Estimates, quotes and contracts
Checking a renovation contractor in Canada: licences, insurance and WSIB or WorkSafeBC clearance
Which provinces license renovation contractors, Quebec's RBQ, Alberta's prepaid contracting licence, trade licences, liability insurance and workers' compensation clearance letters.
Whether a renovation contractor needs a licence depends on where you live. Quebec requires construction contractors, including renovators, to hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for the subclasses of work they do. Alberta requires a prepaid contracting business licence for businesses that sell home improvement contracts away from their place of business and take payment before the work is complete. British Columbia licenses residential builders of new homes through BC Housing under the Homeowner Protection Act, which generally does not cover renovations of existing homes. Most other provinces have no general provincial licence for renovators, so the checks that matter are municipal business licences where they exist, licensed trades for electrical, gas and (in some provinces) plumbing work, liability insurance, and workers' compensation status.
This guide belongs to the estimating method. Use the quote checklist to record what you verified, and see comparing renovation quotes for where these checks fit.
Licensing by province (summary)
| Jurisdiction | General renovation contractor licence? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | Yes: RBQ licence with subclasses by type of work | RBQ public register: licence valid, subclasses match the work |
| Alberta | Prepaid contracting licence when selling away from the business premises and taking payment before completion | Alberta's licensed business search; ask to see the licence |
| British Columbia | No general renovation licence; new-home residential builders are licensed by BC Housing | Municipal business licence; Technical Safety BC for electrical and gas work |
| Ontario | No general provincial renovation licence; new-home builders are licensed separately | Municipal licence where required (some cities license renovators); licensed electrical contractor; registered gas technicians |
| Other provinces and territories | Generally no provincial renovation licence | Municipal rules; trade licences; workers' compensation board |
Rules change. Confirm with the official body in your province before relying on this table.
Quebec: the RBQ licence
- Ask for the RBQ licence number and check it on the RBQ register, confirming the licence is valid and covers the work (general contractor or the relevant specialty subclass).
- Check that the name on the contract matches the licence holder.
- Know that the licence comes with licence security of $20,000 (specialized subclasses) or $40,000 (general subclasses), which can compensate clients in limited cases such as deposits lost, unfinished work or poor workmanship found within a year; the amount is shared among all eligible claimants.
- Electrical and plumbing work in Quebec is carried out by contractors who belong to the relevant professional corporations (the CMEQ for electrical and the CMMTQ for plumbing and heating); ask which ones are involved.
Trade licences outside Quebec
Even where renovators do not need a provincial licence, some work must be done by licensed people and inspected:
- Electrical: in Ontario, by a licensed electrical contractor with a notification or permit to the Electrical Safety Authority; in BC, under Technical Safety BC permits. Other provinces have equivalent systems.
- Gas: gas lines and appliances must be installed by certified gas technicians or fitters (for example under TSSA rules in Ontario or Technical Safety BC).
- Plumbing: plumbing is a regulated trade in several provinces; your building permit's plumbing inspection is the practical check.
Ask the contractor who will do this work and how it will be permitted and inspected.
Liability insurance
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing the business's legal name, the insurer, the policy period and the general liability limit. Liability insurance responds when the contractor's work damages your property or a neighbour's, or injures someone who is not a worker. Ask whether the policy covers the specific type of work, and tell your own home insurer about the renovation.
Workers' compensation clearance
Provincial workers' compensation boards (WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC, WCB Alberta, CNESST in Quebec and others) insure workers against workplace injuries. Many let you obtain a clearance certificate or letter showing a contractor is registered and in good standing. In some provinces, a person who hires a contractor that is not in good standing can become responsible for unpaid premiums, and the treatment of homeowners hiring for their own residence differs from that of businesses. The rules differ by board, so:
- ask the contractor for a current clearance certificate or letter, or look it up on the board's website,
- check again before the final payment on a longer job,
- read your board's guidance on homeowners hiring contractors.
Other checks
| Check | How |
|---|---|
| Legal business name and address | Provincial business registry; match against the contract |
| GST/HST registration | CRA GST/HST Registry (and QST validation in Quebec) |
| References | Ask for jobs similar to yours and speak to the owners |
| Complaints | Your provincial consumer protection office may publish enforcement actions |
| Permits | Ask who will apply; check the permit is posted on site |
Worked example: the cost of skipping checks
Illustrative only. An owner accepts a $28,000 "cash" bathroom-and-hall job instead of a $33,900 written quote with HST ($30,000 + $3,900). The crew causes a leak into the kitchen ceiling ($2,500 to repair), and a later buyer's inspector questions unpermitted plumbing, costing $1,800 to open, inspect and close. With no insurance, warranty or permit to rely on, the owner pays $28,000 + $2,500 + $1,800 = $32,300, nearly the written quote, with none of its protections and no receipts for the work.
Related guides
Once a contractor passes these checks, the next documents to get right are the contract and the payment terms: see the renovation contract checklist and deposits, holdbacks and payment schedules.
FAQ
How do I check an RBQ licence?
Search the RBQ's online register of licence holders by name or number and confirm that the licence is valid and that its subclasses cover your work.
Does Ontario license general contractors?
Not at the provincial level for renovations. Some municipalities license renovators, and electrical and gas work must be done by licensed or certified people.
Is membership in a trade association a licence?
No. Associations and private accreditations can be useful, but they are not government licences.
Sources
- Régie du bâtiment du Québec — licence register and licence security
- BC Housing — licensing of residential builders under the Homeowner Protection Act
- Government of Alberta — prepaid contracting business licence
- Electrical Safety Authority — licensed electrical contractors in Ontario
- Technical Safety BC — electrical and gas permits in BC
- WSIB Ontario — clearance certificates
- WorkSafeBC — clearance letters
- CNESST — workplace health and safety in Quebec
