How to check a contractor in British Columbia

The steps, in order

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. Check the business is registered in BC

   Search OrgBook BC, the public directory of BC Registries data, for the exact name. An active record shows the registration number, the type (a BC company, a firm, an extraprovincial company) and the date registered. A historical status means the registration is no longer active as of the date shown.

   Official source: OrgBook BC: search registered BC organizations (BC Registries, through OrgBook BC; checked 2026-10-20).

3. 3. Check the city business licence

   Most BC cities publish a business-licence search. Search the exact name and the trade name, and read the licence type and expiry.

   Official source: Business licences (City of Vancouver; checked 2026-10-20).

4. 4. Electrical or gas work: check the contractor's licence with Technical Safety BC

   Electrical and gas contractors in BC are licensed by Technical Safety BC. Use its find-a-licensed-contractor search for the business name and read the licence class and status.

   Official source: Find a licensed contractor (Technical Safety BC; checked 2026-10-20).

5. 5. New home or major structural work: check BC Housing's licensing

   Builders of new homes in BC are licensed by BC Housing's Licensing and Consumer Services, which also publishes the New Homes Registry. A renovation usually does not need this licence; the BC Housing page says when it applies.

   Official source: Licensing and consumer services (licensed residential builders) (BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services; checked 2026-10-20).

6. 6. Search public tribunal and court decisions for the business name

   Search the Civil Resolution Tribunal's decisions and CanLII for the exact business name. A decision names the parties and what the tribunal found; read it rather than the headline, and remember that a business with many years of work may appear once for reasons that have nothing to do with you.

   Official source: CRT decisions (Civil Resolution Tribunal; checked 2026-10-20).

7. 7. Ask for the certificate of insurance from the broker

   Ask the contractor to have their insurance broker send the certificate of insurance straight to you. Check that the named insured matches the business on the quote, that the policy is in force for the dates of your project, and that the coverage type is liability for the work being done. A photo of a certificate from the contractor's phone is weaker evidence than one sent by the broker.

8. 8. Read the quote for what it leaves out

   A quote you can compare names the parties, the scope of work, what is excluded, allowances, payment stages, the change process and warranty wording. Note anything missing as a question to ask before you sign; a missing line is a question, not a finding.

9. 9. Look at the deposit before you pay it

   Work out the deposit as a percentage of the total and ask what it pays for and when the next payment is due. The Government of British Columbia's building-or-renovating pages explain what to settle before work starts. Jay's free deposit checker runs in your browser and keeps nothing you type.

   Official source: Building or renovating (Government of British Columbia; checked 2026-10-20).

Guides for British Columbia

• How do I check if a business is registered in BC?
• How do I check a contractor's business licence in Vancouver?
• How do I check a Technical Safety BC licence number on a quote?
• How much deposit should you pay a contractor?

Questions people ask