How to write a construction quote: free template and checklist (Quebec)

Is a construction quote a contract?

Not automatically, but it can bind you. The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC, Quebec's consumer protection office) defines a quote as a written estimate of the cost of the work and materials, and advises attaching it to the contract. Under civil law, a proposal that contains all the essential elements of the contract and expresses its author's intention to be bound is an offer to contract (Civil Code of Québec, art. 1388). With a deadline for acceptance, it is irrevocable until that deadline expires (art. 1390). So write every quote as if the client could accept it as is. This text is for information and does not replace legal advice.

What should a construction quote contain?

Nine elements make up a complete quote. The last column shows where each requirement comes from: mandatory, recommended by an official body, or simply good practice.

Is the RBQ licence number mandatory on a quote?

Yes. The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) requires the licence number to appear on estimates, quotes, contracts, statements of account and invoices, as well as in advertising and on the website. It has 10 digits and is written "Licence RBQ : XXXX-XXXX-XX". Using the RBQ logo or the Government of Québec flag is prohibited. Wondering whether your work requires a licence? Our 3-question RBQ licence quiz points you in the right direction.

How should you present the price, GST and QST?

Itemize each line, then show the subtotal, GST, QST and total on separate lines. GST is 5% and QST is 9.975%, both applied to the same pre-tax price. Illustrative calculation: for a $10,000 subtotal, GST is $500.00, QST is $997.50 and the total is $11,497.50. The GST/QST calculator does this calculation from your subtotal.

According to Revenu Québec, the supplier's GST and QST registration numbers must appear on invoices or supporting documents of $100 or more, which lets a registered buyer claim input tax credits. Including them right on the quote saves you from adding them at invoicing time.

Which extra rules apply to residential renovation?

With a consumer client, the Consumer Protection Act applies. According to the OPC, a contract signed in person does not have to follow a particular form, but it is advisable to put it in writing and include: your name and address, your licence and permit numbers, the start and end dates of the work, a detailed description of the work (type and quantity of materials), the total cost, the payment terms and your civil liability insurance policy number. Three things to know:

• Itinerant merchants. You are an itinerant merchant if you solicit clients somewhere other than your place of business (at their home, for example), and, according to the OPC, if you sell, install or repair doors and windows, thermal insulation, roofing or exterior siding, even at the client's request. You then need an OPC permit and a written contract with all the mandatory information; work cannot start within 10 days of handing over the contract (limited exceptions), and some contracts are prohibited (heating, air conditioning, decontamination, insulation), with exceptions. Check your situation with the OPC.
• The 10-day period is not universal. The OPC points out that, contrary to popular belief, a client does not always have 10 days to change their mind.
• Payment. The law does not say how work must be paid for. The OPC advises clients to pay in instalments as work progresses and to hold back a final payment of 10% to 15% of the total cost until the work is finished: set terms that take this into account.

What does the structure of a quote look like?

Here is a skeleton with no prices at all: replace each bracket with your own data.

Which checklist should you follow before sending a quote?

• ☐ My RBQ licence number is shown in the correct format.
• ☐ The client's name and the job site address are correct.
• ☐ Each task is described, with its materials and quantities.
• ☐ Inclusions and exclusions are written down.
• ☐ The price is itemized; GST and QST are calculated on the same subtotal.
• ☐ My GST and QST numbers appear on the document (if I am registered).
• ☐ Start and end dates, and payment terms, are stated.
• ☐ The validity date and warranties are written down.
• ☐ Unplanned work requires the client's written authorization before it is done.
• ☐ Someone else has checked the quantities and the calculation.

Which mistakes lead to disputes or lost contracts?

• Vague description. "Complete renovation" does not say what is included: every gap becomes a disagreement.
• No exclusions, no change clause. Under art. 2109 of the Civil Code, the lump-sum price stays the same despite changes to the planned performance conditions, unless the parties agreed otherwise. Agree on changes in writing.
• Missing RBQ number, or replaced by a prohibited logo.
• Ambiguous prices. State whether amounts are before or after taxes.
• No validity date. An offer without a deadline stays revocable until acceptance is received, and lapses after a "reasonable time" (art. 1390 and 1392), a notion a specific date makes unnecessary.
• Calculation not checked. With a lump-sum price, you cannot claim more because the work required more effort than planned (art. 2109): have the quantities checked before sending.

How can SubmitX help you produce your quotes?

The free quote generator creates a simple quote, without an account. To set your prices, see the margin calculator and the article on the billing hourly rate. In SubmitX, AI prepares a draft quote from the project description; you approve and edit it before sending, and GST and QST are calculated automatically. The final price remains your responsibility. A Free plan exists, and the paid plans (Starter, Pro) can be tried for 7 days with no credit card. To compare software, see the guide to quoting software.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a quote valid?

No duration is imposed in the official pages consulted: it is up to you to set it and write it on the quote. Under the Civil Code of Québec (art. 1390), an offer with a deadline for acceptance is irrevocable until that deadline expires.

Should GST and QST be added to a quote?

If you are registered for GST and QST, you collect these taxes on your taxable sales: show them on separate lines or state that prices are before taxes. Registration is mandatory when your taxable supplies exceed $30,000 in a calendar quarter or over the previous four calendar quarters.

Do you need a contract in addition to the quote?

With a consumer client, the OPC advises always signing a written contract and attaching the quote to it. The contract does not have to follow a particular form, except for itinerant merchants, where the law requires a written contract with all the mandatory information.

Where can I find a free quote template?

The SubmitX free quote generator produces a simple quote, with price lines and GST/QST calculated, without an account. You can also reuse the nine-section structure described in this article in a spreadsheet or word processor.

Sources

Official pages consulted on October 13, 2026 (in French). The OPC and RBQ pages summarize the law; the legal texts take precedence. OPC page cited: last modified on March 5, 2025.

• RBQ, "Displaying your licence": licence number, format, prohibited logo
• OPC, "Consumer tips: residential renovation": content of the quote and contract, itinerant merchants, payment
• OPC, "New obligations for merchants": itinerant merchants, prohibited contracts, 10-day period
• LégisQuébec, Civil Code of Québec: art. 1388, 1390, 1392 and 2109
• Revenu Québec, "Calculating the taxes": GST of 5% and QST of 9.975%
• Revenu Québec, "Preparing invoices": registration numbers
• Revenu Québec, "Registering for GST and QST": $30,000 threshold

Last checked: October 13, 2026.