We use cookies to keep you signed in and to see what's working and what breaks. No advertising cookies, nothing sold. Details in our Cookie Policy.
Straight answers
The questions people ask most about starting and running a deck and fence business in Ontario. Answered straight, with links to the official sources.
One of the best on-ramps to construction ownership: the skills come from basic carpentry, homeowners buy directly (no GC between you and the customer), jobs run days not months, and you can pre-sell a whole season. The trade-offs are seasonality (you'll need a winter plan) and the structural responsibility — but for getting from employee to owner with modest tools and capital, deck building is hard to beat.
Generally when it's attached to the house or above a height threshold (commonly 24 inches, but confirm locally), and the Building Code's requirements for footings, ledgers, guards, and stairs apply. Unpermitted attached decks are a classic resale problem (they show up on home inspections), so building permitted is also a selling point — "done to Code, permitted, and safe" is a real differentiator against the cash-job competition.
Very — deck collapses injure people and make the news, and they almost always trace to a failed ledger connection or undersized footings/guards. The Code details exist because decks fail dangerously when done wrong. Build the permitted details by habit (proper ledger flashing and fasteners, correct footing depth, code-height guards), carry $2M CGL, and treat the structure as life-safety, not just carpentry. It's also your edge over the lowballers.
Pressure-treated is the affordable, high-volume product; composite (Trex, etc.) is the higher-ticket, higher-margin, lower-maintenance upsell that homeowners increasingly want. Moving customers toward composite-and-outdoor-living (decks with pergolas, lighting, built-in seating) is how deck builders raise their average ticket and margin. Start with both, and lean into composite design-build as the premium lane.
Plan it before your first winter. The classic moves: pre-sell and quote through late winter so you hit the ground running in spring, pair decks with fences (and pergolas) to extend the workable calendar, and run a complementary winter business — interior renovation, or snow removal (the gear and direct-to-homeowner model overlap). Banking the season's profit to bridge winter is essential; deck businesses that don't plan the off-season are the ones that fold.
A skilled solo or small-crew operator earns $60k–130k depending on volume, region, and how far upmarket they go — composite and outdoor-living design-build raise the ceiling well above basic pressure-treated decks. It's seasonal, so the number reflects a compressed building season plus whatever winter work you add. Build a strong portfolio, push toward premium composite projects, and pair with a winter revenue stream, and it's a solid living and a real business.
No trade licence — you need a municipal business licence, WSIB, insurance, and permits for decks above the height threshold or attached to the house. Fences follow municipal by-laws (and strict pool-enclosure rules). Call Ontario One Call before digging any post hole.
One of the best entries: homeowners buy decks directly (no GC between you and the client), jobs run days not months, and you can pre-sell a season. The trade-offs are seasonality — most operators pair it with fences, winter interior work, or snow — and the need to price materials swings carefully.
Generally when it is attached to the house or above a height threshold (commonly 24 inches, but confirm locally) — and the Building Code's requirements for footings, ledgers, and guards apply. Unpermitted attached decks are a classic resale problem, so building permitted is also a selling point.
A sole proprietorship is cheaper and simpler to start, but you are personally liable for the business's debts and claims. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity that limits personal liability, can reduce tax once you are profitable, and reads as more credible to larger clients. Most contractors incorporate once they have employees, real revenue, or work on others' property.
Yes — construction is a mandatory WSIB sector in Ontario. Even independent operators and partners with no employees generally must register, and clients and general contractors will require a valid WSIB clearance certificate before you can work on their site.
You must register for and charge HST once your revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive quarters. Many contractors register before that threshold so they can claim input tax credits on tools, materials, and vehicles from day one.
Ontario's Construction Act sets the rules: a 10% holdback on most contracts, prompt-payment timelines (you must be paid within set periods after a proper invoice), and an adjudication process for disputes. Understanding holdback, lien rights, and prompt payment is essential to protecting your cash flow.