Required Construction Documents Part 1: Registration Of Constructors (Form 1000) by Steven Silva

Before I allow any contractor to work for me on a construction project here in Ontario, I require 3 documents IN ADVANCE: 1- Registration of Constructors (Form 1000), 2-Copy of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Clearance Certificate, 3-Copy of the contractors Health and Safety Policy.  I have allowed work to start without contracts, quotes/estimates, and even without references BUT the first three MUST be provided.  As I tended to work with smaller contractors, except for the WSIB clearance certificate, they might not know what the other two were but almost all know what a WSIB clearance certificate is (even if they didn’t have one themselves).  Contractors are often surprised when I ask for a WSIB clearance certificate up front.  These three blogs introduce and discuss these three documents and why I think each one is so important.

Part 1: Ministry of Labour Registration Of Constructors Form (Form 1000)

When a Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspector comes on a construction site, the Registration of Constructors form is usually the first document requested. It quickly gives the inspector all the information needed to find out about any company on his portable computer in his car.

The Registration of Constructorform answers the following questions:
-Is the contractor an Individual, Corporation, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship or a Joint Venture?
-What is the Name and Address of the company including phone numbers
-Who are the Directors and Principle Officers?
-What is the average number of Employees on a Project?
-What are the Business License, Tax, WSIB and WSIB rate numbers?

Click to Download Form 1000 (Registration of Constructor Form) Here

Keep in mind the MOL Inspector collects information on behalf of Revenue Canada and the WSIB.

Depending on how the form is filled out changes the way the Inspector will interact with the people on site.  If the company  is a Corporation, you know that they are limiting their liability.  If it is a sole-proprietorship, then the constructor is personally liable for his actions.  Address Information should match the billing address you have.  Is the person that signed the contract with you a Director or Principal?  If not, are they legally able to bind the company?  The number of employees on a project will affect the need for supervisors, health and safety representatives and if a Joint Heath and Safety Committee is required.  Having all the tax numbers are useful too.  If the constructor you are using doesn’t have the proper tax account, you may be responsible for paying the G.S.T and WSIB compensation for them.

Any Questions?

(Next Part 2: WSIB Clearance Certificate) or (Download Form 1000 Here)