FAQs

Housing

I have to choose a restoration contractor. How can I find somebody qualified?

You can obtain names via local builders’ or renovation contractors’ associations or at your construction material retailer. Are you planning to renovate your kitchen or bathroom? You should preferably choose a contractor specialized in this field. He will have particular expertise as well as an excellent knowledge of the materials to use and the problems which could occur. Word of mouth is another good way of finding a credible, qualified contractor. Talk to friends, neighbours or colleagues. Ask them about the reliability of the people they hired, the quality of their work and their experience in general.

Warning: You must make sure that the contractor you intend to hire holds a construction contractor’s licence issued by the Régie du batiment du Québec. Before issuing the licence, the Régie checks the candidate’s competency in the areas of administration and safety, as well as his knowledge of the technical aspects of the work covered by the licence. It also verifies the candidate’s financial standing. It is important to note that a general contractor must have all electrical and plumbing work carried out by a specialized contractor with the appropriate licence, also issued by the Régie, which makes a registry of licenced contractors available to the public. In the case of an electrician and a plumber, you must also verify whether they are members of their respective corporations, by contacting to the Corporation des maîtres electriciens du Québec and the Corporation des maîtres en tuyauterie du Québec Lastly, it is strongly recommended that you choose a contractor who is well-established and highly respected – rather than one who advertises his services on the Internet and disappears soon after.