Zone Réno

How to choose the right renovation contractor

A practical checklist to use before, during, and after meetings with contractors. Print it and bring it to every quote.

Most renovation projects that go wrong share the same root causes: no RBQ licence check, no written contract, or only one quote considered. This guide brings together what to actually verify before you sign, the questions to ask during the quote, a side-by-side comparison sheet for three contractors, and the red flags that mean you should walk away. Your entries are saved automatically in your browser.

Red flags: walk away

A single one of these signals justifies stopping right there, no matter how attractive the price.

Refusal to sign a written contract
No contract means no recourse. The Consumer Protection Act grants you certain rights only if the agreement is written. Without a contract, you are at the mercy of the contractor's good faith.
Quote 30 percent below the others
When three contractors quote within a tight range and a fourth is half price, that fourth one is either underestimating, omitting items, or planning to cut corners. Ask for a line-by-line breakdown and compare.
Pressure to sign quickly
Offer valid today only, I have a team available next week or else it slips to March, I need an answer by tonight: all of these angles exist to stop you from shopping around. A good contractor respects your need to compare.
No GST and QST on the quote
A quote without taxes signals under-the-table work. No official invoice means no recourse if something goes wrong, no insurance coverage, and no legal warranty. It is also a legal risk for you as the owner.
Request for cash payment
Legitimate for a small occasional advance, but unacceptable for the bulk of the contract. Cash leaves no banking trace. Combined with a quote without taxes, this is almost always under-the-table work.
No physical address, just a cell number
An established contractor has a business address (even a modest workshop or a home office registered with the enterprise registrar). A cell number alone, with no address, is someone who can disappear overnight.
Refusal to provide recent references
Any serious contractor is proud of their recent projects and freely gives you three clients to call. Refusal, or a list of references from five years ago, suggests there is something recent to hide.

During the meeting: questions to ask

Ask these of every contractor you meet. Note the answers in the comparison table below.

When can you start, and how long will the work take?
Ask for a start date, an end date, and a detailed schedule by phase. A serious contractor gives you a realistic calendar, not a vague you'll be next.
Who is my main contact on site?
You want to know who to talk to every day. If it is a site supervisor or foreman, ask for their name, phone number, and availability.
How many people will be on site, and who are your subcontractors?
Ask for the name and RBQ number of key subcontractors (plumber, electrician). Every subcontractor must hold their own licence and their own insurance.
What warranty do you offer, and is it in writing?
In Quebec, the contractor is liable for workmanship defects for at least one year after the work is completed. Many offer more. That warranty must be written into the contract, not just verbally promised.
How do you handle changes during the project?
Ask about the change order process. A good contractor requires written approval before any addition, with the extra cost and the impact on the timeline. This protects you from surprise invoices at the end.
What happens if you fall behind schedule?
Ask whether there is a delay penalty per day. At a minimum, insist that the end date be written into the contract and that valid causes for delay (weather, material delivery) be defined up front.

Comparison table for three contractors

Fill this table out as you meet contractors. Your notes are saved in your browser and stay private.

	Contractor 1	Contractor 2	Contractor 3
Company name
RBQ licence number
Licence subcategories
Year founded
Quote total (taxes included)
Proposed start date
Estimated project duration
Payment terms
Warranty offered (length, written or not)
Main subcontractors
Permits (who handles them)
Three recent references
Overall impression (out of 10)
Notes and observations

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How to choose the right renovation contractor

How to choose the right renovation contractor

Before you sign: the essential checks

Valid RBQ licence, if your project requires one

RBQ licence bond active

Civil liability insurance in force

Business registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar

No recent OPC complaints or active lawsuit

At least three recent, verifiable references

Portfolio of comparable projects

Written contract that complies with the Consumer Protection Act

Clear payment schedule tied to project milestones

City permit obtained (and by whom)

Red flags: walk away

Refusal to sign a written contract

Quote 30 percent below the others

Pressure to sign quickly

No GST and QST on the quote

Request for cash payment

No physical address, just a cell number

Refusal to provide recent references

During the meeting: questions to ask

When can you start, and how long will the work take?

Who is my main contact on site?

How many people will be on site, and who are your subcontractors?

What warranty do you offer, and is it in writing?

How do you handle changes during the project?

What happens if you fall behind schedule?

Comparison table for three contractors

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