Going out on your own
How to start a structural steel business in Ontario
Structural steel erection is non-compulsory as a trade, but the work hinges on CWB welding certification and fall-protection/rigging compliance — the credentials owners and engineers actually check.
Structural Steel at a glance
- Licence to do the work
- Not required as a trade — but structural welding needs CWB qualification
- Path in
- Ironworkers union apprenticeship (420A) — about 3–4 years
- Regulated by
- CWB (welding); engineered drawings govern the work
- Insurance baseline
- $5M CGL on commercial sites
- Union route
- Ironworkers locals — the dominant route
The steps to start your structural steel business
- 1
Incorporate your company
Most contractors incorporate (Ontario or federal) to limit personal liability, look credible to larger clients, and access tax advantages once profitable. You choose a named or numbered company, set directors and share structure, and file the articles. Budget roughly $400–$600.
Full guide: Incorporation - 2
Register your CRA accounts
Get a Business Number, then register for HST/GST (mandatory once you exceed $30,000 in revenue, and worth registering sooner to claim input tax credits), a payroll account if you will hire, and corporate income tax. This is free and done through the CRA.
Full guide: CRA Registration - 3
Register for WSIB
Construction is a mandatory WSIB sector. Independent operators and partners in construction generally must register even with no employees, and clients and general contractors will require a valid WSIB clearance certificate before letting you on site.
Full guide: WSIB & Provincial - 4
Handle structural steel licensing & permits
Ironworker (structural/ornamental 420A, reinforcing 452A) is a voluntary trade. What gates the work is CWB welding certification (CSA W47.1 for the company, W178 for welders), engineered connection compliance, and rigging/fall-protection competency. You incorporate, carry insurance, and qualify your welders.
Full guide: Trade Licensing - 5
Get insured
Carry Commercial General Liability (typically $2M, $5M for commercial/industrial work), plus tools and equipment, commercial auto, and — depending on scope — builders risk and professional liability. Many contracts and clients specify minimum coverage before you can quote.
Full guide: Insurance - 6
Set up health, safety & compliance
Meet your Occupational Health and Safety Act duties: a health and safety policy, required training (WHMIS, Working at Heights where applicable), and — for commercial and public work — often COR® certification. This is also where any trade-specific safety tickets live.
Full guide: Safety Compliance - 7
Stand up your operations
Open business banking, set up construction-specific accounting, and understand your trust obligations under the Construction Act (holdback, prompt payment, and adjudication). This is the back office that keeps you paid and out of trouble.
Full guide: Operational Setup - 8
Get bid-ready and win work
Assemble your prequalification package — incorporation and WSIB documents, insurance and bonding letters, safety program, key personnel, and project references — then quote, send proposals, and collect on invoices. This is where a construction business actually makes money.
Full guide: Bid Readiness
Insurance for a structural steel business
High-consequence structural work with significant fall and rigging exposure. Expect $5M CGL on commercial sites and rigorous safety prequalification.
Your launch checklist
The whole page in one list. Screenshot it, stick it on the dash of the truck.
- Incorporate your company
- Register your CRA accounts
- Register for WSIB
- Handle structural steel licensing & permits
- Get insured
- Set up health, safety & compliance
- Stand up your operations
- Get bid-ready and win work
Structural Steel questions, answered
Do you need a licence? How much does it cost? See the FAQs.
Structural Steel overview
Licensing, regulators, and certifications at a glance.
Skip the paperwork. Let AEC Stack set it up
AEC Stack runs the whole process for a structural steel business: incorporation, CRA, WSIB, permits, insurance, compliance, and the operations to win your first contract.
Start your structural steel business