Commercial Property Services
The quality of your commercial property maintenance contractors directly determines your property's condition, your tenants' satisfaction, and your liability exposure. Selecting contractors based on price alone — without verifying qualifications, insurance, and track record — is one of the most common and costly property management mistakes.
Insurance verification: require certificates of insurance showing Commercial General Liability (minimum $2M per occurrence), WSIB (Workers' Safety Insurance Board) coverage, and if applicable, automotive liability. Request certificates naming you as an additional insured. Verify certificates directly with the insurer if the work value is significant.
Industry Best Practices
WSIB clearance certificates: contractors without WSIB coverage create 'deemed worker' liability — if an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may be responsible for their compensation costs. Request current WSIB clearance certificates before work begins.
References specific to comparable work: ask for 3-5 references from commercial properties similar to yours (size, property type, service scope). Call the references. Ask about quality of work, reliability, communication, and how the contractor handled problems when they arose.
How D&D Commercial Services Can Help
Licensing for specialized trades: electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and some other trades require specific provincial licensing in Ontario. Verify that any licensed trade work is performed by appropriately licensed individuals or companies.
Written scope of work and contract: any significant commercial maintenance work should be documented with a written scope, timeline, pricing, payment terms, and warranty. Verbal agreements create disputes.
Service Level Agreements for recurring services: for ongoing services (landscaping, snow removal, cleaning), an SLA defining performance standards, response times, and remedies for non-performance protects your property and sets clear expectations.
D&D Commercial Services carries full commercial liability insurance, WSIB coverage, and maintains a proven track record across dozens of commercial properties in KW.