Pro-Core Foundations

What's the best thing about working from home? It means you can take advantage of ProCore's free foundation inspections within Ottawa and Gatineau.

The Wild West of Ontario construction is real. Since there’s no provincial licensing for general contractors, the Building Permit is your only legal protection. Here are some signs of trouble you should be looking out for:

Red Flag #1: The 'Trust Me' Permit. A contractor who says 'I have the permit at the office' is usually lying. In Ottawa, permits must be displayed on-site. No permit? No work.

Red Flag #2: Unpaid Sub-trades. This contractor stopped paying his subs, which is why the work stalled. If your workers are complaining about money, your project is funding someone else’s debt.

Red Flag #3: The Quality Pivot. If it doesn't pass a mid-point inspection, it won't magically be 'fine' at the end. Deficiencies don't fix themselves.

The City of Ottawa receives nearly 500 complaints a year about this exact scenario. Let’s bring that number down. Have questions about the permit process for your foundation or backyard? DM us.

Check out this story from CTV for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UBTWP8BLDY

When the problem is underground, guessing gets expensive.

Excavation lets us see what’s really going on below grade—soil conditions, drainage paths, hidden voids, damaged or clogged weeping tile, and cracks that don’t show from the surface. It turns “we think” into “we know,” so the repair plan is based on evidence, not assumptions.

That matters because it helps stop repeat leaks, prevents patch fixes, and ensures the solution matches the real cause of the issue.

If you’re noticing basement moisture, damp foundation walls, settling, or water pooling near the home, a proper excavation can be the turning point. Reach out to book an inspection and we’ll walk you through what we find and what it means for your foundation.

This story from Kingston proves that 'trusting your gut' isn't enough when $143k is on the line. The biggest weapon a shady contractor has is complexity. They keep the billing vague so you can't tell where the money is going.

Tip #1: Demand Proper Invoices. Per Section 6.1 of the Ontario Construction Act, an invoice must include a description of the services/materials supplied.

Tip #2: The 'Stat Dec.' Ask for a Statutory Declaration. It forces the contractor to legally confirm that subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.

Tip #3: The 10% Holdback. You are legally required to hold back 10% of every payment to protect against liens. If your contractor tells you they 'can't afford' the 10% holdback, they are cash-insolvent. Run.

Trust but verify. This recent CBC report is a heartbreaking reminder that “established” doesn’t always mean “compliant”.