Airdrie, Alberta

How to check a contractor in Airdrie

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Airdrie puts part of the job on you. The city says property owners must make sure contractors have valid licences and permits before work begins. Here is how to check the city licence, the permit and the Alberta steps. Below: what is different in Airdrie, then the Alberta steps, each with the official source.

What is different in Airdrie

  1. 1. Start with the exact name on the quote

    Write down the business name exactly as the quote prints it, including Ltd., Inc. or a number. A trade name, a numbered company and a sole proprietorship can all be registered under other words, so if a search shows nothing, ask the contractor which name and number appear on their registration or licence before you read anything into it.

  2. 2. Read what Airdrie asks of homeowners

    For basements and renovations, the City of Airdrie says contractors must hold valid trade certificates and an Airdrie business licence. It also says property owners are responsible for making sure of this before work begins.

    Official source: Basement developments and renovations (City of Airdrie; checked 2026-11-08).

  3. 3. Ask the city to confirm the licence

    Every business that works in Airdrie for profit needs a licence, and a business from outside the city needs a non-resident licence. Call 311 (403-948-8800 from outside the city) with the exact name on the quote. Airdrie's business directory is not a licence list, so do not rely on it.

    Official source: Business licence application and fees (City of Airdrie; checked 2026-11-08).

  4. 4. Ask who gets the permits

    Airdrie says homeowners and contractors must get the right permits before any work starts. Ask the contractor which permits the job needs and who will get them. Get the answer in writing on the quote.

  5. 5. Taking a deposit? Check the prepaid contracting licence

    In Alberta, a business that takes money before the work is done may need a prepaid contracting licence. The Government of Alberta's page explains it.

    Official source: Prepaid contracting licence (Government of Alberta; checked 2026-07-15).

  6. 6. Check the trade certificate

    Alberta's Tradesperson Lookup Tool shows a person's trade certificate by name. Ask who will do the electrical, gas or plumbing work and search that person.

    Official source: Tradesperson Lookup Tool (Government of Alberta, Apprenticeship and Industry Training; checked 2026-07-15).

Then the Alberta steps

  1. 7. Check the business is registered in Alberta

    Official source: Find a business registry (authorized registry agents) (Government of Alberta; checked 2026-10-20).

  2. 8. Money before the work is done: check the prepaid contracting licence

    Official source: Find out if a business is licensed (Government of Alberta (Service Alberta); checked 2026-10-20).

  3. 9. New homes: check the Builder Registry

    Official source: Builder Registry (public search) (Alberta Municipal Affairs, Residential Protection Program; checked 2026-07-15).

  4. 10. Search public tribunal and court decisions for the business name

    Official source: Canadian court and tribunal decisions (CanLII; checked 2026-10-20).

  5. 11. Ask for the certificate of insurance from the broker

  6. 12. Read the quote for what it leaves out

Read each Alberta step in full

Guides for Airdrie

All the Alberta steps

Questions people ask

Does a contractor need a Airdrie licence?

The City of Airdrie requires a licence for every business carried on for profit in the city, and businesses based outside Airdrie need a non-resident licence. Licences are renewed every December.

Is it really my job to check the contractor's licence in Airdrie?

The City of Airdrie's renovation page says property owners are responsible for making sure contractors have valid licences and permits before work begins. Read the page for your project.

What does a Jay check add?

Jay searches the public records for the exact name on your quote, with the source and the time checked for each one. Her report says plainly when a record is not found. The $25 Company Check looks at the company before you get a quote. The $39 Full Check also reads your quote and insurance papers, and $59 buys both on one contractor. A person reviews every Full Check before it goes out.

Or ask Jay

Jay does these steps for you and writes down what the records show, with the source and date for each one. No quote yet? We check the contractor's public records before you contact them. Have a quote? We check your quote, the contractor's insurance and public records. A person reviews every check.

See a sample Full Check

Check first. Then pay the deposit.

Information, not a verdict. A record that is not found is not evidence of wrongdoing, and nothing here is legal, insurance or safety advice.