Renovations: Required licences and trade certifications
Thinking of entrusting your renovations to a contractor? See what you need to check about the licences and competency cards of the people you hire.
Is a contractor’s licence mandatory for residential renovation work?
In Quebec, any general or specialized contractor hired for residential renovation work must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). In fact, their licence number must appear in advertisements, on business cards, and even on vehicles bearing the company name. Make sure that the licence is still valid by consulting the RBQ licence holder repertory.
Tip: Also visit the RBQ website to see the list of jobs that don’t require a licence.
General or specialized contractor: Which one to choose?
Even if they can carry out some work themselves, general contractors often organize and coordinate work handled by specialized contractors. In other words, they can manage the whole worksite, unlike specialized contractors, who must stick to their own specialty. That said, a specialized contractor can also call on another type of contractor to handle work related to their own. For example, a plumber who has pierced walls during the installation of pipes can hire a finishing contractor to repair them.
Refer to the RBQ website to find out exactly what general and specialized contractor licence holders are authorized to do. You’ll also find definitions of all licence subcategories.
What licenses are required for each type of project?
Outside work
Work done outside your home usually doesn’t require a licence. Here are a few examples:
Residential landscaping, such as paving a driveway
Construction of a terrace not attached to the house
Good to know: As soon as features are attached to the building, or any electrical or plumbing work is required, a licence is required.
Painting or demolition
Painting or demolition work requires a 9.0 licence (finishing work) for painting.
Demolition can be carried out by a general contractor, a worksite contractor (licence 2.7) or a specialized contractor, as long as the latter only carries out demolition work for which he is authorized. For example, a structural masonry contractor may undertake a contract to demolish exterior masonry cladding.
Piping and drains
No licence is required for unblocking pipes and scouring drains, as long as the worker does not tamper with the piping.
Home theatre
Installing a home theatre system does not require a licence. However, if wires or accessories need to pass through a wall or floor, or are integrated into the building, a 17.2 licence (intercommunication, telephone and surveillance) is required.
Cabinets and counters
Restoration and transformation of kitchen cabinets and the like are outside the scope of the RBQ if no modifications are made to the building. Otherwise, the 12.0 licence (manufactured cabinets and countertops) may be relevant.
Locks
A locksmith doesn’t need a licence to repair a lock, but he does need to hold a permit from the Bureau de la sécurité privée. If their work involves modifying a door, they need an 8.0 licence (doors and windows).
Association, corporation or body requirements
While many projects do not require a licence, they may be subject to the requirements of associations, corporations or regulatory bodies. This is particularly true of these jobs:
Air or water analysis (Ministry of Environment)
Preparation of renovation plans (Régie du bâtiment du Québec)
Tree felling (Municipal by-laws)
Some other jobs instead require certificates of competency. In landscaping, for instance, an excavator operator or a cement applicator must have the appropriate certificates of competency.
For which jobs are CCQ competency cards required?
To begin with, you should know that the official term is competency certificate. It is issued by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), and entitles its holder to work on a construction site governed by Bill R-20 (Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and workforce management in the construction industry). The competency certificate guarantees that the holder has undergone the required vocational training (or possesses the necessary experience) and successfully passed an examination. Find out under what circumstances the certificate is required.
Owner’s residence
No competency certificate is required for work carried out in a single-family home or dwelling, as long as the owner occupies the premises and does not generate any income from it.
Income housing
A CCQ competency certificate is required for any work carried out in a rental dwelling or during the extension of a house.
Electricity, oil and gas
A relevant competency certificate is required for electrical work or work involving appliances running on oil or gas, regardless of whether the work is carried out in the owner’s home or in a rental dwelling.
If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact CAA-Quebec’s Residential Advisory Services.
Why is it important to get a renovation permit?
Whereas licences and competency cards ensure that you hire the right people to carry out your work, a permit issued by your municipality guarantees the safety of the occupants, compliance with zoning, and heritage preservation (for certain duly identified buildings).