Three simple steps
From idea to hire in under an hour
No sign-up, no waiting list, no shared phone calls. Just a clean way to find someone reliable.
A different kind of directory
Why homeowners pick Carpenter Bee
Most contractor directories make money by selling your information to multiple pros, who then race to call you. We don’t do that. Carpenter Bee is just a directory — you browse, you pick, you contact who you want.
Before you hire
What to look for in a contractor
Even with our verification, you should always do your own checks before signing a contract. Here’s what matters most:
Common questions
Things homeowners ask us
Most homeowners find 2–3 candidates within 10–15 minutes of searching. From there, contacting them and getting written quotes usually takes 1–3 business days. For urgent jobs (emergency electrical, plumbing emergencies), many contractors respond same-day — look for listings that mention emergency availability.
Three things you can do. First, try to resolve it directly with the contractor in writing — most disputes are misunderstandings. Second, leave an honest review on their listing to warn other homeowners. Third, for serious issues, contact the appropriate Ontario authority directly — Consumer Protection Ontario for unfair business practices, the Electrical Safety Authority for unsafe electrical work, Tarion for new-home warranty issues, the TSSA for gas or HVAC problems, your municipality for permit violations, or local police for fraud. You can also report the listing to us so we can review it against our platform rules.
No, and we want to be clear about that. We are not a contracting agency, we are not party to your contract, and we don’t supervise the actual work. Any warranties, timelines or quality issues are between you and the contractor you hire. This is the same model as Kijiji or a newspaper’s classified section. Always get everything in writing before any work starts — Ontario law gives you specific protections under the Consumer Protection Act, including a 10-day cooling-off period for direct agreements.
This is the most important question to ask, and we’re upfront with our answer: Carpenter Bee does not verify contractors. We’re a classified directory — contractors post their own listings, and we don’t vet their credentials, insurance, or quality of work. You check them yourself before hiring.
The good news is that this is quick and free in Ontario. Search the Ontario Business Registry to confirm the business exists. Use the WSIB online Clearance Certificate tool to check coverage. For electricians, search the ESA website. For new home builders, check Tarion. Ask the contractor for current proof of insurance and at least two recent references — and actually call those references. Our Safety Policy walks you through the full checklist.
No. That’s how lead-generation websites work — they collect your details and sell them to 3 or 4 contractors at once, then you get flooded with calls. Carpenter Bee is a classified directory: you see contractor profiles, you pick who to contact, and only that contractor receives your message. We never share or sell your contact details.
Yes, completely. Searching, browsing listings, reading reviews and contacting contractors costs nothing. We make money from contractors who pay for listings — not from you. No account is required to browse or to send a message to a contractor.