Builder licensing to truly protect homebuyers

One of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime is your home. You will likely shop with more scrutiny than you would for anything else, and with good reason. Whether you’re in the market for a newly built single-family home, condo or townhouse, make sure you are working with a reputable and trustworthy builder.

Evolution of licensing

Mandatory builder licensing came into effect Dec. 1, 2017. Prior to that, there were no minimum qualifications required to be a home builder in Alberta. This put consumers at risk of falling prey to unqualified builders. The goal of builder licensing, under the New Home Buyer Protection Amendment Act, is to help ease the burden on home buyers by clearly identifying the good builders and weeding out the unqualified ones.

This new bill requires builders to show they are knowledgeable in home construction and are in good financial standing. Beyond that, builders must also maintain an active license to build new homes and secure warranty coverage which provides further protection.

What this means for homebuyers

This means that when new-home buyers choose a builder in Alberta, they can feel confident they are getting a quality product from a reputable builder. The addition of warranty coverage means that consumers have a reliable resource to go to should something go wrong.

Finding a licensed builder

Wondering if a builder you’re considering working with is up-to-date with a license? Check out the Builder Registry that is now available on the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Affairs website.

Other great sources to find a reputable builder are the Building Industry and Land Development Calgary Region (BILD Calgary Region), Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Edmonton Region (CHBA – Edmonton Region) and Urban Development Institute Edmonton Region (UDI Edmonton Region) websites where you can search through Member Directories for each city.

BILD Alberta members have been securing warranty coverage and serving homeowners with integrity while meeting industry standards for more than 40 years. New home warranty is a complex issue. Check back next month to learn more.