Kelowna, British Columbia

How to check a contractor in Kelowna

Want Jay to do these checks for you? A person reviews every check.

No tax added. Report by 8 p.m. Pacific the next day.

Kelowna needs a licence for any business that operates in the city. The city has an online search of the licences it has issued. A contractor from West Kelowna, Vernon or Penticton may instead hold a mobile licence. Here is how to check both. Below: what is different in Kelowna, then the British Columbia steps, each with the official source.

What is different in Kelowna

  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. Search Kelowna's business licences

    The City of Kelowna's business licence search shows the licences it has issued. Licences are issued each year. Search the exact name on the quote, then the trade name.

    Official source: Business licence search (City of Kelowna; checked 2026-11-08).

  3. 3. From out of town? Ask about the mobile licence

    A contractor can work in Kelowna with an inter-community mobile licence added to the licence from their home town. Towns in the program include West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Vernon, Penticton, Summerland and Salmon Arm. Ask for the home town and the licence number.

    Official source: Inter-community mobile licence (City of Kelowna; checked 2026-11-08).

  4. 4. Still not sure? Ask the city

    Kelowna's business licensing office is at 250-469-8617. Give the exact name on the quote and ask whether it holds a current licence. Write down the date and the answer.

  5. 5. Electrical or gas work: check Technical Safety BC

    Electrical and gas contractors in BC are licensed by Technical Safety BC. Its search shows the licence class and status.

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

Then the British Columbia steps

  1. 6. Check the business is registered in BC

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

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

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

  3. 8. Search public tribunal and court decisions for the business name

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

  4. 9. Ask for the certificate of insurance from the broker

  5. 10. Read the quote for what it leaves out

  6. 11. Look at the deposit before you pay it

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

Read each British Columbia step in full

Guides for Kelowna

All the British Columbia steps

Questions people ask

Does a contractor need a Kelowna licence?

The City of Kelowna requires a licence to own or operate a business in Kelowna, and licences are issued each year. A contractor from a nearby town may work in Kelowna on an inter-community mobile licence added to their home town's licence.

Does a Kelowna business licence mean the contractor is qualified?

No. A licence lets the business operate in the city. It does not test skills. Trade certificates and Technical Safety BC licences are separate.

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.