In this article
Why the RBQ licence matters to you
In Quebec, a contractor who performs construction work, or has it performed, must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). To get it, the company's designated officer passes qualification exams, and the company provides a licence security (bond). Without a licence, you lose your main recourse if the work goes wrong.
Where to find the licence number
The law requires contractors to display their number on their website, advertising, business cards, quotes, contracts and invoices. It is a ten-digit number. A quote with no number is already a red flag.
The 5 points to check in the registry
The registry is free to search online, by company name or by number. The company's record answers the following five questions.
1. Is the licence valid?
The registry shows three statuses. Valid: the company can work. Not valid: the licence was suspended or cancelled. Restricted: the company cannot bid on a public contract, but can work for a homeowner. A company that never held a licence simply does not appear.
2. Do the subclasses cover your work?
Each licence lists subclasses. General contractor subclasses (those starting with 1) allow a company to coordinate an entire job site. Specialized subclasses limit the company to one trade. A ceramic tile specialist, for example, cannot take on a full bathroom renovation that includes plumbing and electrical work.
3. Does the name match the contract?
The record gives the holder's legal name, often a numbered company, and the other names it uses. The contract must be signed with that entity and show that licence number. To claim against the licence security, the RBQ requires a contract that shows the exact name and number.
4. Who provides the licence security?
The record names the organization that bonds the company. This licence security is $40,000 for a general contractor and $20,000 for a specialized contractor. A draft regulation published in February 2026 proposes to raise it. Check the amount in force when you sign.
5. Are there any claims?
The registry shows claims paid out of the licence security in recent years. One claim does not disqualify a company, but ask what happened. Several claims are a reason to look elsewhere.
What the licence security covers, and what it does not
The licence security compensates a client when the contractor does not finish the work, does not refund a deposit or delivers faulty work. For a defect, the problem must be noted within 12 months after the work ends. The amount is shared among all claimants against the same company: it is a safety net, not full insurance.
Contractors who build new homes (subclasses 1.1.1 and 1.1.2) have no licence security: their clients are protected by the mandatory guarantee plan. That plan does not apply to renovation. This is why a written contract and a valid licence are your two main protections.
Red flags before you sign
- No licence number on the quote, or a number you cannot find in the registry
- A "no tax" price if you pay cash
- You are asked to get the permit yourself, in your own name
- A large deposit before any materials are ordered
- No written contract, or a contract with no schedule and no description of the work
An example: our registry record
Dilamco holds licence 8306-0806-27, issued in 2004 and valid with no restriction. The holder is 9139-1250 Québec inc., which operates under the names Dilamco and Construction Dilamco. Our general contractor subclasses, 1.2 and 1.3, cover the renovation of houses and buildings. You can view our record and repeat every check in this article. Our about page also details our insurance.