Interior Decorating & Home Staging Licensing in Quebec

Interior decorating and home staging are not regulated in Quebec and no RBQ contractor licence is required. The work is cosmetic — colour, furnishings, layout, and styling — and does not involve structural, building-code, or permit scope. This differs from interior design: the certified title 'Designer d'intérieur certifié APDIQ' is controlled by the Association professionnelle des designers d'intérieur du Québec (APDIQ), a voluntary professional association, though the generic term interior designer is not a reserved title under a professional order. Decorators and stagers may hold voluntary credentials, but these are not legally required. Business registration with the Registraire des entreprises and standard liability insurance are recommended.

Ask to see a portfolio of comparable projects and a written scope. Confirm whether furnishings or staging rentals are included and how any product markups are disclosed.

(1) No portfolio or before-and-after examples of comparable work (2) Vague pricing with no written scope, deliverables, or staging rental terms (3) Pressure to buy specific products without disclosing markups or commissions (4) No clear plan for staging install, rental period, and removal logistics

(1) Can I see a portfolio of decorating or staging projects like mine? (2) What is included in your fee, and are furnishings or rentals extra? (3) For staging, what is the rental period and what happens if the home takes longer to sell? (4) Do you source and purchase items, and how is any product markup handled? (5) How do you work with my budget and existing furniture?

While not legally required, it is strongly recommended that interior decorating & home stagings carry liability insurance. Ask for proof of coverage before hiring.

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 interior decorating & home stagings in Quebec range from $75-$200/hour (consultation rate). Scope (single room vs. whole home), occupied vs. vacant staging, square footage, how much rental furniture and decor is required, length of the staging rental period, and whether sourcing and purchasing are included. Vacant staging costs more because it includes furniture rental, delivery, and pickup. Decorating that involves procurement adds product markups. These are indicative ranges; confirm current pricing with local decorators and stagers, as fees vary by market and scope.