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.
All in one
Fix your general contracting management problems — and every other headache — in one platform
Estimating, projects, field work, CCQ payroll, invoicing: SubmitX brings it all together in one place. Leave your details and a team member will show you how it works on your own cases.
- Estimating
- Projects & field
- CCQ payroll
- Invoicing
A team member will get in touch. Something urgent? Call 514-835-8734.
Meanwhile, you can try SubmitX free for 7 days.
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.
Prepare your next bids with SubmitX
AI drafts the bid, you review it before it goes out. 7-day trial, no credit card.
7-day trial · no credit card · or call 514-835-8734