Most bad renovation stories in Quebec start the same way. Somebody hired a contractor who seemed fine, paid a deposit, and found out later the licence number on the quote didn’t belong to anyone. Or it belonged to a company that lost its licence two years ago.

Checking takes about two minutes. It’s free. And it’s the single cheapest piece of protection you’ll ever buy for a renovation. Here’s how to do it properly, and what to look for once you’re in.

What Is an RBQ Licence, and Who Needs One?

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) is the provincial body that licenses construction contractors. Under the Building Act, anyone who carries out construction work for someone else, or has it carried out, needs an RBQ licence unless the law specifically exempts them. That covers general contractors, specialized trades, and residential renovators. Bidding on jobs or advertising the service counts too.

A licence isn’t one size fits all. Each one lists classes and subclasses that spell out exactly what kind of work the holder can legally do. A general contractor’s licence for residential renovation is different from a plumbing or electrical licence, and the subclass has to match your project.

A few small jobs fall outside the system. Clearing a drain without modifying the plumbing doesn’t need a licence. Neither does refinishing kitchen cabinets, as long as nobody touches the structure. And homeowners doing work on their own primary residence (with no rental income from it) don’t need one either.

How to Verify an RBQ Licence in 5 Steps

1. Ask for the licence number

A legitimate contractor puts it on quotes, invoices, business cards, the truck and the website. It’s a 10-digit number, usually written as XXXX-XXXX-XX. If you have to ask twice, that tells you something.

2. Open the RBQ licence holders’ registry

Go to rbq.gouv.qc.ca and look for “Check a contractor’s licence.” It links to the Registre des détenteurs de licence. The registry itself is in French, but it’s simple to use. No account, no fee.

3. Search by licence number

Enter the number exactly as it appears on the quote. Searching by number is more reliable than searching by name, since plenty of companies share similar names.

4. Match the company name to your contract

The legal name in the registry should match the name on your contract, right down to “Inc.” or the numbered company. If the quote says one thing and the registry says another, ask why before you go any further.

5. Check the subclasses against your project

Pull up the list of subclasses and make sure the work you’re planning is actually covered. A contractor licensed for flooring has no business rebuilding your load-bearing wall.

What to Look for in the Results

The registry shows more than a yes or no. Each file lists the company name and contact details, its Québec enterprise number (NEQ), the licence classes and subclasses, the bond provider, and the people who hold the qualifications behind the licence.

Pay attention to the status. A licence can be valid, not valid (suspended, or cancelled in the last five years), or restricted, which means the company can’t bid on public contracts. Also look at the claims section. Outstanding or paid claims against the contractor’s bond mean a past client lost money and had to go after the guarantee.

Red Flags That Mean You Should Walk Away

• No number, or excuses about it. “It’s being renewed” or “I work under my cousin’s licence” both mean no.
• The number doesn’t match. A licence that belongs to a different company is a borrowed licence, and it won’t protect you.
• Suspended or cancelled status. Don’t sign. Full stop.
• Cash-only pricing and a big upfront deposit. Licensed contractors invoice. People avoiding paperwork usually have a reason.
• Pressure to sign today. A good contractor will still want the job next week.

What Happens If You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?

For the contractor, the fines are heavy. Working without a licence starts at more than $10,000 for an individual and more than $30,000 for a company, and the amounts climb from there. The RBQ has investigators who focus on residential renovation specifically.

For you, the real damage is what you lose. Every licensed contractor carries a bond that can compensate clients for lost deposits, unfinished work or defects found within a year of completion. If your contractor wasn’t licensed when you signed, that bond doesn’t apply. You’re left chasing the money yourself in court. Insurance claims can get messy too, and unpermitted work has a way of surfacing when you try to sell.

An RBQ Licence Isn’t Everything: What Else to Check

The licence proves a contractor is qualified and bonded. It doesn’t prove they’re good. So keep going.

Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and call the insurer to confirm it’s current. Get two or three references from recent jobs similar to yours, and actually phone them. Look at reviews across more than one platform. On larger jobs, ask whether the trades on site hold CCQ competency cards. And get everything in a written contract: scope, price, payment schedule, timeline and warranty.

FAQ

Is the RBQ registry free to use?

Yes. It’s public, free and doesn’t require an account.

Is the registry available in English?

The RBQ’s guidance pages are in English, but the registry search itself is in French. You only need the licence number to use it.

Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job?

If someone is doing construction work for you and getting paid for it, they almost certainly need a licence. The exceptions are narrow, so check before assuming.

Can a contractor’s licence be valid but wrong for my project?

Absolutely. That’s why the subclass check matters. A valid licence in the wrong subclass is treated the same as working without one.

Hire Once, Hire Right

Verifying a licence won’t guarantee a perfect renovation. It does rule out the worst version of one. Two minutes on the registry, a quick look at the subclasses and a few phone calls to references will tell you most of what you need to know before any money changes hands.

TD Renovations has been licensed and insured since 2011, and our RBQ number (5630-6731-01) is on every quote we send. Look it up. We’d rather you check.