained the process" / "Clearly explained" — 23 mentions "Brick matched perfectly" — 14 mentions

These aren't nice-to-haves. They're the price of admission.

Step 6: Understand the Contract Before You Sign

A contract protects both of you. Here's what it must include:

Full scope of work — Detailed description of everything to be done Material specifications — Exact brick type, mortar mix, quantities Payment schedule — Deposit, milestone payments, final payment conditions Change order process — How additional work is priced and approved Start and completion dates — With weather contingency language Warranty terms — What's covered, how long, how to make claims Cleanup responsibility — Daily cleanup, debris removal, final site restoration Signatures — Both parties sign and date

What NOT to Sign

Blank contracts — "We'll fill it in later" means you have no protection No warranty terms — If they won't stand behind the work in writing, they won't stand behind it at all Large upfront payment — More than half the project cost is a red flag Vague scope — "Fix as needed" opens the door to surprise costs

If something feels off, don't sign. Take time to read everything carefully and ask questions until you're comfortable.

Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These

No business license or registration

Some contractors operate completely unlicensed. Ask for their business number or license. If they can't provide it, they're not legitimate.

No written quote or contract

Contractors who won't put anything in writing—no quote, no contract, no invoice—leave you with no recourse when work fails. "I'll give you a good deal for cash" without documentation is a red flag.

No portfolio or past work photos

You can't verify quality, brick matching skill, or experience. Legitimate contractors are proud to show their work.

Vague answers about materials or process

Either they don't know (lack of expertise) or they're hiding corners they plan to cut.

Pressure to decide immediately

"This price is only good today" is a sales tactic. Legitimate contractors don't rush you—good ones are booked weeks ahead.

Significantly lower bid than others

If three contractors quote $6,000-$7,000 and one quotes $3,500, ask why. Usually it means:

• Wrong materials (cheaper mortar that fails faster)
• Skipped steps (no moisture barrier, no proper curing time)
• Unlicensed labour (no WSIB, no training)
• No warranty

You'll pay double when you redo it in two years.

No insurance proof or "renewing soon"

You're personally liable if a worker gets hurt on your property. One fall from scaffolding = $50,000+ in medical bills and lost wages.

Won't come to assess in person

Phone quotes and photo quotes can't be accurate. They're guessing, and you'll pay for their mistakes.

Generic or vague written quote

"Fix chimney - $4,500" isn't a quote. It's a guess that becomes a dispute when they claim "oh, flashing repair wasn't included."

Slow follow-up or poor communication

If they're unresponsive before you hire them, it gets worse after. Laura's review mentioned this specifically: "Quick in response to inquiries." That matters.

No warranty mentioned

If they won't guarantee their work in writing, they don't stand behind it.

What Happens If You Hire the Wrong Contractor

This isn't just inconvenient—it's expensive:

Poor brick matching → Repairs are obvious, curb appeal tanks, affects resale value

Wrong mortar mix → Mortar fails in 2-3 years, needs complete redo (costs 1.5-2x the original quote)

Skipped steps → Water keeps infiltrating, damage spreads, structural issues develop

No warranty → You pay twice: once for bad work, again to fix it properly

Worker injury without WSIB → You're liable for medical costs, lost wages, legal fees ($50,000+)

Removing bad repairs and starting over typically costs 1.5-2x the original quote. Add water damage from delays and you're looking at even more.

That's why vetting contractors upfront isn't optional.

Your Hiring Checklist

Before You Call:

• Identify if you need heritage specialist or general contractor
• Make a list of 3-5 contractors to contact
• Check online reviews for patterns

During Quotes:

• Verify WSIB clearance certificate (current, not expired)
• Verify liability insurance (call insurer directly)
• Get on-site assessment (no phone/photo quotes)
• Ask all 9 questions from Step 3
• Get written quote via email and text
• Review portfolio for brick matching quality

Before You Sign:

• Compare 3 quotes by scope, materials, timeline, warranty
• Call 2-3 references with specific questions
• Review contract for all required elements
• Verify payment schedule is reasonable (not large upfront payments)
• Confirm warranty terms in writing
• Keep copies: quotes, contract, photos, payment receipts

When to Act Fast vs. When You Have Time

Call Immediately If You See:

• Loose or bulging brick (safety hazard)
• Large structural cracks
• Active water infiltration
• Chimney damage (fire/carbon monoxide risk)

You Have Time to Compare If:

• Minor mortar deterioration
• Small hairline cracks (monitoring stage)
• Cosmetic repairs
• Preventative maintenance

Ready to Find the Right Contractor?

Don't hire anyone until you know what you're dealing with.

Use our 2-minute brick damage assessment tool to understand your repair needs. You'll get a printable checklist that shows you exactly what to ask contractors—and what answers to expect.

Then book a free on-site assessment from Fix My Brick. We're WSIB insured, offer a 2-year warranty, and use in-house crews (never subcontractors). You'll get a detailed written quote—texted and emailed—within 24 hours.

Or start with our complete guide to brick repair to understand what good work looks like before you start calling contractors.