According to the Association de la Construction du Québec (ACQ), a construction contractor must meet certain requirements before beginning to provide his services.
First, he must ensure compliance with the law relating to buildings, the building code, the safety code and the regulations of the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).
It must also comply with the Canadian Building Code; the Commission des normes de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CNESST); the Bureau des soumissions déposées du Québec (BSDQ) and the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
Meeting their requirements will allow you to start your work as a construction contractor on the right foot.
RBQ License
With so much information it seems like a long process, but don’t worry, meeting the requirements as a building contractor is no more complicated than putting a building together.
First, you must visit the Régie du bâtiment du Québec or RBQ. They will provide you with all the information regarding the requirements you must meet to acquire a licence.
There are several types, and in the Quebec area it is important to have one to practice as a construction contractor.
You can apply for general contractor, special contractor, general owner builder and specialized builder-owner licenses.
However, the RBQ will provide you with a guide to determine the license that best suits your area of performance as a construction contractor.
A strategic move may be to choose the general contractor’s license, which covers more general aspects, but it is best to know each one first-hand.
To obtain a license it is important to adhere to a training program, which is intended to prepare you as a future construction contractor.
Depending on your area of interest, you may choose to train in, for example, construction company management or project and construction management.
There are also courses related to occupational health and safety, or building construction, to mention a few.
These courses are facilitated by various entities authorized by the RBQ. It is best to consult directly with them so that they can give you a recommendation from the entities that have their approval.
In case you do not take a course, it will be necessary for you to comply with an exam issued by the RBQ, or to present to them a professional record that fulfills the requirements they have requested.
Register the company
To obtain a license it is also necessary to have a legal figure, register your entity.
A business plan is also important to determine what type of license as a construction contractor you can apply for.
This business plan will be an excellent tool to find a source of financing as well.
It is also important that you consider paying a license fee that will be required to operate.
This works as a guarantee to compensate, in case you do not comply with it efficiently. But since it does not include liability insurance for damages to third parties, it is important to have one.
Consider bonds and insurance as a key aspect to your success, even if they are not mandatory. In case of an unforeseen event while working as a construction contractor you can solve it, without aggravating the situation.