Last updated: April 2026 · By L’Équipe Marcil inc, Sherrington (Quebec)
In short: a good asphalt crack sealing contractor can be recognized by six measurable criteria: a valid RBQ licence, civil liability insurance, use of an MTQ-approved sealant, a rigorous preparation process (compressed air cleaning + propane torch heating), a minimum 2-year written warranty, and availability for a free on-site visit. This article gives you a practical evaluation grid to use from your very first request for quotes.
Why the choice of contractor matters so much
A hot-applied crack sealing job done by a competent crew can protect your asphalt for 5 to 7 years in Quebec. The same work done by a careless team can crack by the first winter, leaving your pavement in worse shape than if you had done nothing at all (because a poor sealant traps moisture beneath the surface instead of keeping it out). The difference between these two scenarios has nothing to do with the brand of product used — it comes down to the rigour of execution and the business integrity of the company.
The 6 criteria for recognizing a good contractor
1. Valid and up-to-date RBQ licence
In Quebec, any contractor who performs road construction or repair work must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) in the appropriate sub-category (generally 2.5 — Paving Contractor or 4.2 — Transportation Infrastructure Construction Contractor, depending on the scope). Ask for the licence number in the quote and verify it on the RBQ public registry. A contractor who hesitates to give you their number, or who uses a third party’s licence, should be ruled out immediately.
2. Adequate civil liability insurance
A good contractor carries civil liability insurance coverage of at least $2 million, with a valid certificate at the time of work. In the event of an accident — a slip on a poorly finished sealant, damage to a vehicle, product spray onto a neighbouring property — it is the contractor’s insurance that covers it, not yours. Ask for a copy of the certificate before signing the contract.
3. Product approved to MTQ 14501 standard
The sealant used must appear on the List of Approved Materials from the Quebec Ministry of Transportation (MTQ). The reference products in Quebec are Crafco 522, Crafco Roadsaver 231, Dynapave D-9000, and Meadowsprings MPS 2100. Categorically refuse any contractor who offers you a “generic” sealant or who cannot precisely name the product they will use.
4. Rigorous preparation process
The quality of a crack sealing job depends 60% on crack preparation and 40% on the product itself. A serious contractor will explain their process without you having to ask:
- Preliminary visual inspection and crack mapping
- Cleaning cracks with high-pressure compressed air (not just a quick sweep)
- Heating the crack edges with a propane torch before application
- Using a double-boiler melter (not a simple direct burner)
- Continuous monitoring of product temperature with a digital thermometer
- Dusting with an anti-tracking agent as a finish
For the complete technical details, see our asphalt crack sealing guide.
5. Written warranty of at least 2 years
A good hot-applied crack sealing job easily holds 5 to 7 years in a Quebec climate. A contractor who is confident in their work will therefore offer a written warranty of at least 2 years covering full re-treatment if cracks reopen in the treated area. A verbal warranty is worthless. A 30- or 60-day warranty is a red flag: if the contractor doesn’t believe in their own work, why should you?
6. Free on-site visit before quoting
No competent contractor can give you a reliable price over the phone. The cost of a crack sealing job depends on the actual linear footage of cracks, their depth, the condition of the substrate, and the accessibility of the site. A quote given without an inspection is either an inflated teaser price or a rough estimate that will blow up at billing time. Require an on-site visit and a detailed written quote before signing anything.
3 warning signs to avoid immediately
Door-to-door solicitation
“Crews passing by” who ring your doorbell saying they were working at a neighbour’s place and have leftover product to use are almost always scams. Hot-applied sealant cannot be stored once melted — it cannot “be left over” from one day to the next. These crews often use recycled tar or diluted bitumen that won’t last a winter.
Discounts of 50% or more
In professional crack sealing in Quebec, material costs represent approximately 30 to 40% of the final price. A contractor offering a 50% discount is sacrificing either the labour (inexperienced crew), the product (diluted or cold-applied sealant), or both. The real margin on a well-done job is about 20 to 25%, and nobody works at a loss indefinitely.
100% cash payment demanded
A contractor who refuses traceable payment methods (cheque, bank transfer, card) and demands cash only is likely operating with tax irregularities and/or without issuing you an invoice. Without an invoice, you have no recourse if something goes wrong, and no possible tax deduction if the expense is for your business.
Your 10-question evaluation grid
Before signing with a contractor, ask these 10 questions and compare the answers from three bidders:
- What is your RBQ licence number?
- Can you provide your civil liability insurance certificate?
- What exact product do you use? Is it approved to MTQ 14501?
- Describe your preparation process before application.
- Do you use a double-boiler melter, and at what temperature do you heat the sealant?
- How long is your written warranty and what exactly does it cover?
- When could you come and assess my site in person?
- Can I see examples of similar jobs you have completed recently?
- Do you accept payment by cheque or bank transfer?
- How long after the work is done can I use the parking lot normally?
The answers to these questions are enough to eliminate 80% of poor contractors without even an on-site visit.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?
Three, ideally. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two allow a simple comparison. Three eliminate outliers (the very low price that hides something, or the very high price that overcharges). Beyond three, you are wasting your time without gaining any clarity.
Should I always go with the cheapest quote?
No. If the three quotes are within a 15–20% range of each other, choose the contractor who is most transparent about their process and most reassuring about their warranty. If one quote is 40–50% cheaper than the others, treat it as a red flag — something being sacrificed explains the gap.
Is a local contractor always better than one from Montreal?
Not always, but often yes. A local contractor has lower travel costs (which reduces the final price), knows the climate and soil conditions of your area better, and remains more easily reachable if a problem arises after the warranty period. For Montérégie, a contractor based in Sherrington, Saint-Rémi, or Saint-Jean will almost always be better positioned than one from Montreal or Laval.
What if I don’t know anyone who has had crack sealing done?
Check Google reviews and local Facebook groups for your municipality. Be wary of review sites that accumulate 5-star ratings across the board with no nuance — real companies always have at least a few mixed reviews that help them improve.
Need a quote for your crack sealing project?
Free on-site visit in Montérégie and on the South Shore of Montreal
(514) 826-3568
lequipemarcil@live.ca