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.
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
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.