Going out on your own
How to start a cost consulting practice in Ontario
Quantity surveyors are the cost experts of construction — estimating, cost planning, contract administration, and claims. The title is not legally reserved, but the recognized credential is the PQS (Professional Quantity Surveyor) from the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS).
Quantity Surveyor at a glance
- Credential
- Not licensed — the PQS designation is the recognized credential
- Path in
- CIQS-accredited program → approved experience → TPE
- Regulated by
- Not government-regulated; CIQS sets the standard
- Insurance baseline
- Professional liability (E&O) for a cost-consulting practice
- Professional body
- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)
The steps to start your practice
- 1
Stand up your cost-consulting practice
Quantity surveying is unregulated, so there is no firm-licence step — but clients expect a PQS-designated principal and professional liability (E&O) insurance. Incorporate, set up your accounts, and carry E&O to win consulting and contractor work.
Full guide: Insurance - 2
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.
Full guide: Incorporation - 3
Set up your CRA accounts
Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.
Full guide: CRA Registration - 4
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.
Full guide: Insurance - 5
Stand up your practice operations
Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.
Full guide: Operational Setup
Your launch checklist
The whole page in one list.
- Stand up your cost-consulting practice
- Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
- Set up your CRA accounts
- Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
- Stand up your practice operations
Let AEC Stack handle the business side
Incorporation, CRA, insurance, and the operations to run a practice, set up so you can focus on the professional work.
Start your practice