General Contractor Licensing and Requirements
Finding a good general contractor can be challenging. Fortunately, the British Columbia Homeowner Protection Act is a set of laws and guidelines established by the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) to ensure builder credentials. These licensing requirements were developed to prevent the construction of unsafe or poorly constructed buildings. In British Columbia, provincial licensing is required for many trades, including residential construction, building envelope renovations, gas piping, gas venting, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, sheet metal workers, plumbers, electricians, and gas installers.
Residential building
Builders responsible for building homes in BC must be licensed residential builders. These licensed professionals are also required to offer warranties covering the new building for up to 7 years. Additionally, under this license, contractors are responsible for all aspects of construction, from permitting to landscaping. It is also the responsibility of this contractor to ensure that all subcontractors are also licensed by the province.
Renovation of the building envelope
Contractors who remodel buildings without affecting structural elements are known as envelope renovators. These contractors are licensed similar to residential construction contractors, and are also required to provide a bond or insurance on the renovation. Likewise, these contractors must guarantee the licenses for the subcontractors.
Gas pipe
Gas piping licenses are required for people who install and test gas piping. These professionals must have a body trades license and qualification certification. The qualification certificate is a general certification for many trades.
gas venting license
This license allows professionals to repair, modify, and install venting for use in high-pressure propane and natural gas applications.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
These professionals install, maintain, and repair residential, industrial, and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units. This requires a qualification certification.
sheet metal
Sheet metal workers are certified to design, fabricate, install, erect, assemble, and disassemble sheet metal applications. Special certification in sheet metal work ensures that they are qualified to work with many systems, including furnaces, fan systems, and ventilation systems.
Plumbing
Plumbers in BC are not actually required to have special licenses, although many members of the trade do obtain a qualifying certification when working as a registered apprentice.
electricians
Qualification certification is the only licensing requirement for electricians. Electricians may work on residential, institutional, commercial, industrial, civic, and electrical systems.
gas fitter
Gas systems may only be installed or modified by licensed, registered contractors. Once certified, these professionals are also registered in the province to ensure proper installation and maintenance of gas systems. There are two classes of gas fitters in BC: Class A and Class B. Class A gas fitters can install or modify any system; while Class B gas fitters are qualified for piping trades, but can only work on atmospheric appliances with vent hoods and equipment and vents up to 690,000 BTU (220kW).