Busy season in the trades: what homeowners should know about booking contractors this winter

If you have tried to book a tradesperson in London lately, you may have noticed that good ones are not sitting by the phone. That is not just a feeling. The numbers behind Ontario's construction workforce explain why, and they also point to the best way to line up work for the winter months.

Why good trades are hard to book

BuildForce Canada, which tracks the construction labour market, released its Ontario outlook on July 20, 2026. It projects that as many as 92,000 Ontario construction workers will retire by 2035. Add the 34,100 extra workers needed to keep up with demand and the industry has to find 126,100 people. About 98,800 new workers under 30 are expected to join, which leaves a possible gap of 27,300.

Across Canada, the home building and renovation side is hit hardest. BuildForce expects the residential sector to lose about 135,000 workers to retirement by 2035, more than one fifth of its current workforce. A veteran tiler or carpenter with 30 years of experience is not replaced overnight by a first year apprentice.

Statistics Canada's latest job vacancy report, released September 15, shows the same pressure. There were 98,600 unfilled jobs in trades, transport and equipment operator roles in the second quarter of 2026. Openings for residential and commercial installers and servicers rose by 1,200 from a year earlier to 2,900.

London is building more than last year

Local demand for trades is strong as well. CMHC counted 2,862 housing starts in the London area from January to August, up from 1,301 in the same months of 2025. That is an increase of 120%. Most of it is apartments and other multi unit buildings, which went from 981 starts to 2,514. Single detached homes edged up from 320 to 348.

Big apartment projects and home renovations do not use exactly the same crews, but they draw on the same pool of drywallers, tilers, painters, electricians and plumbers. BuildForce expects residential construction employment in Southwestern Ontario to grow by 10% over its forecast period, so the competition for skilled people is not going away.

What it means for prices

So far, price increases have been moderate. Statistics Canada's Residential Renovation Price Index, which tracks what contractors charge for labour, materials, equipment and overhead, rose 2.3% across Canada in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, and 0.7% from the previous quarter. Toronto, the nearest large market reported, was up 1.0% over the year, according to Canadian Mortgage Trends.

On the new construction side, Statistics Canada reported that residential building costs were also up 2.3% over the year, and named metal and steel products and a constrained skilled trades workforce among the pressures.

Why winter is a good time for indoor work

Fall is a rush for outdoor jobs. Roofs, decks, concrete and exterior painting all need to be finished before the cold sets in. Once the weather turns, that work stops and indoor work takes over. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, flooring, tile and painting can all be done comfortably from November to March.

Winter also has two natural pauses: the holidays in late December, and the spring rush that starts building in March. If you want a bathroom finished before family arrives, or a rental unit turned over before a new tenant moves in, the planning needs to start now.

How to book a contractor this winter

• Start four to eight weeks ahead. A site visit, a written quote and ordering materials all take time. Custom vanities, special order tile and shower glass can take several weeks to arrive.
• Get more than one written estimate. The Ontario government suggests written estimates from at least three contractors, and at least three references from people who had similar work done.
• Insist on a written contract. Under Ontario law, a home renovation contract worth more than $50 must be in writing. It should list the work and materials, the total cost, the payment schedule, start and completion dates, the warranty, who handles cleanup, and which sub trades are involved.
• Know the 10% rule. In Ontario, the final price cannot be more than 10% above the written estimate unless you agreed to new work or a new price and signed a change to the contract.
• Keep the deposit small. The province recommends keeping the down payment to about 10%, and never paying the full amount before the work is finished.
• Remember the cooling off period. If you sign a renovation contract in your home, you have 10 calendar days to cancel.
• Get the start date in writing. Ask what could move it, such as a late delivery or a permit, and how you will be told if it changes.
• Decide on finishes early. Most delays on small jobs come from waiting on a tile, tap or vanity that was chosen late. Pick your finishes before the start date and the job moves faster.
• Ask who does the electrical and plumbing. That work should go to licensed trades. A good contractor will tell you who they use.

For landlords

Vacancies between tenants are the cheapest time to paint, replace flooring or update a bathroom. If you know a lease ends this winter, book the work before the unit is empty so the crew can start the day after move out. Every week a unit sits waiting for a contractor is a week of lost rent.

If you have an indoor project in mind for this winter, send us the details and we will give you a clear written quote and a realistic start date.