The specific challenges of the trade in Quebec
A Quebec GC's week is a coordination marathon:
- Sub bid collection — inviting, chasing and levelling subcontractor prices per package
- Master schedule — every trade's dependencies in one critical path
- SEAO formats — public tenders demand exact bid structures
- 10% holdbacks — computed, tracked and released at provisional acceptance
- Change orders — every extra signed, priced and flowed to the right sub
Email threads and spreadsheets collapse at 3+ simultaneous projects. The GCs who scale are the ones who systematize.
What a professional bid must contain
Based on industry best practices and what Quebec clients and general contractors expect:
| Element | Residential | Commercial / Institutional |
|---|---|---|
| Package breakdown with subs | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Master schedule | Recommended | Mandatory |
| RBQ licence number | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Holdback terms | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| SEAO-compliant format | — | Mandatory (public) |
| Insurance and bonding | Recommended | Mandatory |
How SubmitX works for your trade
Invite subs by package
Send bid invitations, track responses and compare levelled offers side by side — compliance checked (RBQ, insurance, CNESST).
Build the master offer
Selected sub prices roll up into your offer with your margins — SEAO-formatted when public.
Run the master schedule
All packages in one Gantt with dependencies; slippage flags before it cascades.
Bill with holdbacks handled
Progress billing with 10% Quebec holdbacks computed and released at the right milestones.
💡 Real case: GCs using structured sub-bid invitations report levelling packages 6× faster — and catching non-compliant subs before award, not after.
SubmitX vs Excel vs generic software
| Criterion | Excel / paper | Generic software | SubmitX ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub bid invitations | Email threads | Generic CRM | Structured by package |
| Bid levelling | Spreadsheet | No | Side-by-side + compliance |
| SEAO formats | Manual | No | Generated |
| 10% holdbacks | Manual | No | Automatic |
| Master Gantt | Separate tool | Basic | Built in, multi-package |
| Change orders to subs | Partial | Signed & flowed |
Pricing and return on investment
SubmitX starts at $99/month CAD. For a GC, the stakes are bigger: one missed sub non-compliance or one unsigned change order can cost five figures — the software pays for itself the first time it catches either.
Levelling time drops from days to hours per package; multiply by every package on every project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best general contractor software in Quebec?
SubmitX centralizes subcontractor bid invitations and levelling, generates SEAO-compliant offers, runs the master schedule and handles 10% Quebec holdbacks. From $99/month, free trial.
Does it verify subcontractor compliance?
Yes — RBQ licences, insurance certificates and CNESST standing are checked and dated on every sub bid.
Can subs access a portal?
Yes — the subcontractor portal gives your subs scoped access for bidding, progress reporting and billing.
Try SubmitX free for 7 days
Create your first bid in under 20 minutes — no credit card required.
Start the free trial