What should an Ottawa mould remediation scope of work say?

A written scope of work is the main protection a homeowner has when hiring a mould remediator, because we found no Ontario statute or regulation that licenses mould remediators or sets indoor mould limits. What the document says is what you can hold the contractor to.

What the scope should cover

The scope should describe, in plain language, every item below before you sign anything:

• The affected area: Room, surface and approximate size, using Health Canada's size bands: small is one to three patches each less than one square metre, medium is more than three patches or patches greater than one square metre but less than three square metres, and extensive is a patch larger than three square metres. The size band matters because Health Canada says you can generally clean small and medium areas yourself, and recommends professional help for extensive growth.
• The moisture source and how it will be fixed: Remediation without fixing the source is not remediation. The scope should name the repair, who does it and when, because mould returns if moisture does.
• The method and containment: What surfaces will be cleaned or removed, how the work area will be contained, and how dust and debris will be handled. No Ontario regulation prescribes a method, so the written scope is the only place these commitments exist.
• What "done" looks like: The scope should define completion as: the written work is finished, the moisture source is repaired, and no visible mould remains on the treated surfaces. We found no Health Canada or Ontario standard that adds to this.
• Debris disposal: Where mould debris goes. We found no Ottawa rule specific to mould waste, so ask the contractor to state the disposal site in writing.
• The asbestos question: If the building was constructed before 1990, any step that cuts or removes drywall, plaster, ceiling texture or flooring may disturb asbestos-containing material. The scope should say whether suspect materials were identified, whether bulk sampling was done before work starts, and what happens if suspect material is found during the job. Ontario's O. Reg. 278/05 governs that work; the Type of operation, and whether a Ministry of Labour inspector notice is required, depends on the friability of the material and the area disturbed, assessed on site.
• WSIB clearance: Anyone can search a contractor's current WSIB clearance online before work starts. A clearance is valid for up to 90 days.
• Payment terms: Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, an agreement signed at your home is a direct agreement; if the total potential payment exceeds $50 it must be in writing, and you may cancel without reason within 10 days of receiving the written copy. The rules are due to change under the Consumer Protection Act, 2023, so check the current version. The Construction Act generally requires a 10 per cent holdback; get advice for your situation.

Comparing two written quotes? Check exactly what each one says about the moisture repair, the definition of completion, and what happens if asbestos-containing material turns up once the walls are open, because those three items are where two quotes for the same job can differ.