u/Billy_0621

I'm a sole proprietor in Ontario running a small service business, with $2M CGL + E&O insurance. Drafting my own client agreement and have 3 quick questions:

1. Is a liability cap tied to my insurance policy limit generally enforceable in an Ontario service contract? (If I write that clause into my contract, will a court actually respect that cap, or can a client still sue me for more than my insurance limit despite what the contract says?)
2. As a sole prop, should I sign as "[Name], operating as [Business Name]" rather than the business name signing alone?
3. Is a plain-language mutual indemnification clause (client responsible for undisclosed property issues) generally enforceable for a small contract like this, or does it need specific wording?

Not asking for a full review — just sanity-checking these three points. Ontario-specific input appreciated.

LOCATION: Ontario, Canada.

I'm a sole proprietor running a small service business, with $2M CGL + E&O insurance. Drafting my own client agreement and have 3 quick questions:

1. Is a liability cap tied to my insurance policy limit generally enforceable in an Ontario service contract? (If I write that clause into my contract, will a court actually respect that cap, or can a client still sue me for more than my insurance limit despite what the contract says?)
2. As a sole prop, should I sign as "[Name], operating as [Business Name]" rather than the business name signing alone?
3. Is a plain-language mutual indemnification clause (client responsible for undisclosed property issues) generally enforceable for a small contract like this, or does it need specific wording?

Not asking for a full review — just sanity-checking these three points. Ontario-specific input appreciated.

Basic idea: homeowners who travel a lot or have second homes need someone reliable to check on their property while they're away. Weekly visits, checking for leaks, storm damage, making sure everything looks lived in, that kind of thing. Insurance actually often requires this kind of documented visit for vacant homes, so there's a built in reason people need it, not just a nice to have.

Couple things I'm still figuring out. Pricing is completely open right now, I haven't locked anything in and want to see what the market will actually bear before committing to a number. Also thinking through whether to offer extras like starting cars periodically or grocery stocking before someone gets back, versus keeping it a tight simple service.

Has anyone here used a service like this, hired one, or thought about starting one? What would make you trust a new company with your house for months at a time? And is this actually a business people will pay real money for, or is it a nice idea that falls apart once you look closely?

Basic idea: homeowners who travel a lot or have second homes need someone reliable to check on their property while they're away. Weekly visits, checking for leaks, storm damage, making sure everything looks lived in, that kind of thing. Insurance actually often requires this kind of documented visit for vacant homes, so there's a built in reason people need it, not just a nice to have.

Couple things I'm still figuring out. Pricing is completely open right now, I haven't locked anything in and want to see what the market will actually bear before committing to a number. Also thinking through whether to offer extras like starting cars periodically or grocery stocking before someone gets back, versus keeping it a tight simple service.

Has anyone here used a service like this, hired one, or thought about starting one? What would make you trust a new company with your house for months at a time? And is this actually a business people will pay real money for, or is it a nice idea that falls apart once you look closely?

Basic idea: homeowners who travel a lot or have second homes need someone reliable to check on their property while they're away. Weekly visits, checking for leaks, storm damage, making sure everything looks lived in, that kind of thing. Insurance actually often requires this kind of documented visit for vacant homes, so there's a built in reason people need it, not just a nice to have.

Couple things I'm still figuring out. Pricing is completely open right now, I haven't locked anything in and want to see what the market will actually bear before committing to a number. Also thinking through whether to offer extras like starting cars periodically or grocery stocking before someone gets back, versus keeping it a tight simple service.

Has anyone here used a service like this, hired one, or thought about starting one? What would make you trust a new company with your house for months at a time? And is this actually a business people will pay real money for, or is it a nice idea that falls apart once you look closely?

Servicing greater Toronto area neighborhoods.

Basic idea: homeowners who travel a lot or have second homes need someone reliable checking on their property while away. Weekly visits, checking for leaks, storm damage, keeping the place looking lived in. Many insurance policies require documented checks for vacant homes or coverage can be denied.

The product is the documentation, not the visit. Every visit gets a timestamped report with photos, something homeowners can hand to their insurer. The walkthrough is just how the record gets collected.

Not housesitting. No one lives in the home, scheduled visits only, insured.

Still open: pricing, and whether to add extras like car starts or grocery stocking.

Curious if anyone's used something like this or thought about starting one. What would make you trust a new company with your house for months?

Edit: Not mansions, $2–4M range homes, southern Ontario. Yes, this overlaps with property managers, house managers, and informal coverage from lawn/cleaning crews, several of you made that point fairly. Targeting homes that don't already have that in place, not the top tier with full household staff.

Hey guys. My MP notes came back and they said the bring forward date on my application is July 29th.

What does that mean?

I hold both a BOWP and an employer-specific francophone mobility work permit, both currently active. CEC PR has been in security screening since Dec 2025 (I've been put into comprehensive security screening)

Can I legally run/earn from my own business under the BOWP since it's open, while my employer WP stays active separately as I work my full time job? Does this create any conflict with my PR application?

Looking for advice, anything helps. Thanks!

I hold both a BOWP and an employer-specific francophone mobility work permit, both currently active. CEC PR has been in security screening since Dec 2025 (I've been put into comprehensive security screening)

Can I legally run/earn from my own business under the BOWP since it's open, while my employer WP stays active separately as I work my full time job? Does this create any conflict with my PR application?

Looking for advice, anything helps. Thanks!

I'm launching a home watch service — checking in on properties for homeowners who travel frequently (security walkthroughs, signs of damage, coordinating with landscaping/snow removal, etc.) in the Greater Toronto Area.

I'm working with an insurance broker on a general liability policy ($2M CGL + E&O), but wanted to hear from anyone who's actually run something similar:

• Did your policy cover incidents involving keys/alarm codes you held for clients? Any gaps you found out about the hard way?
• If you refer/coordinate with independent contractors (landscapers, snow removal, etc.) rather than employing them, how did you handle the liability line between your business and theirs?
• Anything you wish you'd asked your broker before binding the policy?

Trying to get this right before I take on my first client rather than learn the gaps after something goes wrong. Appreciate any real-world experience.

I'm launching a home watch service — checking in on properties for homeowners who travel frequently (security walkthroughs, signs of damage, coordinating with landscaping/snow removal, etc.) in the Greater Toronto Area.

I'm working with an insurance broker on a general liability policy ($2M CGL + E&O), but wanted to hear from anyone who's actually run something similar:

• Did your policy cover incidents involving keys/alarm codes you held for clients? Any gaps you found out about the hard way?
• If you refer/coordinate with independent contractors (landscapers, snow removal, etc.) rather than employing them, how did you handle the liability line between your business and theirs?
• Anything you wish you'd asked your broker before binding the policy?

Trying to get this right before I take on my first client rather than learn the gaps after something goes wrong. Appreciate any real-world experience!