Home Renovation Licensing in Quebec

General renovation contractors in Quebec must hold the appropriate RBQ licence. This is a key difference from Ontario, where general renovation contractors are not required to hold a provincial licence. The RBQ licence ensures the contractor has demonstrated competence in safety management, administrative management, and construction work management. Multiple regulated trades are involved: electrical work requires a CMEQ-licensed contractor, plumbing requires a CMMTQ-licensed contractor, and gas work requires an Emploi-Québec certificate of qualification. For new residential construction, builders must be accredited with the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR). Building permits are required for most renovations involving structural, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC changes.

Ask for the contractor's RBQ licence number and verify it on the online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca. Verify sub-trade credentials directly.

(1) No written contract with detailed scope, timeline, payment milestones, and change order process (2) Demands more than 10-15% deposit before any materials are ordered or work begins (3) No building permits pulled for work that clearly requires them (4) Cannot provide references or a portfolio of completed projects of similar scope (5) Subcontracts all work with no on-site project management or supervision

(1) Can I see your portfolio and speak with references for similar projects? (2) Who will be the on-site project manager, and how often will they be present? (3) What is the payment schedule, and is it tied to completion milestones? (4) Which subtrades will you use, and are they all licensed and insured? (5) What is your process for handling change orders and unexpected discoveries?

Yes, home renovations 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 home renovations in Quebec range from $60-$120/hour (varies by trade). Scope of renovation (cosmetic refresh vs. full gut vs. structural changes), square footage, number of rooms involved, material quality (budget vs. mid-range vs. premium finishes), structural changes (removing walls, adding rooms), plumbing and electrical upgrades, permit requirements, engineering fees, and project management. Labour accounts for approximately 40% of total cost. A 10-15% contingency fund is essential. Toronto and GTA renovations cost 15-25% more than smaller Ontario communities. Economies of scale apply to larger projects.