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 they address the problem. The contractor then has 10 days to tell you in writing what measures they will take to correct the situation.
If the contractor still does not collaborate, they are notified that a complaint has been filed against them that could be considered by the Régie in its 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 Division of the Court of Québec. 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 covered by the Québec Construction Code (e.g. electricity, gas, lifting devices).
Licence Security
A financial guarantee required by the Building Act that every contractor applying for a licence must post to guarantee the execution of their obligations toward their clients. Contractors must post the security with:
- the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, or
- the Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec or Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec
For consumers, the licence security represents an additional measure of protection since it provides compensation in the event of faulty performance or non-performance of construction work.
The Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings has been mandatory since 1999.
