Services
Design-build services
General Contracting in Greater Montréal
As your general contractor we hold the subcontracts, carry the schedule and budget, and stand behind the finished build — one RBQ-licensed party accountable from first trade to final inspection. What separates us from a contractor who only builds: we can also design it, so the drawings we build from are our own.
What “licensed and accountable” actually means
In Quebec, anyone whose main activity is organising or carrying out construction work must hold a valid RBQ licence — a general contractor licence lets us subcontract part or all of a job and remain the single responsible party. That's the difference between managing your own trades and having one firm own quality, scheduling, warranty, and defect claims. Licensed work also needs the right permits; how the permit process works in Montréal is covered in our commercial permits guide.
Scope, price, build, hand over
- Trade procurement and coordination
- Schedule and budget management
- On-site supervision and quality control
- Permits and inspections coordinated
- One point of accountability for the build
Where it fits
Commercial fit-outs, retail builds, tenant improvements, renovations, and residential construction across Montreal Island, Laval, the South and North Shores, the West Island, and Vaudreuil. If you're still deciding between hiring a general contractor on finished plans and a single design-build contract, our comparison of the two routes walks through the trade-offs.
Where we do this work
We work as general contractor across Greater Montréal. Permit requirements and review steps vary by borough and municipality; each area page covers what applies there.
The in-house difference
We answer our own drawings
Most general contractors build from a set someone else drew, which is where site conflicts and change orders live — the drawing didn't anticipate the build. Because our design team produced the drawings, we're answering our own set on site. A clash gets resolved by the person who drew it, not escalated to a designer who's no longer on the project.
Frequently asked
General Contracting — your questions, answered.
Does a general contractor in Quebec need an RBQ licence?
Yes. Anyone in Quebec whose main activity is organizing, coordinating, or carrying out construction work must hold a valid licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). A general contractor licence lets the firm subcontract part or all of a job to other contractors. You can verify any licence for free in the RBQ's public Licence Holders' Repertory.
What is the difference between a general contractor and a specialized contractor?
A general contractor organizes and coordinates a whole project and can hire subcontractors to perform the work, acting as your single point of responsibility. A specialized contractor is licensed only for one specific trade, such as electrical or roofing, and must work strictly within that certified area. IN Design & Construction holds a general contractor licence.
Is the general contractor responsible for the subcontractors' work?
Yes. A general contractor is generally accountable for the overall project, including quality, scheduling, and the performance of the subcontractors it hires and pays directly. Because the subcontracts are held by the contractor, you deal with one accountable party rather than coordinating trades yourself, which simplifies warranty and defect claims on the finished build.
Can you build from plans prepared by another designer or architect?
Yes. As general contractor we can build from a complete set of plans and specifications prepared by others. We review the set for completeness and constructability before pricing, and questions about design intent go back to the designer or architect of record, who remains responsible for the design.
Who applies for the building permit when you're the general contractor?
It depends on the contract. A permit application can be filed by the owner or by someone the owner authorizes, and we commonly prepare and submit it on the client's behalf along with the drawings. Who files, and who answers the borough's questions, is set out in the contract before work starts.
What is a holdback on a construction contract?
A holdback is a portion of each progress payment that the owner keeps until the work is accepted and the deficiencies have been corrected. It protects the owner while the last items are finished. The holdback amount and the conditions for releasing it are set in the contract.
Start a project
Have a space in mind? Let's design and build it.
Tell us about your project — commercial, retail, or residential — and we'll walk you through what design-build can deliver. Consultations across Greater Montréal.
Direct
(514) 697-1742info@indesignconstruction.caService area
- Montréal
- South Shore / Rive-Sud
- North Shore / Rive-Nord
- Laval
- Vaudreuil-Soulanges
- West Island