Professional contractor with visible licenses and insurance

Repair Coordination Montreal

Complete Guide: Vetting and Selecting Contractors

Choosing the wrong contractor is expensive: poor work quality, budget overruns, delays. This guide explains how to verify licenses, insurance, references, and select reliable contractors in Montreal.

Free Assessment (514) 779-1956

Fear of the bad contractor

An owner hires a contractor from Kijiji for roof replacement. The contractor starts, then abandons halfway. The owner hires someone else to finish, paying double. The original contractor can't be sued because they had no license. Without clear criteria for evaluating contractors, owners take huge risks. Jones helps you verify licenses, insurance, history, and references before hiring.

What is a reliable contractor?

A reliable Quebec contractor has: a valid RBQ (Régie du Bâtiment du Québec) license for the specific work, current professional liability insurance, government business number, verifiable positive reviews, clear written contracts, and references who answer when you call. Contractors refusing these documents are red flags.

Who needs this?

Owners who've never hired a contractor and don't know how to evaluate. Those who've had bad experiences. Managers wanting to standardize their selection process. Anyone wanting to avoid costly problems.

The cost of a bad contractor exceeds the quote

Hiring an unqualified or uninsured contractor doesn't save money; it costs more. Poor workquality = repeat repairs. No insurance = owner liable if accident. No contract = owner has no legal recourse. A few hours of vetting upfront saves thousands later.

Required licenses and insurance in Montreal

In Montreal/Quebec, major construction/repair work requires RBQ licensing. Plumbing, electrical, heating: mandatory licenses. Painting, carpentry: less strictly controlled but a license is a positive signal. Liability insurance is mandatory for all. A company refusing to show these documents shouldn't be hired.

What you get

Selection of reliable, qualified contractors

License and insurance verification

Legal protection for owner

Quality work guaranteed

Fewer budget overruns

Legal recourse if problems arise

Peace of mind during repairs

Historical list of reliable contractors

How it works

Verify RBQ license

On the RBQ website, verify the license is valid for the specific work type.

Verify insurance

Request proof of professional liability insurance. Call insurer if doubtful.

Call references

Call at least 3 previous clients. Ask specific questions about quality, timeline, budget overruns.

Written contract

Never hire verbally. Clear written contract: scope, quote, timeline, payment conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify an RBQ license?

On www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca, 'Verify a license' section. Enter contractor name and verify the license is valid.

Is insurance mandatory?

Yes, for renovation/construction work. The contractor must have professional liability insurance.

What's a good quote?

Detailed (exact work description), with clear price and timeline. Includes materials and labor. Not handwritten on paper.

What if a contractor has no license?

Red flag for regulated work (plumbing, electrical, heating). For painting or minor carpentry, less critical but still risky.

What to ask in a contract?

Exact scope (included/excluded), price, work hours, start/end dates, payment terms, damage liability, insurance.

Select good contractors. Save thousands.

Jones evaluates and selects qualified contractors for your building.

Vet a Contractor (514) 779-1956

Related services

Complete Repair Coordination Emergency Protocols Repair Budgeting All services

Areas we serve

Jones evaluates contractors for owners across Montreal and the region.

Montreal Plateau-Mont-Royal Westmount Outremont All service areas →

Our offices

Côte-des-Neiges Office - 3250 Ridgewood Ave LaSalle Office - 8901 Newman Blvd