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The Doyo blog
Practical home care for Toronto, York Region and the rest of the GTA — what things cost, what the law says, and what to do before winter.
Costs · 9 min read
How much does a new furnace cost in Ontario? (2026)
A new gas furnace installed in Ontario costs about $3,500 to $10,000 in 2026. Prices by type, what adds to a quote, rent vs buy, and heat pump rebates.
October 27, 2026
What’s wrong? · 8 min
Why does my toilet gurgle when the washing machine drains?
A toilet that gurgles when the washer drains or a shower runs usually means a partly blocked drain or a blocked vent. How to tell which, and when it is urgent.
October 27, 2026
Costs · 9 min
How much does it cost to install a toilet in Ontario? (2026)
Swapping a toilet in Ontario costs about $200 to $450 in labour, plus $100 to $700 for the toilet. Moving one needs a permit and a 306A plumber. 2026 prices.
October 27, 2026
Fix it · 8 min
Furnace vent blocked by snow or ice: what to do now
Brush the snow off both white plastic furnace pipes by hand, melt ice with warm water, then reset the furnace. If a CO alarm sounds, get out first and call 911.
October 20, 2026
What’s wrong? · 9 min
Why is one room in my house always colder than the rest?
A cold room usually gets too little warm air: a closed register or damper, a dirty filter, no return air, or ducts losing heat through a garage or outside wall.
October 20, 2026
For partners · 7 min
How to start a renovation business in Ontario: licences and permits
Ontario has no general renovator licence and HCRA covers only new homes. You need licensed sub-trades, building permits, insurance, WSIB and written contracts.
October 13, 2026
Fix it · 8 min
What do the blinking lights on my furnace mean? Reading the codes
A blinking furnace light is a code from the control board. Count the flashes and match them to the label on the blower door. What codes mean and what to do.
October 13, 2026
Costs · 9 min
How much does it cost to move across Canada? (2026)
Full-service movers charge $4,500 to $9,500 to take a two- or three-bedroom home from Toronto to Vancouver in 2026. Routes, containers, DIY and tax rules.
October 13, 2026
What’s wrong? · 8 min
My carbon monoxide alarm is beeping or chirping: what does it mean?
Four loud beeps and a pause means CO: get out and call 911. One chirp a minute is a low battery; a chirp every 30 seconds or END means the alarm has expired.
October 13, 2026
For partners · 6 min
Starting a home-services business in York Region: a market guide
York Region has 1.17 million people, 62% of homes single-detached and 82% owner-occupied (2021 Census). Towns, housing age and seasons for a new home-services firm.
October 13, 2026
For pros · 6 min
How to start a cleaning business in Ontario: licence, insurance, price
Ontario needs no provincial licence to clean homes. You do need a registered name if you use one, liability cover, a bond, a pricing method and first clients.
October 9, 2026
For partners · 6 min
How to start a home-services business in Canada as a newcomer
Newcomers in Ontario can start a home-services business once their status allows self-employment. Then register, insure, check licences and find first clients.
October 9, 2026
Local guides · 5 min
How to find reliable movers in Toronto and avoid moving scams
Toronto does not license movers, so check the written estimate, hourly rate, minimum, truck and condo elevator booking yourself. Costs and red flags.
October 9, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does interior painting cost in Ontario? (2026)
Interior painting in the GTA costs about $2 to $5.50 per sq ft of wall in 2026, or $400 to $900 a bedroom. Room and whole-house ranges, and how Doyo quotes.
October 9, 2026
For pros · 6 min
How much do electricians and HVAC techs make in Ontario?
Job Bank puts Ontario medians at $34.00 an hour for electricians and $37.00 for heating and AC mechanics (2023-24). Ranges, Toronto figures, what moves pay.
October 9, 2026
For partners · 7 min
What is a Doyo Area Partner? How territory partnerships work
A Doyo Area Partner holds a set of York Region postal areas, brings pros onto Doyo and earns a share of Doyo's fee. Partners never pay Doyo. Here is how it works.
October 6, 2026
For pros · 6 min
Contractor insurance in Ontario: CGL, WSIB, tools and vehicle cover
Most Ontario contractors carry $2M commercial general liability, WSIB if construction rules require it, tool cover and business-use auto. What each one does.
October 6, 2026
For partners · 6 min
How contractors can earn from their local network without paying fees
Ontario contractors earn from their network through referral fees, overflow sharing, subcontracting and partner programs. Keep it disclosed, taxed and free to join.
October 6, 2026
For pros · 7 min
How to get a Certificate of Qualification in Ontario (C of Q)
An Ontario C of Q comes from Skilled Trades Ontario after an apprenticeship or a Trade Equivalency Assessment and an exam. Compulsory trades need one to work.
October 6, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does basement finishing cost in Ontario? (2026)
Finishing a GTA basement costs about $35 to $80 per sq ft in 2026, and $80 to $150 for a legal suite. Bathroom, waterproofing and permit costs, and Doyo quotes.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 8 min
Why does my house smell like burning when the heat comes on?
A burning-dust smell on the first cold days is usually dust on the furnace and fades within hours. Burning plastic, smoke or rotten eggs is not normal.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 8 min
Why does my house smell like rotten eggs? What to do first
A rotten-egg smell can be gas, so leave and call Enbridge first. If it is not gas, it is usually a dry drain trap, smelly hot water or a failed toilet seal.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 7 min
Why do my lights flicker when the furnace or fridge starts?
A brief dim when a motor starts is usually normal. Whole-house flicker, lights that brighten or warm outlets point to a loose connection: call an electrician.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 7 min
Why are my windows wet on the inside in the morning?
Wet windows on cold mornings mean the air inside is too humid for the glass. Turn the humidifier down, run fans or the HRV. Fog between panes is a failed seal.
October 6, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does house cleaning cost in Ontario? (2026)
A regular house clean in Toronto and York Region costs about $150 to $340 a visit, or $40 to $65 per cleaner per hour. Deep cleans run $200 to $750.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 8 min
Why is there a puddle of water around my furnace?
Water by a furnace is usually a clogged condensate drain or trap on a high-efficiency furnace, a failed condensate pump or a leaking humidifier.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 7 min
What’s the clicking or ticking noise in my walls at night?
Ticking in walls at night is usually ducts or hot-water pipes expanding as the heat cycles. Scratching means mice; buzzing at a switch needs an electrician.
October 6, 2026
What’s wrong? · 7 min
Why does my basement smell musty in the fall? Causes and fixes
A musty basement in fall usually means humidity over 50% or rain getting in from full gutters, short downspouts or bad grading. When a dehumidifier is enough.
October 6, 2026
Who to call · 6 min
Who installs a bathroom exhaust fan: electrician, HVAC or handyman?
In Ontario, a licensed electrical contractor wires a bathroom fan; a handyman, roofer or HVAC crew runs the duct outside. A simple swap costs about $200 to $400.
October 6, 2026
Who to call · 6 min
Squirrels in the attic: exterminator or wildlife removal company?
Mice and rats go to a licensed exterminator. Squirrels and raccoons are wildlife in Ontario: removal companies may only capture and release within 1 km.
October 6, 2026
For partners · 8 min
Cleaning business on an open work permit in Canada?
Usually yes: an open work permit is not tied to one employer. Check the conditions on your permit, and know that self-employed time does not count toward CEC.
October 4, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Why does my toilet keep running? Causes and fixes
A running toilet almost always has a leaking flapper or a fill valve set too high. How to tell which with a dye test, what to fix, and when to call a plumber.
October 4, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How often should I change my furnace filter?
Check a 1-inch furnace filter monthly and change it every 1 to 3 months; a 4 or 5-inch media filter lasts 6 to 12 months. Signs it's dirty, and which MERV.
October 4, 2026
Who to call · 5 min
Clogged main sewer line: call a plumber or the city?
Toronto, Newmarket, Aurora, Markham and Richmond Hill want a call first; Vaughan wants a plumber first. Who owns which part of the sewer lateral, and who pays.
October 4, 2026
Costs · 6 min
Are gutter guards worth it? Cost in Ontario (2026)
Installed gutter guards in Ontario cost about $7 to $12 a foot for aluminum and $15 to $30 for micro-mesh in 2026. Which types work under maples, and the catch.
October 3, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Mice in the attic: why traps aren't working and what to do
Mice in the attic come back while the roofline gap stays open. How to confirm it's mice, seal soffits and vents, trap, clean insulation, and who to call.
October 3, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Outlet not working but breaker not tripped? What to check
A dead outlet with no tripped breaker is usually a tripped GFCI elsewhere on the circuit, a wall switch, or a loose wire. What to check first, and when to stop.
October 3, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much do movers cost in Toronto and the GTA? (2026)
Two movers and a truck cost about $120 to $180 an hour in Toronto in 2026; a one-bedroom move is often $450 to $1,100. Extra fees, condo rules and Doyo's rate.
October 3, 2026
Who to call · 6 min
Plumber or handyman: who fixes a leaking faucet in Ontario?
A dripping spout is usually a worn cartridge; a leak under the sink or a new faucet means the supply lines. Who to call in Ontario, what 306A means, and costs.
October 3, 2026
For pros · 6 min
How to price handyman jobs in Ontario: hourly or flat?
Price handyman work in Ontario from your real costs: insurance, van, unpaid hours, both halves of CPP and HST. Then pick hourly, flat rate or a minimum.
October 3, 2026
Who to call · 5 min
Who can replace a hardwired smoke detector in Ontario?
In Ontario only a Licensed Electrical Contractor can be paid to swap a hardwired smoke alarm. Homeowners may do it in their own home, not with a battery unit.
October 2, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
My furnace was red-tagged in Ontario: what does it mean?
A red tag means a gas technician found an unsafe condition. An A tag shuts the gas off now; a B tag gives you up to 42 days to repair before Enbridge cuts it.
October 2, 2026
For partners · 6 min
Register a business and HST number in Ontario (trades)
Register your trade name on the Ontario Business Registry ($60, five years), get a CRA business number, and register for HST once sales pass $30,000.
October 2, 2026
Costs · 7 min
What does a handyman charge per hour in Ontario? (2026)
Most GTA handymen charge $60 to $120 an hour in 2026, usually with a one-hour or $100 to $200 minimum. What drives the rate, and Doyo's $57.50 an hour price.
October 1, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How many carbon monoxide alarms does my Ontario home need?
Since January 1, 2026, Ontario homes with a furnace, gas appliance, fireplace or attached garage need a CO alarm on every storey and by every sleeping area.
October 1, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Basement floor drain backing up: causes and who pays
A floor drain backs up when your sewer lateral is blocked or the city sewer overloads in a storm. What to do first, who owns which pipe, and backwater valves.
September 30, 2026
Local guides · 6 min
Furnace repair in Richmond Hill: a homeowner's guide
Hire a TSSA-registered contractor with a G2 gas technician, ask Richmond Hill's Building Division about replacement permits, and know common repair costs.
September 30, 2026
Who to call · 5 min
Water heater problem: who do I call in Ontario?
If your Ontario water heater is rented, the rental company repairs it. If you own it, a plumber handles water and a TSSA gas technician handles gas.
September 30, 2026
Who to call · 5 min
Do I need a TSSA gas technician? BBQ lines and fireplaces
In Ontario, installing or servicing a gas BBQ line, fireplace, stove or furnace is work for a TSSA-registered contractor and a certified gas technician.
September 30, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Furnace short cycling: why it turns on and off
Furnace short cycling means heat cycles under 5 to 10 minutes, often from a clogged filter, a badly placed thermostat or an overheating furnace. What to check.
September 30, 2026
For pros · 9 min
How to get a G3 or G2 gas technician licence in Ontario
In Ontario you get a G3, then a G2, from TSSA: an accredited course, a 75% exam and a practical test. The 2025 rule changes, costs, and how long it takes.
September 30, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does move-out cleaning cost in Toronto? (2026)
Move-out cleaning in Toronto runs about $200–$350 for a one-bedroom and $400–$600 for a three-bedroom house in 2026. What's included, and Doyo's price.
September 30, 2026
Local guides · 6 min
How to book gutter cleaning in Newmarket before the frost
Book Newmarket eavestrough cleaning for late October to early November. What the Town's by-law expects, what it costs, and what to ask the cleaner.
September 30, 2026
Who to call · 6 min
Free furnace inspection call from Enbridge: is it real?
No. Enbridge Gas does not sell, repair or inspect furnaces. Who really checks your furnace in Ontario, how to spot the call, and what to do if you signed.
September 30, 2026
Local guides · 6 min
How to find a licensed electrician in Aurora, Ontario
In Aurora, hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor, check the ECRA/ESA number, and know that ESA, not the Town, issues electrical permits. Costs and questions.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
Water heater leaking from the bottom: what to do
Water under a hot water tank often means the tank has rusted through and must be replaced, but check the drain valve, relief valve pipe and fittings first.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Why does my breaker keep tripping? Causes and when to call
A tripping breaker is usually an overloaded circuit, often a space heater. If it trips with nothing plugged in, stop resetting it and call an electrician.
September 29, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does gutter cleaning cost in Ontario? (2026)
Eavestrough cleaning in Ontario costs about $150 to $225 for a bungalow and $185 to $400 for a two-storey home in 2026. What moves it, and Doyo's storey price.
September 29, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does a mouse exterminator cost in Ontario? (2026)
Getting rid of mice in Ontario usually costs $150 to $475 in 2026, up to $1,000 for severe cases; sealing is often extra. What drives it, and Doyo's price.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 6 min
Mice in the walls: signs, what to do, and when to call a pro
Scratching at night, droppings and gnawed food mean mice, and fall is when they move in. How to confirm it, trap and seal, clean up safely and when to call.
September 29, 2026
Fix it · 7 min
How to winterize an outdoor faucet (and why it still drips)
Shut the indoor valve, drain the tap and take the hose off before the first hard frost. What a drip after shut-off means, and when a burst tap needs a plumber.
September 28, 2026
Costs · 7 min
How much does snow removal cost in Ontario? (2026)
Snow removal in the GTA runs about $50–$150 a visit or $400–$900 a season for one driveway. On Doyo a visit is $86.25, salt included. Here is how to choose.
September 28, 2026
Costs · 7 min
How much does a plumber cost in Ontario? (2026 prices)
Ontario plumbers charge about $90 to $200 an hour, usually with a $90 to $200 call-out. Faucet, toilet and pipe repair ranges for 2026, and Doyo's set prices.
September 28, 2026
Local guides · 6 min
How to find a licensed plumber in Newmarket, Ontario
Check the 306A on the Skilled Trades Ontario register, know when Newmarket needs a plumbing permit, and what faucet or drain jobs cost in Newmarket.
September 28, 2026
Local guides · 5 min
How to find a good house cleaner in Markham, Ontario
Markham does not license house cleaners, so the checks are yours: ID, references, a written task list and a set price per visit. Costs and what to ask.
September 28, 2026
Local guides · 6 min
How to hire a handyman in Vaughan: permits, licences and prices
Vaughan licenses renovators and fence installers, attached decks need a permit, and a handyman cannot do wiring or plumbing. How to hire one and what it costs.
September 28, 2026
Costs · 7 min
How much does furnace repair cost in Ontario? (2026)
Furnace repairs in Ontario usually cost $150 to $1,200 in 2026, a tune-up $100 to $300. Part-by-part ranges, repair vs replace, and Doyo's $201.25 maintenance.
September 28, 2026
Fix it · 8 min
Why is my furnace blowing cold air? Causes and fixes
A furnace blowing cold air usually means a clogged filter, a fan set to ON, a blocked vent pipe or a dirty flame sensor. What to check, and when to call.
September 28, 2026
Who to call · 5 min
Electrician or handyman: who can install a light fixture in Ontario?
In Ontario only a Licensed Electrical Contractor can be paid to install a light fixture. Owners of a single home may swap one themselves. The ESA rules.
September 28, 2026
Costs · 7 min
How much does an electrician cost in Ontario? (2026)
GTA electricians charge about $100 to $150 an hour in 2026. Outlet, light fixture, pot light and 200 A panel upgrade ranges, ESA fees, and Doyo's set prices.
September 28, 2026
Costs · 6 min
How much does drain cleaning cost in Ontario? (2026)
Clearing a sink or tub drain costs about $150 to $350 in Ontario; a main line $250 to $650 and hydro-jetting up to $1,400. 2026 ranges and Doyo's $253 price.
September 28, 2026
For pros · 9 min
Joining Doyo as a pro: the complete onboarding guide
Every step to approval on Doyo: identity, police record check, trade licence and $2M liability insurance, what each must show, and how you get paid.
September 22, 2026
Doyo · 3 min
Book home services in your own words: the Doyo agent
How Doyo turns “the hot water is gone” into the right booking: typed or spoken, in English, French, Persian or Spanish, with the price shown first.
September 17, 2026
Seasonal · 5 min
The fall home maintenance checklist for the GTA
Eight jobs to do before winter in Toronto and York Region: gutters, furnace, outdoor taps, alarms and more, when to do each, and which ones need a pro.
September 15, 2026
For pros · 6 min
Working as an independent home-service pro in Ontario
Licences, insurance, HST and WSIB for tradespeople working for themselves in Ontario, what each one costs you, and how to get steady local jobs.
September 14, 2026
Seasonal · 4 min
Furnace maintenance before winter: what a tune-up includes
What a technician checks during a furnace tune-up, how often to book one, and the warning signs that your furnace needs attention before the first cold week.
September 12, 2026
Costs · 5 min
House cleaning cost in Toronto and York Region (2026)
What a house clean costs on Doyo in Toronto and York Region, fee included, how long a clean really takes, and the five things that move the price.
September 10, 2026
Your rights · 1 min
Ontario’s 10% rule when a contractor’s price goes up
Under Ontario law, a contractor cannot charge you more than 10% over their estimate without your agreement. Here is how it works, and what to do if it happens.
September 8, 2026
Safety · 4 min
Hiring an electrician in Ontario: check the licence
Electrical work for hire in Ontario must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. How to check a licence, and when a permit is needed.
September 5, 2026