RBQ licence
You're handy, you've been renovating for years, and you're wondering if it's time to make it your career. One question comes up fast: "Do I need an RBQ licence?"
The answer depends on one thing: do you want to start your own business, or work on a team? Here's what that changes, no beating around the bush.
Who needs an RBQ licence?
In Quebec, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) requires a contractor's licence from anyone who, for others, carries out or has construction work carried out, or who submits bids for that work. In other words: if you deal directly with clients for construction work, it's up to you to hold the licence.
Source: Régie du bâtiment du Québec, The licence.
What the licence really takes
Getting your licence is a real business project. Among other things, you have to:
- demonstrate your skills, in management as well as in the relevant category of work, through exams or recognized training;
- provide the required financial guarantees and pay the licence fees;
- complete mandatory continuing education once you hold the licence;
- and, day to day, run a business: insurance, taxes, quotes, invoicing, finding clients.
For some people, that's exactly the challenge they want to take on. For many others, it's a lot of time and money before the first paying job.
The other path: working on a team
When you're an employee of a renovation company, you're not the one doing business with the client: the company is. You don't need your own contractor's licence to practise your trade. Your energy goes into doing the job right, not into paperwork.
One caveat, though: some work remains reserved for regulated trades. Electrical and plumbing work, for example, require specific qualifications. At Beau-frère à louer, our handymen don't do that work: for those jobs, we rely on licensed partners.
At Beau-frère à louer: four ways to practise your trade without starting a business
We're hiring in Greater Montréal, Gatineau and Québec City. In business since 2009, with more than 2,500 clients served over the past three years and a 4.4-star rating on more than 350 Google reviews: the clientele is there, and our call centre finds the clients, takes the calls and prepares the appointments.
- Handyman: you fix things, we take care of the clients. $26/h, 35 paid hours every week, guaranteed from day one, daytime, Monday to Friday. See the job
- Residential Maintenance Lead: a role for graduates and final-year students of the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) in General Building Maintenance. You inspect the homes in a portfolio, build their maintenance plan and make sure it's followed. $28.50/h as a lead, possible after 6 months. See the job
- Handyman Pro: for experienced tradespeople. You manage your own schedule and quotes, and a team sends you the clients. $50,000 to $80,000 a year, with earnings tied directly to your work. See the job
- Trade Specialist: painter, carpenter-joiner or refrigeration mechanic? Our divisions PatchNPaint (painting), Cabanon-Remise A9 (sheds) and Koomfo (air conditioning) are looking for tradespeople. Terms depend on your trade and experience; for air conditioning, a refrigeration mechanic certificate is required. See the jobs
Every job has its own terms, spelled out in black and white on its page. What applies to one doesn't necessarily apply to another.
Already have your licence and your own business?
Electrician, plumber, roofer or specialist in a trade we don't offer: our members need you. Work with the Beau-frère à louer network and receive requests in your specialty. Become a partner.
Key takeaways
- The RBQ requires a contractor's licence from anyone who, for others, carries out or has construction work carried out.
- Getting your licence means demonstrating your skills, providing financial guarantees and running a business.
- As an employee of a renovation company, you don't need your own contractor's licence.
- At Beau-frère à louer: four ways to join us, in Greater Montréal, Gatineau and Québec City. Licensed companies: become partners.
Connect-forces
Practise your trade. We'll handle the rest.
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