Before You Sign a Furnace Quote: 10 Things to Check

November is when furnaces quit and quotes get signed in a hurry. A few minutes with the quote now can save you a surprise bill or a contract you can't get out of.

What a new furnace costs in the GTA

Ranges from our furnace cost guide, checked November 2026. Not a quote.

10 things a complete furnace quote spells out

1. Brand, model number and efficiency (AFUE). "High-efficiency furnace" isn't a model.
2. Size in BTUs, and how it was sized. A proper heat-loss calculation beats "same size as the old one".
3. The permit, and who pulls it. Most replacements need one. Get it in writing.
4. Removal and disposal of the old furnace.
5. Venting and flue work, especially when moving from mid- to high-efficiency.
6. Gas line connection and any changes needed.
7. Thermostat: included, reused or extra?
8. Condensate drain for high-efficiency units.
9. Warranty in writing: parts and labour separately, and who registers it with the manufacturer.
10. A TSSA-certified gas technician doing the gas work. Ask for the certificate number.

Your rights if someone knocks on your door

Since March 2018, Ontario has banned unsolicited door-to-door sales of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and similar products. A company can't sign you up at your door unless you contacted them first. If you invited a company in and signed a contract at home, you generally have a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel for any reason. For help, contact Consumer Protection Ontario at 1-800-889-9768.

Should you replace it with a heat pump instead?

There's no rebate for a straight gas-furnace swap. A cold-climate heat pump, or a hybrid that keeps your furnace as backup, can qualify for up to $2,000 in a gas-heated home (see this week's rebate story). Ask for both prices before deciding.