help & support

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Carpenter Bee is a classified directory for Ontario construction, renovation and trades businesses. This page answers the questions we get most often — from homeowners browsing listings and from contractors deciding whether to post. Can’t find what you need? Reach out and we’ll answer within one business day.

  • Free for homeowners

  • 24–48 hour response

  • Ontario directory

Yes, completely free. Searching, browsing listings, reading contractor profiles and contacting them costs nothing. We make money from contractors who pay for listings, not from homeowners. No account is required to browse or to send a message to a contractor.

Three one-time plans, all HST-included: Starter at $29 for 30 days (3 photos, 1 city, 1 category) — perfect for solo trades testing the platform; Professional at $79 for 45 days (10 photos, 2 cities, website link, email, video) — our most popular tier; Master Pro at $199 for 90 days (20 photos, 4 cities, featured placement, live chat) — top of every search result.

No. That’s how some lead-generation sites work — they collect your details and sell them to 3–4 contractors who race to call you. Carpenter Bee is just a classified directory: you see profiles, you pick who to contact, only that contractor receives your message.

No. Carpenter Bee is a classified directory, not a verification service. Contractors post their own listings — we do not vet, screen or confirm their credentials, licenses, insurance or quality of work. You are responsible for checking any contractor you consider hiring. The good news is that this is quick and free: search the Ontario Business Registry, use the WSIB Clearance tool, check the ESA website for licensed electricians, look up Tarion-registered builders, and read recent reviews. Our Safety Policy walks you through the full checklist with all the relevant Ontario resources.

No — all plans are one-time payments, no auto-renewal. When your 30, 45 or 90 days run out, your listing moves to archive and stops being visible in search. We send one email reminder near expiry. You decide whether to renew.

No. We are a directory, not a contracting agency. We are not a party to your contract with the contractor, and we are not responsible for the work performed, the warranty, the timeline, the safety, or any disputes. Whoever you hire is your choice and your responsibility. Always get a detailed written contract before any work starts — Ontario law gives you specific protections, including a 10-day cooling-off period for direct agreements. See our Safety Policy for details.

All of Ontario, with strongest coverage across the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington), plus Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor, Barrie, Kingston and Sudbury. We cover six trade categories: construction & renovation, electricians, tilers, carpenters, pool builders, and landscaping.

First, try to resolve it directly with the contractor in writing — most disputes are misunderstandings. If that fails, contact the appropriate Ontario authority: 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, HVAC or boiler problems; your municipality for permit violations; WSIB for uninsured workers; the BBB for formal complaints; or your local police for fraud. You can also leave an honest review on the contractor’s listing to warn other homeowners, and report the listing to us so we can review it against our platform rules.

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Floating shelves

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Man planning construction

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Man drilling wood 1

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