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Advice Hub
Practical advice. Real rules. Stronger homes. Guides for homeowners and professionals — Montreal first, written for Canada and the U.S.
Popular topics Renovation Hiring a pro All-in price RBQ Service areas HST
Featured articles
Expert advice from how HandNorth actually works — hiring, licences, price and escrow.
How to plan a home renovation in Canada
Scope, photos, tax and a licensed pro — the order that keeps a Canadian renovation honest before you spend.
Sep 11, 2026 · 4 min read
How to hire a contractor in Quebec
RBQ, insurance, CNESST and the questions that matter before you award a Montreal-area job.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
What an all-in price includes in Canada and the U.S.
One number: the visit and tax. No commission inside the job. No second checkout surprise.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min readLatest articles
The rest of the hub — same facts as Help, Pricing and Trust & safety.
RBQ licence: what Quebec homeowners should check
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec licence is for regulated building work — not every visit, and not a U.S. card.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
How HandNorth holds payment in escrow
The deposit is not the pro’s income yet. When Stripe escrow is live, funds will release after the visit is marked done. Today there is no card hold.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Where HandNorth is live in Canada and the U.S.
Find is live in listed metros. A visit that holds a calendar is Greater Montreal first.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
What HandNorth asks from a professional
Trade, city, licence, insurance and CNESST where it applies — then a Work cabinet, not a public profile by default.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Cancelling a HandNorth booking
Cancel free up to 24 hours before the visit. After work starts, a person reviews the job.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
HST on home services in Quebec
GST+QST on a HandNorth Montreal quote is 14.975% and already sits inside the all-in number.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Red flags when hiring a home pro
Cash off-platform, a missing licence on regulated work, and a price that hides tax.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
How to post a project that gets real quotes
City, photos and a budget range. Montreal-area pros can answer. Empty posts get silence.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Independent contractors on HandNorth
Pros are not HandNorth employees. The marketplace holds quotes, verification, and escrow when Stripe is live.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min readKnowledge builds better communities.
Whether you are a homeowner or a professional, the right information makes a difference.
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