Comparing Contractor Bids for a Renovation Project in Quebec

Every year, Quebec homeowners spend billions of dollars improving their homes. Whether you are replacing a roof after a harsh winter, finishing a basement, or completely renovating a kitchen, one of the most important first steps is to shop around for quotes from several professionals.

However, receiving three or four documents with completely different formats, levels of detail, and prices can quickly make the process confusing. Is the cheapest quote hiding unexpected costs? Does the most expensive one guarantee better quality?

To make an informed decision without compromising your budget or your family’s safety, use a structured comparison method. This guide walks you through how to scrutinize a renovation quote, identify potential contractual issues, and choose the right general contractor or specialized contractor for your renovation project.

Step 1: Check Legal Compliance and RBQ Licensing

Source: RenoQuotes

Instead of honing in on the numbers, start by checking the administrative and legal status of each company. In Quebec, the construction industry is regulated to help protect consumers.

A quote from a contractor who does not meet the applicable requirements should be thrown out right away, regardless of the price.

Check the RBQ Licence Registry

Under Quebec’s Building Act, any general contractor or specialized contractor working in Quebec must hold a valid licence issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). The RBQ licence number must appear on documents such as estimates, quotes, contracts, statements of account, and contractor advertising.

Avoid relying solely on the number printed on the quote. Search the RBQ licence holder registry to verify:

• Licence status: Is it active, suspended, or cancelled?

• Appropriate licence subclasses: A contractor licensed only for painting, for example, cannot legally act as the contractor responsible for a full bathroom renovation involving plumbing and electrical work.

• Surety bond history: An RBQ licence includes a mandatory surety bond of $40,000 for a general contractor and $20,000 for a specialized contractor, which can compensate clients in certain cases where work is not completed.

• Surety bond claims: Check the number of claims involving the contractor and any bond compensation paid to previous clients.

Confirm Insurance and Liability Coverage

Accidents can happen quickly on a job site. A damaged copper pipe could flood the main floor, or a ladder could fall and damage a neighbour’s property. Without adequate contractor coverage, you could face additional liability risks.

Ask each contractor for proof of civil liability insurance and verify that the amount of coverage is appropriate for the nature and scope of your project.

When checking insurance, look at:

• Liability insurance: Make sure the coverage is sufficient for the size and type of project.

• Validity: Ask for a current insurance certificate issued by the insurer.

• CNESST coverage: Confirm that applicable worker contributions are in good standing.

Also check the company’s status with the CNESST and, where relevant, request the appropriate documentation to reduce risks related to the contractor’s obligations toward its workers.

Step 2: Compare the Scope of Work and Materials Included

Source: Construction & Rénovation Équilibre inc.

One of the most common mistakes when comparing renovation prices is looking only at the total at the bottom of the page without checking what is actually included. A $25,000 quote can end up costing more than a $30,000 quote if major parts of the project are excluded.

For example, consider two bathroom renovation quotes:

Quote A  — $22,000:

• Replacement of tile and plumbing fixtures. 

• No brands specified. 

• Excludes demolition, waste container, and waterproofing membrane.

Quote B — $27,000:

• Complete removal and Kerdi waterproofing membrane. 

• Porcelanosa 12 x 24 tile at $4/sq. ft. included. 

• Includes waste container, rough plumbing, and final cleanup.

Result: Quote A could lead to high additional costs once work begins.

Look for Detailed Specifications and Material Brands

A thorough renovation quote should clearly describe the products and materials being used. Beware of vague descriptions such as “supply hardwood flooring” or “install heat pump.”

For a proper comparison, look for:

• Exact brands and models: For example, “Fujitsu 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump” instead of simply “air-conditioning unit.”

• Budget allowances: If the quote includes a $3/sq. ft. tile allowance but you select tile costing $7/sq. ft., your final bill will increase accordingly.

• Quantities and areas: Make sure square-footage calculations for painting, roofing, or flooring are comparable from one quote to another.

Identify Exclusions and Waste-Management Costs

Unexpected costs often appear in the exclusions section. When shopping for renovation quotes, check whether the following items are included:

• Demolition and preparation: Is removal of existing finishes and concrete chipping included?

• Waste container and disposal: Are bin rental, municipal street-occupancy permits if required, and disposal fees included?

• Plumbing and electrical: Is connection to the main electrical panel included and carried out by the appropriate qualified trade?

• Final cleanup: Will the contractor leave the site broom-clean or ready for use?

Use a specialized platform to request renovation quotes from pre-vetted professionals for clear, concise, and more detailed offers.

Step 3: Evaluate the Payment Structure and Schedule

Source: Construction & Rénovation Équilibre inc.

Financial evaluation goes beyond the total project price. The way payments are structured can also tell you a great deal about how the contractor manages the project.

A reasonable payment structure could look like this:

• Contract signing: No deposit, if possible, or only a small amount.

• During construction: Progress payments tied to the actual project progress.

• Project completion: Final payment of approximately 10% to 15% once the work is fully completed and satisfactory.

Check How Taxes Are Presented

If the contractor is registered for GST and QST, the quote should clearly state whether taxes are included or added to the total price, and the relevant tax information should be available.

1. Currency: Prices should be clearly stated in Canadian dollars.

2. Tax registration: If the contractor collects GST and QST, verify that the business is properly registered and that the required tax information appears on the applicable documents.

3. Tax presentation: The quote should clearly show the price before tax or indicate that taxes are included so you can determine the total project cost.

A contractor offering a major discount in exchange for cash payment specifically to avoid taxes may be engaging in tax non-compliance and can make it harder to prove the terms of your agreement and your payments if a dispute arises.

Review the Deposit and Progress-Payment Schedule

One of the most important parts of comparing quotes is the proposed payment schedule.

The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) recommends, when possible, paying no deposit before work begins or limiting it to a very small amount. It also suggests withholding a final payment of approximately 10% to 15% of the total cost until the work is fully completed.

An example of a progressive payment schedule could be:

• Deposit at signing: Small agreed-upon amount, if necessary

• Payment 1 — material delivery/demolition: 30%

• Payment 2 — finishing/electrical/plumbing: 50%

• Final payment — after inspection and completion: 10%

* The percentages above are examples only and should be adjusted based on the deposit amount and the actual stages of the project.

A higher-risk payment structure may include:

• A 40% to 50% deposit at signing

• Full payment required before the work is completed

It is generally preferable to tie payments to measurable stages of progress rather than simple calendar dates.

To plan your project budget properly, you can also request a renovation cost estimate.

Step 4: Use a Weighted Quote-Comparison Scorecard

Source: RenoQuotes

To avoid making a decision based only on emotion or the lowest price, consider using a structured quote-comparison scorecard.

This approach assigns a weighted score to each offer based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Here is an example of a 100-point evaluation:

• Administrative compliance and RBQ licence: 20 points

• Quote detail and material quality: 25 points

• Total price and tax clarity: 25 points

• Schedule and compliance with OPC recommendations: 15 points

• Reputation, references, and experience: 15 points

Criteria to Compare: Price, Reputation, Warranties, and Schedule

You can use the following scoring system to evaluate each contractor:

The contractor with the best overall score is not necessarily the one offering the lowest price. The goal is to find the best balance between protection, quality, and cost.

To find qualified professionals willing to provide transparent quotes, you can compare screened contractors through a specialized platform.

Red Flags When Comparing Quotes

When reviewing offers, certain warning signs should prompt you to examine a quote more closely before accepting it.

Common red flags include:

• A quote that is significantly lower than the others without a clear explanation

• Missing RBQ licence number or inability to verify the licence

• A large deposit requested before work begins without a clear justification

• A one-page handwritten quote with little technical detail

• No stated start or completion date

• Strong pressure to sign the contract immediately

An unusually low quote deserves closer scrutiny. It may reflect significant exclusions, a different interpretation of the project scope, lower-cost materials, or expenses that could be added once work begins.

You can also consult legal guides published by Éducaloi for information about high-pressure or misleading sales practices.

Take Control of Your Renovation Project

Source: RenoQuotes

Taking the time to compare renovation contractor quotes using a structured method is one of the best ways to protect your project. By vetting contractors through the RBQ registry, requiring a detailed technical quote, following OPC recommendations on progressive payments, and withholding part of the payment until the work has been completed satisfactorily, you can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected costs and disputes.

A professional contractor should be able to provide the information you need to understand and compare their quote.