An addition, a kitchen, a basement, a roof or a new build: choosing the contractor is the most important decision in your project. This guide is for Brossard homeowners and future buyers who want to avoid botched renovations. You will see how to check an RBQ licence, what a written contract should include, how to handle payments and what the new home warranty administered by GCR covers. Last checked: October 2026.
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In short
- Ask for the contractor’s Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) licence number and check it in the online registry.
- Get written quotes from three contractors, as the Office de la protection du consommateur suggests.
- Sign a detailed written contract and avoid large deposits: pay as the work progresses.
- For a new home, check that the contractor is accredited by Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR).
- Find out which permits the Ville de Brossard requires before you start.
Step 1: Check the RBQ licence
The RBQ encourages consumers to check whether their contractor holds a valid licence appropriate for the work. On the RBQ website, the Registre des détenteurs de licence lets you search by name or number. Each record shows, among other things:
- the name, contact information and Quebec enterprise number;
- the licence categories and subcategories (make sure they cover your work);
- the association or company providing the security bond;
- any pending claims or compensation paid;
- the list of respondents and their areas of qualification.
Check that the name on the contract matches the licence holder’s name exactly. For specialized work such as plumbing, also see our guide to finding a plumber in Brossard.
Step 2: Compare quotes
The Office de la protection du consommateur recommends clearly defining the project (with a plan for major work) and getting written quotes from three contractors. Each quote should describe the work and materials, itemize the costs, specify the payment terms and give the start and end dates. To find contractors ready to bid, you can compare quotes from local contractors, then check each company’s licence.
Other useful checks
- Ask for references from past clients and, if possible, visit a completed job.
- Be wary of a contractor who only gives a phone number, without a full address.
- Confirm that they hold civil liability insurance.
- Use the merchant information tool of the Office de la protection du consommateur (permits, interventions, formal notices).
Step 3: Insist on a written contract
The Office de la protection du consommateur recommends always asking for a written contract. Here is what it should contain:
| Contract item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Contractor’s name and address | Clearly identifies the responsible party |
| RBQ licence and permit numbers, if applicable | Ties the contract to the licence holder |
| Start and end dates | Sets the schedule |
| Commitment to comply with municipal by-laws and the building code | Ensures compliance |
| Liability insurance policy number and insurer | Coverage in case of damage |
| Detailed description of the work and materials (quote attached) | Avoids misunderstandings |
| Total price and payment terms | Avoids unexpected charges |
The Office also suggests adding a clause providing for the deposit to be refunded if the work is not completed by a given date, confirming that debris removal is included and requiring that any unplanned work be authorized by you beforehand.
Payments and deposits
- Avoid a deposit if possible, or keep it very small.
- Pay in instalments tied to the progress of the work.
- Hold back 10% to 15% of the price until the work is completed to your satisfaction.
Door-to-door sales and distance contracts
If the contract is concluded at your home following solicitation (itinerant merchant), it must be in writing and can be cancelled within 10 days. For a contract concluded by phone or online, a written contract must be sent to you within 15 days of the agreement. Outside these cases, you do not always have the right to cancel a signed contract: only sign once your decision is made.
New construction: the warranty administered by GCR
According to the RBQ, the guarantee plan for new residential buildings covers all new houses and many new condos, provided the building is built by a contractor who holds an RBQ licence and is accredited by Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR), the plan’s authorized administrator. It protects deposits of up to $50,000 and covers construction defects. You can check in the GCR directory that the contractor is accredited and that the project is registered. See the RBQ’s information on buying or having a new house or condo built on the RBQ website.
For a building that is not held in divided co-ownership, the Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings provides in particular for:
- non-apparent poor workmanship discovered within one year of acceptance;
- latent defects discovered within three years of acceptance;
- faulty design, construction or production and soil defects that appear within five years of the end of the work.
In all cases, the problem must be reported in writing within a reasonable time. The rules differ for condominiums: read your warranty contract.
Frequently asked questions
Can an unlicensed contractor do my renovations?
The RBQ recommends dealing with a contractor who holds a valid and appropriate licence. Without a licence, you lose, among other things, access to the security bond in the event of a dispute.
Does the GCR warranty cover renovations?
No. The plan applies to new residential buildings. For renovations, your protection rests on the RBQ licence, the security bond, your contract and the Consumer Protection Act.
How many quotes should I get?
The Office de la protection du consommateur suggests three written quotes.
Do I need a permit from the City?
Many types of work require a permit in Brossard. See our guide to renovation permits and the Ville de Brossard website.
What should I do in case of a dispute?
Put your requests in writing, contact the Office de la protection du consommateur and, if needed, file a claim against the security bond with the RBQ.
Going further
Before renovating, estimate the impact on your budget with the property tax calculator and check house and condo prices in Brossard. After the work, think about carpet and duct cleaning. Also explore Brossard’s sectors and all our home services.
This is general information, not legal advice. Last checked: October 2026.
brossard.city is an independent guide, not affiliated with the City of Brossard. Information is provided for general guidance only; check with official sources before making any decision. Spotted an error? Let us know.