Before you sign, make three non-negotiable checks: a valid RBQ licence with the right subcategory (free to look up online), a detailed written contract, and the smallest deposit possible.
Then look for recent, verifiable reviews and photos of real projects, and talk to past clients.
The most common fear before a renovation? The contractor who takes the deposit and disappears, walks off a half-finished job, or does sloppy work. It happens, but most of it can be prevented with a few simple checks.
This guide walks you through them in order, with links to the official tools. They apply to any contractor, including us.
Why does this matter so much in Québec?
Because problems are common. In 2021, home construction, maintenance and renovation services ranked 4th out of some 70 sectors for complaints to Québec's consumer protection office, the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC), according to Protégez-Vous.
In January 2026, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), which licenses contractors, also issued a public warning about people and companies offering renovation work without a licence. Its advice: check the licence and insist on a detailed written contract with a schedule.
Step 1: How do you check an RBQ licence in 2 minutes?
The RBQ's licence holder register is free and public (the site is in French; look for « Registre des détenteurs de licence »). Search by business name or licence number, then check three things:
- The legal name matches the one on your quote. Some people use another company's licence number. If the names don't match, ask why.
- The subcategories cover your work. A licence is split into subcategories by type of work. A roofing contractor, for example, isn't licensed to redo your whole kitchen.
- The licence is valid, and will stay valid for the length of the job.
According to the RBQ, the register also shows the number of bond claims and the compensation paid out for that contractor over the past five years. That's worth knowing.
If the company isn't in the register, stop there. The RBQ also asks the public to report unlicensed work.
A concrete example: our licence number is 5798-4619-01. Go check it yourself. A serious contractor will give you their number without hesitation.
What does the RBQ bond cover (and not cover)?
Every licensed contractor must carry a bond, a kind of financial guarantee that can compensate clients. According to the RBQ, it's $40,000 for a general contractor and $20,000 for a specialty contractor.
The catch: that amount is shared among every client who files a claim against the same contractor, pro rata. Protégez-Vous, citing a 2021 report by Québec's Auditor General, says the bond is insufficient in most cases.
It doesn't cover everything either. The RBQ notes, for example, that delays, moral damages and lawyers' fees are excluded.
A draft regulation published in February 2026 proposes raising the bond to $60,000 for general contractors and $30,000 for specialty contractors. As far as we can verify, it hasn't been adopted yet: the amounts in force remain $40,000 and $20,000.
Bottom line: a licence is the minimum, not full protection. That's why the next steps matter.
Step 2: How do you check a company and its track record?
- Québec's enterprise register (Registraire des entreprises): confirm the business exists, under what name, and who runs it.
- The OPC's Se renseigner sur un commerçant tool: it shows complaints and formal notices on file for a business.
- Google reviews: look for recent, detailed reviews that describe a real project. A handful of vague ones doesn't prove much.
- Photos of real projects and, ideally, past clients you can call. Éducaloi also suggests asking people you know for recommendations.
- A real business address and a phone number that gets answered.
- Liability insurance: ask for the insurer's name and the policy number.
Ask about subcontractors too. According to Protégez-Vous, a contractor doing your plumbing must be a member of the CMMTQ (Québec's master pipe-mechanics corporation), and one working on your electrical system must hold a licence from the CMEQ (Québec's master electricians' corporation). Ask who does what.
Step 3: How do you compare quotes the smart way?
Get 2 or 3 quotes, broken down line by line, for the same project. That way you compare what's included, not just the total.
To compare apples to apples, make sure each quote describes the same work and the same materials. Read the exclusions too: the permit, debris removal or repairing walls after demolition are sometimes left out. If a line is vague, ask for clarification in writing. The answer tells you a lot about how that contractor communicates.
The cheapest quote isn't always the best one. A very low price often hides a missing line, lower-grade materials or “extras” down the road. And be wary of anyone pushing you to sign today.
Want a detailed quote to compare? We'll come see your project and walk you through every line.
Book a consultation →Step 4: What must the contract include?
The RBQ is clear: insist on a detailed written contract and schedule, and put any verbal agreement in writing. According to Protégez-Vous, a good contract includes at least:
- The contractor's contact details, RBQ licence number and GST/QST numbers
- Their liability insurance: insurer name and policy number
- A detailed description of the work and materials, with the quote attached
- The total price and a staged payment schedule
- Start and end dates
- A commitment to follow the building code and municipal bylaws
- Who gets the permit
- Clean-up and debris removal
- The warranties offered
Add a clause on changes: anything that changes mid-project should get a written change order, with its price, before the work is done.
One last point people often miss: according to Éducaloi, a subcontractor or supplier the contractor didn't pay can register a legal hypothec (a lien) on your house. Before the final payment, ask for proof that everyone has been paid.
Step 5: How much of a deposit should you pay a contractor in Québec?
For an ordinary contract, there's no legal maximum percentage, according to Soumission Rénovation. The Civil Code actually says the client pays when the work is accepted, unless the contract says otherwise.
The OPC recommends, where possible, paying no deposit before work begins, or keeping it very small. Éducaloi also advises “the smallest deposit possible.”
- Progress payments, tied to real, verifiable progress on the job.
- A final holdback, around 10–15% according to the same source, paid once everything is finished and inspected.
- For custom materials (cabinets, countertops), you can ask to pay the supplier directly.
Special case: if the contractor approached you at home (an itinerant merchant under Québec law), they generally can't ask for a deposit during the 10 days after you receive the signed contract, with some exceptions.
What are the 7 red flags you should never ignore?
| Red flag | Why it's risky | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No licence, or won't give the number | They're working illegally, and you lose access to the RBQ bond. | Look the company up in the RBQ register. No licence, no contract. |
| Cash “without taxes” | No record of payment: you can't prove what you paid. | Pay with a traceable method and get an invoice that shows the taxes. |
| Large deposit before work starts | If they vanish, your money goes with them. | No deposit or a small one, then payments tied to progress. |
| No written contract | In a dispute, it's your word against theirs. | Insist on a detailed contract with a schedule before any work starts. |
| Pressure to sign today | A “today only” offer stops you from comparing. | Take the time to get 2 or 3 quotes. |
| No business address | Hard to track down if something goes wrong. | Check the address in Québec's enterprise register. |
| No verifiable reviews | Nothing shows they've ever finished a job. | Ask for references and photos of real projects. |
Sources: RBQ, Soumission Rénovation, Éducaloi.
How do we work at Construction Hibou?
Construction Hibou is a licensed and insured general contractor (RBQ licence 5798-4619-01), founded in 2021 and working across Greater Montreal. You deal with one project lead, from the first call to the end of the job.
Every project follows four steps: consultation, planning the budget and schedule with you, execution, then handover with a final walkthrough together. Here's what two clients wrote on Google (in French):
“Avec lui, tout est clair : pas de surprise, pas de demi-vérités, pas de promesses floues.”
Mioomioo G, Google review. Our translation: “With him, everything is clear: no surprises, no half-truths, no vague promises.”
“Belle expérience de rénovation avec des gens compétents, ayant des solutions à proposer, des gens qui tiennent parole.”
Eric, Google review. Our translation: “A great renovation experience with skilled people who bring solutions and keep their word.”
See our work in the gallery, read all our Google reviews or learn more about us. We handle residential renovation, commercial renovation and construction, including in Terrebonne, Saint-Laurent and Brossard (pages in French).
Working on your budget? Read our guide How much does a renovation cost in Montreal in 2026.
