Builders · Sainte-Adèle, Laurentides
RBQ contractors in the Laurentides
Anyone building or renovating a building in Québec must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Here's how to verify a contractor's licence on the official registry, what the licence categories mean for your chalet project, and the list of RBQ contractors referred by Project Heritage in Sainte-Adèle.
The RBQ registry: what it is and why it's mandatory
The RBQ registry is the public database maintained by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, the provincial body that has regulated the construction industry since 1992 (Building Act, RLRQ B-1.1). Any contractor or owner-builder performing construction work in Québec — a new chalet, an addition, a foundation, a septic system, or a major renovation — must hold a valid RBQ licence in the relevant sub-category.
Hiring a contractor without a valid RBQ licence exposes you to several risks: contract nullity, refused GCR warranty (Québec residential construction guarantee), refused home insurance, and personal liability for site accidents. The registry lets you verify in under 30 seconds whether a licence is valid, in which categories, and whether the company has been the subject of complaints or disciplinary sanctions.
Search by licence number, business name or NEQ. Free service.
How to verify a contractor's RBQ licence
The verification takes under 2 minutes and must be done before signing any construction contract.
1.Obtain the RBQ licence number
Ask the contractor for their RBQ licence number (format XXXX-XXXX-XX, e.g. 5824-1234-01). Any legitimate contractor displays this number on quotes, invoices, vehicles, and their website. If they refuse or hesitate, treat it as an immediate red flag.
2.Open the RBQ registry online
Visit the RBQ public portal (rbq.gouv.qc.ca > Verify a licence). The service is free, available 24/7, and no account is required. You can search by licence number, business name, or Québec enterprise number (NEQ).
3.Verify the licence is ACTIVE and covers your project
On the record, confirm the status reads 'Active' (not 'Suspended', 'Cancelled', or 'Pending'). Then check the sub-categories: for a rental chalet, you want at minimum 1.1.1 (general contractor) or the specialised sub-categories matching the work (1.4 carpentry-joinery, 5.1 plumbing, etc.). A licence in a category that doesn't cover your project is as good as no licence.
4.Review the complaint and sanction history
The RBQ record lists processed complaints and disciplinary measures (fines, suspensions, restrictions). One or two old complaints aren't disqualifying; a pattern of recent complaints or a recent disciplinary sanction is. Cross-reference with a Google search on the company name and a financial-health check at the Québec Enterprise Registrar.
RBQ licence categories for a chalet project
Sub-categories define what a contractor is authorised to build. For a new rental chalet, the relevant categories are:
1.1.1General building contractor — covers all new-building construction work, including subcontractor coordination. This is the primary category for a turnkey chalet.1.1.2Specialised building contractor — a more restricted variant; sufficient for a project without major subcontractor coordination.1.4Carpentry-joinery — wood structure, floors, stairs, interior finishes. Often held by subcontractors engaged by the 1.1.1.1.5Masonry — block foundations, fireplaces, chimneys.2.1Excavation and earthworks — foundations, drains, septic, road access.5.1Plumbing — supply, drainage, septic and well connections.
What about owner-building (constructeur-propriétaire)?
Owner-building is legal in Québec — you may build your own residence without an RBQ licence, provided four criteria are met: (1) you own the land, (2) the building is intended for your personal use or that of a close family member, (3) you have not built more than one building in the past 5 years under the owner-builder status, and (4) you file an online declaration with the RBQ before work begins.
Important: the owner-builder status is incompatible with short-term rental if the residence is not your principal residence or that of your immediate family at the time of construction. For a chalet intended for Airbnb rental, owner-building is therefore rarely a viable option — engage a licensed 1.1.1 contractor instead.
RBQ contractors referred by Project Heritage
Heritage receives no commission from these contractors. The referral is free, and you remain free to engage any RBQ-licensed contractor of your choice — this is an explicit term in the deed of sale of your land.
Our list of partner contractors active in Sainte-Adèle and the MRC des Pays-d'en-Haut is currently being validated. Contact us for personalised referrals based on your budget and timeline.
Request a referralFrequently asked questions
What does RBQ mean?
RBQ stands for Régie du bâtiment du Québec. It is the government body that has regulated the construction industry in Québec since 1992, under the Building Act (RLRQ B-1.1). It issues the mandatory licences for operating as a construction contractor in Québec, maintains the public registry of these licences, and handles consumer complaints.
How do I verify a contractor is properly RBQ-licensed?
Ask for the licence number (format XXXX-XXXX-XX), then look it up on the RBQ public registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca. Verify the 'Active' status, the covered sub-categories, and the complaint history. A contractor who refuses to provide their RBQ number or whose licence does not appear in the registry has no legal right to build your chalet.
How much does it cost to build a chalet in the Laurentides in 2026?
For a turnkey four-season chalet of 1,800 to 2,400 sq ft at Project Heritage, plan for between CAD $600,000 and $850,000 depending on finish level. This includes foundation, structure, envelope, interior finish, septic, and well. See our detailed guide on the cost to build a four-season chalet in the Laurentides for the line-item breakdown.
Does Heritage impose a specific contractor?
No. Heritage sells the land — you then choose the RBQ contractor, architect, and builder of your choice. Free choice of builder is an explicit term in the deed of sale. Heritage can refer RBQ contractor partners active in the area, but no contractual obligation ties you to them.
Can I build my chalet myself (owner-builder)?
Legally yes, under four conditions: own the land, intend the building for personal or family use, have built only one building in the past 5 years under this status, and file an RBQ declaration before work begins. But for a chalet intended for Airbnb rental, this status is generally incompatible — owner-building presumes personal, not commercial, use. Consult an RBQ adviser before committing to this path.
What happens if my contractor loses their RBQ licence mid-project?
It's rare but serious. Immediately suspend payments, document all work performed, and contact the RBQ to report the situation. If you subscribed to the GCR warranty (Québec residential construction guarantee, mandatory for new single-family homes sold by a contractor), you're protected up to $220,000. Otherwise, you'll need to engage a new RBQ contractor to finish the project; civil recourse against the former contractor goes through Small Claims Court or Court of Québec depending on the amount.