Become a builder in Canada

How to become a builder in Canada and Quebec?

To build any type of buildings in Quebec, whether you are business people or an individual who wants to build his own house as a self-builder, it is necessary to hold an RBQ construction license, whether it is as an entrepreneur in construction or as an owner self-builder. This license is granted by a Quebec Government agency called the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec or RBQ, which establishes the requirements to follow.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur wishing to create or purchase a construction business it is very important to address the RBQ to know about the steps to follow on how to become a builder in Quebec.

Some options on how to become a builder:

• Pass the exams: in the very first place, the notion of public safety and of guarantor is very important to understand before becoming a building contractor. To ensure public safety, the RBQ emits a construction license through a person who is called guarantor and who has passed the examinations: building code, technical, administrative and security of the construction, which are prescribed by the RBQ. It is this person who has passed the examinations and who holds a certain ratio of participation in the company that allows the company to obtain an RBQ license. In most cases it is the owner of the contractor company and/or the shareholders who are respondents. Note that it is possible to have multiple respondents;

• Call upon a respondent: It is possible to buy a construction company from another contractor or create a new one without passing the exams. In this case, it is still necessary to have a sponsor in the business who has passed the examinations any time during the operations of the construction company. It is recommended that the entrepreneur and the respondent call upon a lawyer specializing in construction law Canada to draw up an agreement outlining the terms, responsibilities and commitments between the sponsor and the owner entrepreneur of the business;

• An RBQ license for a project, and not for a company: it is possible to obtain an RBQ license to carry out a specific project. Once the project is completed, the license expires.

These explanations on how to become a building contractor are very simplified and to respond better to them it is advisable to go directly to the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec.

While you are waiting to figure out how to become a builder in Quebec, Construction Daniel Dargis Inc. can take care of everything. Not only of construction management and the project but also the installation of the project with plans, specifications and estimates, act as general contractor or as a respondent to build your project. We offer business people a comprehensive A to Z 5 level program to build their projects.

Do not hesitate to contact us!