A friend “who knows this stuff,” a tempting cash price… In electrical work, the apparent saving hides a very real risk. Here’s why demanding a CMEQ · RBQ certified electrician truly protects you.
Electricity doesn’t forgive improvisation
Under-the-table work can look like a bargain. But in electrical work, two words are enough to make you think twice: fire and denied insurance claim. The cash price never covers those two risks.
The true cost of “cheap”
A fire
A badly done electrical installation is a major cause of residential fires. Here, a mistake stays invisible… until the day it erupts.
Insurance that refuses to pay
Insurers don’t cover damages tied to work done illegally, without a licence. In a claim, the bill lands on you.
No warranty, no recourse
No licence means no warranty and no liability insurance. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own.
A resale roadblock
Non-compliant work shows up at inspection and can derail a sale or drag the price down.
“I did the work myself”
A homeowner had done his own electrical work. When a problem arose and he mentioned it to his insurer, the insurer refused to cover it: electrical work without a licence is an illegal activity, and insurers don’t cover the damages that flow from it. The initial saving turned into a steep bill.
What a certified RBQ · CMEQ company guarantees
- Better-quality work, most of the time — because certification imposes standards.
- Civil liability insurance protecting you against any damage caused to your building. This is the most important point.
- A licence bond: if you pay a deposit and the contractor walks away, a bond is in place to protect you.
- A valid licence and a whole set of standards the contractor is required to follow.
How to verify a licence
It’s simple and free: go to the RBQ registry, enter the company’s name or number, and confirm the licence is valid and unrestricted.
You carry the risk
Having electrical work done without a licence is illegal. And concretely, when something goes wrong, it’s the homeowner who bears the consequences: an insurer can refuse to compensate the damages, and you remain financially responsible — including toward your neighbours in a disaster. The initial saving is never worth that risk.
Certified, insured, guaranteed
CMEQ-certified company holding an RBQ licence, with liability insurance, serving Greater Montréal, Laval, the North Shore, the Laurentians and Lanaudière. Work done right, and protected.
Demand work done right
Get a clear quote from a certified, insured and guaranteed company. It’s your best protection. Free.
What people ask us
Is hiring a certified electrician really mandatory?+
Yes. The law requires an RBQ licence for electrical work. It’s also what protects you: liability insurance, warranty and compliance.
Can my insurance really refuse to pay?+
Yes. Insurers don’t cover damages tied to electrical work done illegally, without a licence. It has happened to homeowners.
How do I check that a company is certified?+
On the RBQ registry: validate the licence, subcategory 16 (Electricity) and the exact legal name. It’s free and takes two minutes.
What protection do I get with a certified company?+
Civil liability insurance against damages, a licence bond protecting your deposit if the contractor walks away, and the obligation to meet current standards.
