The BC government is establishing new qualifications and continuing education requirements for residential home builders and renovators, under the Homeowner Protection Act.
Their goal is to protect new homebuyers across BC:
To obtain a new licence, home builders will be required to demonstrate proficiency in seven areas:
* The BC Building Code and other relevant laws and regulations.
* The principles of construction management such as project planning, cost estimating, and project supervision.
* Residential construction and building science including building envelope and mechanical systems such as heating.
* Managing and maintaining positive customer relations including response to defects identified under home warranty.
* Financial planning and budgeting.
* Legal issues, provincial laws and municipal bylaws affecting residential construction.
* Strategic business planning, management and administration.
These qualifications can be met through a combination of education and experience or equivalencies.
Home builders with existing licences will not need to re-qualify under the enhanced licensing system.
To renew their licence, home builders will be required to take continuing professional development courses directly related to residential construction each year.
The enhanced licensing system will be phased in over the next 16 months to give the industry time to prepare for the new requirements.
Did you know?
* There are 6,000+ licensed residential builders in BC.
* In 2014, more than 30,000 new homes were built in BC including 11,695 detached homes and 19,069 home in multi-unit buildings.
For more information Contact:
Carmen Leal
Macdonald Realty Ltd.
www.CarmenLeal.ca
carmen@carmenleal.ca
604.218.4846
