Who does the work?

Once the house and the materials have dried off, it’s time to rebuild. You can do it by yourself or hire a specialized and licenced contractor. Whether you carry out the rebuilding work by yourself or hire a contractor, make sure to follow the different regulations. 

If you do the work by yourself

You can do some of the work yourself. However, work related to electricity, gas and petroleum equipment must be entrusted to specialized contractors holding valid licences in the appropriate subclasses. 

If you hire a contractor

Only contractors holding a building contractor’s licence are authorized to carry out construction work and offer financial guarantees. When you hire a licenced contractor, you are eligible for licence security, which ensures compensation for damages as a result of faulty performance or non-performance of construction work.

Make sure your contractor holds a valid licence in the appropriate subclass for the work you wish to carry out. To do so, consult the Licence holders’ repertory, or call us at this toll-free number: 1-800-361-0761.

Moreover, if your contractor must hire subcontractors, they must also hold the appropriate licence for the work they carry out. Do not hesitate to ask your contractor for the list of subcontractors he intends on hiring for your rebuilding work. Similarly, you can check whether they hold a valid licence in the appropriate subclass by consulting the Licence holders’ repertory, or by calling us at this toll-free number: 1-800-361-0761.

Hourly rates recommended by the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ)

The hourly rates required by a contractor are largely fixed by collective agreements applicable in the construction industry according to specific areas of activities:

• Plumbing
• Pulsed air and hydronic (hot water) heating systems, including natural gas and oil burners
• Refrigeration
• Fire protection
• Ventilation and instrumentation
• Control systems and regulation

Consult the CMMTQ’s basic hourly rates for pipe fitters, refrigeration mechanics, tinsmiths and fire-protection mechanics [Fr].

Hourly rates recommended by the CMEQ

The CMEQ calculated how much an electrical contractor should charge, taking into account how much it costs him to serve his customers. The price for materials and furniture as well as taxes must be added to hourly rates.

Consult the CMEQ’s hourly rates recommended for construction electricians [Fr].

Note that an electrical contractor does not have to follow these recommendations, and may therefore charge a different rate.