Many people wonder what self‑construction actually involves in Québec—specifically, what rules apply when someone wants to build a house, a cottage, or any other building either for themselves or for a family member.
SELF‑CONSTRUCTION
Here is the list of buildings that can be constructed without holding an RBQ license. Within what is permitted by the RBQ, the following work is never authorized:
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Work NOT AUTHORIZED includes :
- electrical installations.
- installations designed to use or distribute gas.
- petroleum equipment installations.
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The AUTHORIZED BUILDINGS are :
The house you live in
You do not need a license to build or renovate your single‑family dwelling and its installations, such as a garden shed or a patio.
Definition of a single‑family dwelling:
A building that contains only one dwelling unit, such as a detached house (bungalow, cottage, chalet), a semi‑detached home, or a row house. This definition may be interpreted more broadly in the case of a multi‑generational home.
The condo you live in
For work carried out in the common portions of your condominium, a license is required.
**Common portions : Any space outside your private unit, such as corridors, stairways, etc.
In the private portions of your condominium, no license is required to perform:
- work included in Schedule III of the List of license subclasses.
- repair, maintenance, and renovation work estimated at less than $20,000.
**Partie privative : The parts of the building that belong exclusively to a specific co‑owner and are for their sole use (Civil Code of Québec, article 1042). This refers to the interior of your condo.
| EXAMPLES OF WORK YOU CAN DO WITHOUT A LICENSE | |
| Work included in Schedule III | Repair, maintenance and renovation work estimated at less than $20,000 |
| In the private portion of your condo, you may carry out the following work without a license, among others: ■ painting. ■ wallpaper. ■ jointing. ■ gypsum. ■ flooring (raft wood, hardwood, floating floor, ceramics, carpet, linoleum, etc.). ■ itchen cabinets and countertops. | In the private portion of your condo, you may carry out the following work without a license if the work is estimated at less than $20,000: ■ repairs to your heating system. ■ epair and maintenance of your plumbing installation. |
A chalet used by you or your family
If your chalet is intended for your personal use or your family’s, you do not need a license to build or renovate it. This also applies to its installations, such as a garden shed or a patio.
A house, apartment, condo or chalet you rent to others
If you rent a house, apartment, or condo to other people, you may only perform work included in Schedule III of the List of license subclasses as well as repair, maintenance, and renovation work estimated at less than $20,000.
SAME WORK AS SHOWN IN THE TABLE UNDER: A CONDO YOU LIVE IN.
A house or condo intended to be sold
You must hold a contractor’s license to:
- buy a new house or condo, renovate it, and sell it.
- build a house or condo with the intention of selling it.
Because the purpose of this work is to generate profit, you are considered a contractor.ence.
The property of a friend or family member (volunteer work)
If you wish to help a friend or family member with construction or renovation work, you must know that if this work benefits you in any way (financial or otherwise), you must hold a license, as you will be considered a contractor.
Examples :
- John agrees to help with construction work at Joanna’s house without being paid. In exchange, Joanna, an accountant, agrees to do John’s bookkeeping and prepare his tax returns. Since John benefits from this arrangement, he needs a contractor’s license.
- Mustapha asks Mark to help him demolish his garage. In exchange, he allows Mark to keep the recovered materials to sell or reuse. Since Mark benefits from the demolition, he must hold a contractor’s license.
- Adriana owns a building with 8 rental units. She agrees to reduce Jack’s rent if he performs renovation and maintenance work in the common areas. Since Jack benefits (reduced rent), he must hold a contractor’s license.
- Sinh helps his brother repaint his balcony. When the work is done, Sinh leaves with nothing more than the satisfaction of helping. Since gratitude is not considered a benefit, he does not need a license.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SELF‑CONSTRUCTION
In addition to determining whether a license is required, you must remember that during a self‑construction project, structural work is subject to CCQ regulations.
Some people believe self‑construction is simple, but it is essential to complete every step properly to avoid major issues, fines, and to ensure your building is safe and compliant.
For a first construction project, many owners hire a 1.1.1 general contractor for the structural framing, which allows them to obtain a guarantee plan. They then complete the remaining work themselves and subcontract plumbing, electrical, and ventilation work.
This approach allows you to save money, obtain guarantees, and maintain control over materials and design.
Complete self‑construction gives you full freedom of design and material choices and can save you a significant amount of money — which is not always the case when hiring a general contractor to manage the entire project.
The key is to know your limits and ensure you are well prepared before undertaking a project of this scale, which will involve obtaining a mortgage, applying for permits, understanding laws and standards, and managing the time pressure and challenges that will arise.
You are the only person who knows your own limits.
