If you are not satisfied with the construction or renovation work done by a contractor who has a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, you can file a complaint with the Régie.
Before filing a complaint, you should first try to reach an agreement with the contractor. If the latter is unwilling to collaborate, check whether the contract you signed is protected by a contractors association, and if so, contact it. If there is no protection offered, send the contractor a demand letter (by registered mail), taking care to:
- outline your complaint
- set out what you want done, based on the specifics of your contract
- allow a reasonable period for him to correct the situation
If by the end of that period the contractor has not shown that he will collaborate, you can file a complaint with the Régie.
When the Régie receives your complaint, it sends the contractor a written request that he address the problem. The contractor then has 10 days to tell you in writing what measures he will take to correct the situation.
If the contractor still does not collaborate, he is notified that a complaint has been filed against him that could enter into consideration in the Régie’s evaluation and professional qualification process.
If no agreement is reached, you should take legal action. You can then file a claim with the Régie for compensation under the contractor’s licence security (see definitions).
Unlicensed Contractor
If you are not satisfied with construction work done by an unlicensed contractor, you cannot file a claim with the Régie for compensation under a licence security. You can however take legal action, for example in Small Claims Court. You can also inform the Régie that the contractor is working without a licence.
Construction of a New Residential Building
If you are not satisfied with construction work done on a new residential building, check the website of the Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings. The Guarantee Plan covers all new houses and most new condos.
Inspection
The Régie’s inspectors do not make on-site visits to check the quality of work, except under special circumstances and if the work is subject to inspection under the Québec Construction Code (e.g. electricity, gas, lifting devices).
Licence Security
A financial guarantee required by the Building Act that a contractor applying for a licence must post with the RBQ, the CMEQ (for electricians) or the CMMTQ (for pipe mechanics). Its purpose is to guarantee the performance of a contractor’s obligations toward its clients. For consumers, the licence security represents an extra measure of protection, since it ensures compensation in the event of faulty performance, incomplete performance, or non-performance of work for which payment has been made.
Since the clientele and requirements depend on the service, this information is provided under each service.
The Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings has been mandatory since 1999.
