Marketing a one-person trades business in Quebec

French first: the starting point for any plan

Quebec's language charter, strengthened by Bill 96, says French has to dominate clearly on public signs and in commercial ads. Website and social media content aimed at Quebec customers must be available in French, though other languages may appear alongside it. Since 2025-06-01, a non-French business name or trademark visible from outside your premises must come with French terms.

For a solo owner, that means:

• Write your website in French first, with English as an option if you serve English-speaking customers.
• Make your Google profile description and services French.
• Check your vehicle lettering and yard signs, which are public advertising.
• Read the OQLF's guidance for businesses for the details. We summarise the rules; we don't give legal advice.

Where solo owners compete in Quebec

Montréal, Québec City, Laval, Gatineau and Longueuil hold most of the competition, with Sherbrooke, Lévis and Saguenay as strong regional markets.

• Montréal and Laval: dense, competitive search. Narrow your area to the boroughs and suburbs you can reach without losing half a day in traffic.
• Québec City and Lévis: a large market on both sides of the river. Say clearly which side you serve.
• Gatineau: a cross-river market with Ottawa, but Quebec's language and licensing rules apply to work in Quebec.
• Regional cities: referrals and reviews carry a lot of weight, and a well-kept profile can make a solo owner the default choice.

Seasons and heating in Quebec

Winter in Quebec is cold and snowy, and the heating season runs long, longest of all beyond the St. Lawrence lowlands.

• Autumn is the time for preparation work and reminders to past customers who agreed to hear from you.
• Winter brings indoor work and snow-related calls.
• Spring is a rush for exterior work, so quoting should start before the snow melts.

Quebec is unusual in heating: Statistics Canada reports that 70% of households relied mainly on electricity for heat in 2023, with natural gas at 5% and wood at 4%.

Licences and registrations customers check

Quebec customers are used to checking licences. Show what applies to you; we only link and summarise.

• The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) licenses contractors and oversees building safety, including electrical, gas and plumbing. If you build or renovate for clients, expect to need an RBQ licence covering the right subclasses.
• The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) certifies the competency of people working in the construction industry.
• The CNESST covers labour standards and workplace health and safety.
• The Registraire des entreprises registers businesses. Keep your registered name and Google profile name identical.
• The Office de la protection du consommateur is the consumer protection body customers will know.

Programs customers may ask about, as of October 2026

• LogisVert, Hydro-Québec's efficient-homes program, is open. Hydro-Québec notes that a federal heat pump rebate is coming in 2027 and says LogisVert requests are being processed as usual.
• Rénoclimat has new rules from 2026-10-01: homeowners can skip the evaluation before work starts, and different caps now apply.
• Chauffez vert has not accepted applications since 2026-03-31.

Refer customers to the official pages and ask them to confirm eligibility there.

A plain-language plan for a solo owner in Quebec

1. Start in French: website, Google profile, vehicle and quotes.
2. Show your RBQ licence number wherever customers decide.
3. Choose a clear area, by borough, city or riverbank.
4. Build reviews steadily with a simple routine, in whichever language your customers use.
5. Write your plan with the one-page guide.

See all regions on the areas page, or contact us about your Quebec business.