To hire a contractor in Quebec, confirm the RBQ licence for regulated building work, ask for liability insurance, and look for CNESST coverage where it applies. On HandNorth those numbers show on the listing when we have them — a new Work account can quote while ID review is on the way. You compare all-in quotes, hire in the project, and send a booking request — Stripe escrow is on the way.
1 What to ask before you award
- Is this work regulated, and what is the RBQ number?
- Who is the insurer, and what liability limit is on the certificate?
- Does CNESST apply to this crew?
- Is the number all-in, including Quebec GST+QST at 14.975%?
- What happens if the scope changes after the visit starts?
A clear quote names labour, materials (or “materials after site visit”) and a start window. If the only number you get is a verbal range, ask them to send it on the job. How it works walks through post → quote → hire → visit.
2 Red flags we will not dress up
- Cash only, or a request to pay off HandNorth
- No licence on regulated work, or a number they will not write down
- A price that excludes tax until the invoice
- Pressure to decide the same hour without a written scope
If something goes wrong after you hire, write the pro from the project first, then use Report a problem. A person on the team reviews both sides. Contact and Trust & safety are the public doors.
3 Who you can hire today
The public catalog is four Montreal-area companies: Montage Express, Maison Solutions, ProFix Services and Atelier du Nord. A hired job can also be an independent contractor we have already verified. We will not invent extra companies or star ratings to fill a grid.
Browse Find a pro or post the job and wait for quotes.
Questions people ask
- Is an RBQ licence required for every Quebec job?
- No. It is required for regulated building work. Assembly or a simple visit may be marked “RBQ not required.” Ask, and keep the answer in writing.
- Does HandNorth employ the contractor?
- No. Pros on HandNorth are independent. We are the marketplace: quotes, a verification file, and escrow when Stripe is live.
