How to Choose a Heating and Cooling Contractor

Verify the RBQ licence

Contractors performing construction work in Québec, including heating and cooling installation, generally need to hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) covering the relevant subcategory of work. You can verify a contractor's licence number and its status directly on the RBQ's public registry before signing a contract. A licence number that does not appear, or that is listed as restricted or revoked, is a reason to ask questions before proceeding.

Confirm insurance coverage

Ask whether the contractor carries liability insurance covering damage that could occur during the work, and ask to see proof rather than taking a verbal assurance. This matters especially for work involving electrical connections, refrigerant lines, or penetrations through exterior walls, where a mistake can cause real property damage.

Insist on a detailed written quote

• The quote should list the exact brand and model number of the equipment, not just a general description.
• It should itemize electrical work, line-set work, removal and disposal of old equipment, and any construction separately.
• It should state what is excluded, so you know what could become an extra charge once work begins.
• A quote given only verbally over the phone, without a visit to your home, is harder to hold anyone to later.

Halocarbon and refrigerant handling certification

Working with refrigerants (halocarbons) used in air conditioners and heat pumps is regulated under federal and provincial environmental rules, since these substances must be recovered and handled properly rather than released. Ask whether the technician who will handle refrigerant on your job holds the relevant halocarbon handling certification. This is a reasonable and fair question to ask any contractor, and a credible one should be able to answer it directly.

Ask for references and past work

• Ask for references from jobs similar in scope to yours, such as a comparable replacement or installation.
• Look for a track record in your area, since local experience with Outaouais housing stock and winter conditions is relevant.
• Online reviews are one data point, but a direct conversation with a past customer can surface details a review does not.

Written warranties, not verbal promises

• Ask what is covered by the manufacturer's parts and compressor warranty, and for how long.
• Ask what labour warranty the contractor itself provides, separate from the manufacturer's coverage.
• Get warranty terms in writing, including any maintenance conditions required to keep them valid.

Be cautious of a firm price with no site visit

Every home differs in electrical capacity, access, layout, and the condition of any existing ductwork, so a firm price given without anyone inspecting your home is unreliable. A contractor that visits in person, checks your panel, and asks about your goals is in a much better position to give you an accurate quote and to avoid surprise charges once work is underway.

A short checklist before you sign

• RBQ licence number verified on the public registry.
• Proof of liability insurance provided.
• Written, itemized quote with exact equipment model numbers.
• Confirmation of halocarbon handling certification for refrigerant work.
• At least one reference or a credible track record you can check.
• Warranty terms, both manufacturer and labour, provided in writing.