How to Become a General Contractor in Canada

Being a general contractor isn’t usually something little kids in Canada mention when reciting, “I want to be a _______ when I grow up.” Yet, becoming one can be lucrative. While annual income can vary across the country, most general contractors (GCs) do pretty well for themselves, earning upwards of $130,706, according to Talent.com. It’s no wonder why: Canada’s housing demand is rising, fuelled by unprecedented population growth.

According to a study by the Fraser Institute, Canada added more than one million people in 2022 alone, representing the largest single-year population increase in the country’s history. All the while, the housing industry struggles to keep up. The same Fraser study found that the “population grew by 4.7 people for every unit completed the previous year – higher than at any other time.” 

So, if you’re considering becoming a residential, industrial or commercial general contractor in Canada, now is the time. However, becoming one isn’t as easy as just calling yourself one. There are numerous factors involved, the most obvious of which is having considerable construction experience. But that’s not all: you must also know how to apply for and receive the necessary licensing to conduct a legal contracting business in Canada; you need all-around business acumen, inherent people and leadership skills and knowledge of regulatory requirements and codes. 

Most contractors I know didn’t go to school for their job positions but developed into the role as a natural progression of their construction career. Now, that doesn’t mean being a GC is for everyone. I’ve worked with a lot of skilled labour over the years, and there is nothing wrong with that career choice; it’s essential to the industry.

Yet, for some, becoming a general contractor just makes sense – as it did for me – but a lot is involved in launching and developing a career as one. This article will explore the ins and outs of becoming a general contractor in Canada, drawing on my experience to provide as many insights as possible. 

What is a General Contractor?

For the uninitiated, a general contractor is a person or business that oversees and manages all aspects of a construction project from start to finish. They take a wide-angle approach to all projects, acting as an intermediary between the client – often a homeowner but could be a business, institution, or governmental organization – and the dynamic aspects of the project, like tradespeople, specialists, material suppliers and government regulators. They ensure that all stakeholders act in unison towards a common goal: the successful completion of the project. 

What Does a GC Do?

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What doesn’t a GC do?! I wore innumerable hats as a general contractor in residential renovation. I worked with clients to fine-tune their projects to fit their needs, drafted proposals, managed large budgets, coordinated subcontractors, worked alongside architects, engineers and designers, calculated and ordered materials, called for inspections and physically completed site work. I was also the company bookkeeper, salesperson, chief marketing officer, website developer and copywriter; I hired and fired staff, filed and paid taxes and trained employees; if you can name it, I probably did it.

What You Need to Become a General Contractor in Canada

While the qualifications for becoming a general contractor in Canada vary from province to province, you’ll need some essential components to succeed in your new career.

High School Diploma or CAEC

Not having a high school diploma or the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), formally the General Educational Development (GED), isn’t very common for Canadian nationals. However, if you come from outside the country, it’s good to get. It provides a solid foundation for future education and continuous learning, a key component to becoming a contractor in Canada. The job often requires researching new products and building methods for projects, and I attribute this ability to a solid educational base. 

Post Secondary or College Education

While this isn’t necessary for all areas of the construction industry, it’s becoming the standard. The construction industry’s commercial, institutional and industrial arms will undoubtedly require it, while home building and renovation sectors may not. 

The need for post-secondary education will depend on your chosen career path and the specific subsection of the construction industry you decide to pursue. For example, becoming a licensed plumber will require a 4 to 5 year red seal trade course out of college; becoming an engineer will require a university degree.

While admittedly not for everyone, a post-secondary education can provide a level of knowledge and understanding of self-learning that’s invaluable. While I don’t use my university degree directly, it helped me foster an autodidactic approach to my future endeavours, a skill I found essential as GC. You aren’t always familiar with a building process or procedure, and knowing how to learn and discern relevant and critical information to oversee a project effectively is essential.

Job Experience

This is the most significant factor in becoming a general contractor in Canada. Without experience, you cannot do the job. While many of the contractors I know and I are constantly learning with each project, gaining the confidence to take on the level of responsibility that comes with being a GC wholly depends on one’s experience in the field. 

A background in construction can start during the early levels of school or post-secondary institutions, but to fully understand the role of GC, it’s crucial to gain real-life, on-the-job experience for some years before fully stepping into the position. 

Start with an industry role, be it a trades apprenticeship, architectural or engineering internship, or equivalent. Gain the firsthand experience needed to manage teams and projects. Moving up to a supervisory role will ease the transition to full-fledged GC. 

For example, I started as a labourer, became a carpenter’s assistant and then a carpenter’s apprentice. In this role, I helped my boss manage newer employees while taking on my own small projects on evenings and weekends. Those jobs became bigger and more frequent, eventually reaching the point where I could support myself, so I transitioned to self-employed. Eventually, I became an employer with multiple crews and simultaneous projects. For context, that entire process took nearly a decade and a half.

Licensing and Certification

Licenses are a key component to becoming a general contractor in Canada as municipal and provincial governments may require them to work legally as a GC. You can earn them as part of a trades program or post-secondary degree. It’s essential to consult local regulatory bodies and professional associations to ensure compliance with all requirements in your area.

Below is an overview of the requirements across different provinces:

Alberta

Licensing – Prepaid contractors who accept payment before completing work must obtain a Prepaid Contractor License. Additionally, trades such as electricians, plumbers and gas fitters require specific certifications. 

Municipal requirements – Calgary and Edmonton have additional licensing requirements.

British Columbia

Licensing – Contractors working with regulated systems (e.g., electrical, gas) must be licensed and hold a Certificate of Qualification. 

Manitoba

Certification – General contractors typically need a Certificate of Qualification, indicating completion of necessary training and competency in their trade. 

Ontario

Certification – Compulsory trades require a Certificate of Qualification from Skilled Trades Ontario.

Licensing – Electricians must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority.

Municipal requirements – Some municipalities require additional business licenses. For example, the City of Toronto requires a Building Renovator license that renews annually.

Quebec

Licensing – All contractors must hold a license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. Specific trades may require additional certifications. 

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador

Certification – Compulsory trades require a Certificate of Qualification. Some provinces have specific licensing for trades like plumbing and electrical work. 

Saskatchewan

Certification – Compulsory trades require a Certificate of Qualification. Electricians and gas fitters must also be licensed. 

Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Certification – Regulated trades require a Certificate of Qualification. Additional licenses may be necessary for specific trades. 

Joining a Company or Starting Your Own

There are available positions with established construction firms for the role of general contractor. If you choose to strike out on your own like I did, there are added steps to establishing a business. The Canadian government requires that all businesses be registered, whether sole proprietorships, LLCs or corporations, and has an online portal to complete this. Along with a federal business license, you will need a business name, logo, website and other relevant accoutrements of the business-savvy entrepreneur.

Building Your Path to Success

Becoming a general contractor in Canada is a journey that combines education, experience and a fair amount of grit. It’s not a role everyone is cut out for, but it can be a gratifying career for those with a passion for construction, leadership and problem-solving. Whether you choose to work within an established company or carve out a path as an entrepreneur, the opportunities are vast, and the demand for skilled GCs is only growing. With the right mix of preparation and determination, you will not only construct buildings but a thriving career in one of Canada’s most vital industries.