ArtBuild template ArtBuild template · All of Canada
Deposit terms review
Read what the contract says about the deposit.
- Version
- 2026.1
- Last updated
- October 24, 2026
Prepared by ArtBuild to help you organise your paperwork. It is general information, not legal advice, and it has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Check the rules for your province or territory before you act.
Part of the Construction Deposits and Refunds Kit: start with its guide, and download the whole kit there.
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Read the deposit term in context
Collect the entire agreement and sales history. Identify the purpose of the payment, the obligations it supports and whether consumer rules may apply. The words deposit, advance, retainer and nonrefundable are facts to review, not automatic legal outcomes.
- Project parties and jurisdiction
- Residential or commercial purpose
- Contract date formation channel and location
- Exact deposit clause and related definitions
- Deposit amount and payment schedule
- Cancellation refund and default provisions
- Contract copy delivered when and how
| Record | Evidence reference | Unresolved point |
|---|---|---|
| Sales representation | [enter] | [enter] |
| Signed terms | [enter] | [enter] |
| Receipt and allocation | [enter] | [enter] |
| Later variation | [enter] | [enter] |
Record the legal application review
| Question | Reviewer conclusion | Source and facts |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory consumer rules | [to check] | [enter] |
| Effect of deposit wording | [to check] | [enter] |
| Permitted deduction categories | [to check] | [enter] |
| Refund trigger and timing | [to check] | [enter] |
| Trust or segregation requirements | [to check] | [enter] |
Fictional issue: the quotation says deposit, the signed agreement says advance against milestones, and an email describes it as nonrefundable. Preserve all three records and ask the reviewer to resolve the conflict.
- Reviewer name jurisdiction and date
- Remaining facts or documents
- Authorized interim action
- Next review trigger
No default cancellation period or permitted retention percentage is supplied. Unverified wording must not be presented as legally approved.
Before you act: this document is general information prepared by ArtBuild to help you organise facts and paperwork. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer for your situation. Rules differ by province and territory and change over time. Check the official source for your project, and for deadlines, liens, court or insolvency steps, speak with a lawyer licensed where the project is located.