If you renovate your house or your "condo"

Beware!

If you intend to do electrical work or installation work of a gas handling or gas powered equipment, you have the obligation of doing business with a specialized contractor who holds the appropriate licence class.

If you call upon a contractor to do renovation work on your dwelling, you must ensure that he/she holds the appropriate licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). If so, you will benefit the protection offered by the licence security if a problem arises.

For renovation work on your condo, you are restricted by law to your own unit. We recommend that you give notice of your intentions to the syndicate of co-owners.

If you carry out the renovation work yourself

If you carry out some expansion or renovation work yourself, no licence is required. However, if you intend to do electrical work, or installation work on a gas handling or gas powered equipment, you have the obligation of doing business with a specialized contractor who holds the appropriate licence subclass.

Remember that if you perform renovation work by yourself you will not benefit any legal protection.

Points to consider when doing business with a contractor

Make sure you are doing business with a contractor who holds a building contractor’s licence issued by the RBQ [Fr], the CMMTQ or the CMEQ. Moreover, make sure that the name of the contractor shown on the contract matches the name of the enterprise that holds the licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
Get bids from more than one contractor.
Contact former clients to get their opinion of the contractor’s work.
Insist on a contract that has a precise description of the work to be done and a performance schedule.
Make the smallest deposit possible.
Hold back your last payment until all the work is completed to your satisfaction.
If you suffer damage covered by the licence security, send a formal demand for performance to the contractor without delay, preferably by registered mail.
Keep the proof of delivery; it will be useful if you decide to bring legal proceedings.