7-minute read · by Philippe, who runs a home-service business in Québec
In Québec, you need a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) to carry out or have construction work carried out, or to offer to do so. The RBQ publishes every step on its site: this guide summarizes what a contractor should plan for, then what comes after, licence in hand.
General or specialty contractor
The licence is split into subcategories. A general contractor coordinates work and can hand it to specialty contractors. A specialty contractor does one type of work: roofing, excavation and so on. Electricians and plumbers obtain their licence through their corporations (CMEQ and CMMTQ), acting for the RBQ.
How to get an RBQ licence
- Choose the subcategories that match the work you will actually do.
- Designate a representative for each required knowledge area: you or someone in the business.
- Pass the qualification exams or have an equivalence recognized. They cover administration, site management, health and safety, and the technical side of each subcategory.
- Provide a bond whose amount depends on the licence type, and join a guarantee plan if you build new residential buildings.
- Pay the fees and file the application. The RBQ publishes current fees and delays.
Amounts and delays change: check rbq.gouv.qc.ca when you apply.
Your licence number, everywhere
Your licence number must appear on your quotes, contracts and advertising. Customers often check it in the RBQ’s public register before calling. Put it on your website, your Google profile and your texts: proof of seriousness that costs nothing.
Licence in hand: finding first customers
- A complete Google profile with exact categories and service area. See the Google profile guide.
- A text on every missed call, because at first you are on the site and on the phone at once.
- Every quote followed up: a new contractor cannot afford to lose the ones they have.
- A Google review after every job, to get off a zero-review profile.
That is what Crescendo’s contractor software does.