Launch Your All Other Specialty Trade Contractors Business in Burnaby
This page helps you launch an All Other Specialty Trade Contractors business in Burnaby (NAICS 238990). It provides a practical six-step requirements overview, the permits you’ll need, startup costs, and a clear timeline from setup to first project. You’ll get a practical path for turning your trade expertise into a compliant, ready-to-bid operation in a city with strong construction activity.
You’ll learn the six essential requirements you must meet: registering your business with the provincial registry, securing a Burnaby business license, obtaining any needed provincial permits or inspections for your specialty trades, arranging insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage, registering for GST/HST and a CRA business number, and establishing basic bookkeeping and project timelines. The guide also covers typical costs (license and permit fees, insurance, tools, and marketing) and a realistic timeline—often a matter of weeks to a couple of months—so you can plan confidently.
Burnaby’s location near Vancouver, a growing construction scene, and supportive city services make it a smart base for your All Other Specialty Trade Contractors venture.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is SkilledTradesBC Compulsory Trades Certification. This is a legally required qualification you cannot operate without, so it is non-negotiable. Without it you may be barred from legally performing or supervising trade work, and you’ll be out of compliance from day one.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: In practice, your day-to-day operations must prioritize health and safety and have the right permits and coverage. Your workers and you should be covered under WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration, and you should maintain ongoing safety training and compliant job-site practices. Keeping this safety framework current helps protect your team and keeps projects running smoothly.
Business Registration & Tax: Set up the core registrations that keep your business legitimate and able to bill clients. Obtain a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency, register your BC Business Name if you’re operating as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership, and arrange GST/HST Registration and Payroll Deductions Registration as needed. These steps help you handle taxes, invoicing, and payroll correctly from the start.
Encouragement: To move forward, check the specific SkilledTradesBC requirements for your trade, then start the registrations (BN, BC name, GST/HST, payroll) and the WorkSafeBC setup. Tackle these one by one with realistic timelines, and you’ll build a solid, compliant foundation for your Burnaby specialty-trade contracting business. If you’d like, I can help map out a simple 60-day action plan.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a all other specialty trade contractors in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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SkilledTradesBC Compulsory Trades Certification RequiredMandatory certification for designated skilled trades in British Columbia through SkilledTradesBC Skilled Trades Certification required for designated compulsory trades. Workers must be registered apprentice, certified journeyperson, or designated Uncertified Experienced Worker. First 7 electrical/mechanical trades implemented Dec 1, 2023. Three automotive trades added 2024. Employers must maintain 2:1 apprentice to journeyperson ratio. Experience pathways: Level Challenger (1-4 years exp), Trade Qualifier (5+ years), or Uncertified Experienced Worker (5+ years, 5-year authorization). Contact SkilledTradesBC: 778-328-8700.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your all other specialty trade contractors:
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The ATTC provides qualifying Ontario employers with a refundable tax credit equal to 25% of eligible expenditures (30% for small businesses) incurred during the first 36 months of a qualifying apprenticeship, up to a maximum of $5,000 per qualifying apprentice per year. The credit applies only to apprenticeship programs that …
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The Labour Mobility Deduction (LMD), enacted via Bill C-241, provides tradespeople and indentured apprentices in construction with a personal income tax deduction of up to $4,000 per year for eligible temporary relocation expenses. The worker must temporarily relocate more than 150 km from their ordinary residence within Canada for at …
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$50M two-year initiative (2024–2026) delivered by Canada's regional development agencies. Provides repayable contributions to businesses and non-repayable to non-profits and governments, covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Projects from $200K to $5M. Applicants must have been in business at least 2 years.
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A $595 million program (Budget 2021) plus $90 million additional (Budget 2024, for housing trades). Since its launch in 2022, the program has funded 11,459 employers to create 17,208 apprenticeship placements. Provides $5,000 per first-year apprentice hired in one of 39 eligible Red Seal designated trades. An additional $5,000 is …
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