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. Here's how to verify licenses, insurance, and references.

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, with no recourse because the original contractor had no license.

What a reliable contractor has

  • Valid RBQ license for the specific work
  • Current professional liability insurance
  • Government business number
  • Verifiable positive reviews
  • Clear written contracts

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.

The cost of a bad contractor exceeds the quote

Hiring an unqualified or uninsured contractor doesn't save money; it costs more. Poor work quality means repeat repairs. No insurance means the owner is liable if an accident occurs. A few hours of vetting upfront saves thousands later.

What you get

Selection of reliable, qualified contractors
License and insurance verification
Legal protection for owner
Fewer budget overruns

How it works

01

Verify RBQ license

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

02

Verify insurance

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

03

Call references

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

04

Written contract

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Select good contractors. Save thousands.

Jones evaluates and selects qualified contractors for your building.

Areas we serve

Jones evaluates contractors for owners across Montreal and the region.