Who Is Considered a Contractor in Construction?

Ever hired someone to remodel your kitchen, add a deck, or rewire your house-and then got stuck with a mess because they weren’t actually qualified? You’re not alone. A lot of people think anyone who shows up with tools and says they can do the job is a contractor. But that’s not true. In construction, contractor isn’t just a job title-it’s a legal and professional status with real rules behind it.

What Exactly Makes Someone a Contractor?

A contractor isn’t just someone who does work. They’re the person or company that signs a contract to manage and complete a construction project. That means they take responsibility for the entire job: hiring workers, buying materials, getting permits, sticking to timelines, and making sure everything meets building codes. They don’t just show up and hammer nails-they plan, organize, and answer for the outcome.

Think of it like this: if you’re building a house, the contractor is the quarterback. They don’t lay every brick or run every wire, but they’re the ones who make sure the team does it right. A carpenter, electrician, or plumber might be working on the project, but unless they’re managing the whole thing under contract, they’re subcontractors or tradespeople-not contractors.

Contractor vs. Tradesperson: What’s the Difference?

This is where people get confused. A plumber fixes pipes. A roofer replaces shingles. A drywaller hangs panels. These are all skilled tradespeople. They specialize in one area. A contractor, on the other hand, coordinates multiple trades. They’re the ones who call the plumber, the electrician, and the framer, schedule their work, and make sure everything fits together.

In Nova Scotia, for example, if you hire a company to do a full bathroom renovation-including tearing out walls, installing new plumbing, rewiring, tiling, and painting-that company is acting as a contractor. The electrician they bring in is a subcontractor. The same person could be a contractor on one job and a subcontractor on another, depending on who hired them.

Do You Need a License to Be a Contractor?

Yes. In most places in Canada-including Nova Scotia-you can’t legally call yourself a contractor for residential or commercial construction without a license. The rules vary slightly by province, but here’s what’s generally required:

• Proof of experience (usually 2-4 years working in construction)
• Passing a business and law exam
• Proof of liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation coverage (if you have employees)
• Registration with the provincial regulatory body (in Nova Scotia, that’s the Nova Scotia Board of Contractors)

Unlicensed contractors can still do small handyman jobs under $5,000 in Nova Scotia-but anything bigger, including structural changes, electrical, or plumbing work, requires a license. If you hire someone unlicensed for a big job and something goes wrong, you have no legal recourse. No insurance payout. No warranty. No way to file a complaint.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee: Why It Matters

Another layer of confusion: the term “contractor” is also used in payroll. An independent contractor is someone who works for themselves and invoices clients. They’re not on a company’s payroll. They handle their own taxes, benefits, and equipment.

But here’s the catch: just because someone calls themselves an independent contractor doesn’t mean they legally are. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) looks at how the work is done-not what the person calls themselves. If a worker is told when to show up, what tools to use, and how to do the job, they’re probably an employee, even if they’re paid as a contractor. Misclassifying employees as contractors can lead to big fines for the hiring company.

For homeowners, this matters because if you hire someone who’s actually an employee but is billed as a contractor, and they get hurt on your property, you could be held liable. Always ask: are they licensed? Do they have insurance? Are they working for themselves or for a company?

What Types of Projects Require a Contractor?

Not every home fix needs a contractor. If you’re painting a room or replacing a faucet, you can probably do it yourself-or hire a handyman. But for anything that involves:

• Structural changes (adding a room, moving load-bearing walls)
• Electrical work beyond swapping outlets
• Plumbing that affects the main lines or sewage
• Installing a new furnace or water heater
• Building a deck over 24 inches high
• Adding a garage or shed over 10 square meters

…you need a licensed contractor. These projects require permits, inspections, and compliance with the Nova Scotia Building Code. Only licensed contractors can legally pull permits and sign off on inspections.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Fake Contractor

Scams happen. Too many homeowners have paid upfront for work that never started-or worse, did damage that cost more to fix. Here’s how to avoid them:

• No license number? Ask for their Nova Scotia Board of Contractors registration number and verify it online.
• Only cash? Legitimate contractors accept credit cards, e-transfers, or cheques. Cash-only is a warning sign.
• No written contract? Never start work without a signed contract that includes scope, timeline, payment schedule, and warranty details.
• Pressure to pay upfront? Reputable contractors ask for a deposit (usually 10-30%), not the full amount before work begins.
• No insurance proof? Ask for a Certificate of Insurance. If they hesitate, walk away.

Why Hiring a Licensed Contractor Protects You

Hiring a licensed contractor isn’t about being picky-it’s about protection. If something goes wrong:

• You can file a complaint with the Nova Scotia Board of Contractors.
• You may be covered by their liability insurance.
• You get a legal warranty on workmanship (usually 1-2 years).
• Your home insurance won’t be voided if the work was done improperly.
• You can get permits pulled legally, which matters when you sell your house.

I’ve seen too many cases where people saved a few hundred dollars hiring an unlicensed guy-only to spend $5,000 fixing bad wiring or a leaking roof that wasn’t done to code. In the long run, paying a licensed professional saves money, stress, and safety risks.

What to Look for When Choosing a Contractor

Not all licensed contractors are equal. Here’s how to pick the right one:

• Check their registration status on the Nova Scotia Board of Contractors website.
• Ask for three recent references-and actually call them. Ask if the job was finished on time and if they’d hire them again.
• Look for reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau. Watch for patterns: complaints about communication, delays, or hidden costs.
• Get at least three written quotes. Don’t just pick the cheapest. Look for clarity in what’s included.
• Make sure they use their own crew, not just subcontractors you never meet.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just About the Work

A contractor isn’t just someone who builds things. They’re the person who takes ownership of your project from start to finish. They understand permits, codes, timelines, and liability. They’re the bridge between your vision and a safe, legal, finished home.

Don’t confuse a handyman with a contractor. Don’t let a flashy website or a low quote fool you. In construction, the right person isn’t always the loudest or the cheapest. It’s the one who’s licensed, insured, and accountable.