Fire and Smoke Restoration Licensing in Quebec

Fire and smoke restoration does not have a specific provincial licence requirement in Quebec. The industry standard is IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certification, including Fire and Smoke Restoration and Odor Control credentials, which insurers commonly expect. Mitigation work such as soot cleaning, deodorization, and contents pack-out is unregulated, but any structural reconstruction, electrical, or plumbing repairs performed during restoration must be carried out by contractors holding the appropriate RBQ licence and, for electrical work, a CMEQ member contractor. Workers handling hazardous residues follow CNESST occupational health and safety rules. Most work is coordinated with property insurers.

Ask which IICRC certifications the technicians hold, confirm liability insurance, and verify that any reconstruction is done by an RBQ-licensed contractor. This matters most when filing an insurance claim.

(1) No IICRC certification or verifiable fire and smoke restoration experience (2) Cannot provide proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage (3) Pressures you to sign over your insurance claim before assessing the work (4) Begins cleanup without documenting damage and contents for the insurer (5) Subcontracts electrical or structural repairs to unlicensed workers

(1) What IICRC certifications do your technicians hold for fire and smoke restoration? (2) Do you carry liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and can you show proof? (3) How do you document damage and work directly with my insurance company? (4) What is your emergency response time for board-up and mitigation? (5) Will licensed trades handle any electrical, plumbing, or structural repairs?

Yes, fire and smoke restorations in Quebec are expected to carry liability insurance.

In Quebec, most contractors performing construction work must hold an RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) licence. You can verify any contractor's licence on the RBQ's online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca. Always ask for the licence number and verify it before hiring.

Typical rates for fire and smoke restorations in Quebec range from $75-$200/hour (crew and equipment). Extent and type of fire (kitchen, electrical, structural), volume of soot and smoke penetration, water damage from firefighting, contents affected, deodorization method, structural repairs required, and whether the work is coordinated through an insurance claim. Emergency mitigation (board-up, tarping, water extraction) is billed before full restoration. These are indicative ranges; fire-loss costs vary widely with severity and are usually set through an insurance adjuster, so confirm figures with your insurer and a restoration assessment.