New B.C. home builder competency rules now in effect

Effective March 4, 2016, new licence applicants identified as general contractors who have not previously held a residential builder licence, and will be constructing single-family homes and small residential buildings in B.C. under Part 9 of the BC Building Code, are now required to meet a new qualification standard before a licence will be issued.

Even builders who previously held a residential builder licence will have to qualify if their licence was closed for failing to renew, if their licence was cancelled or if they contravened a condition of their licence within the last five years.

High hopes for streamlined regulations
The new provincial requirements have waiting enactment for a while, having received Royal Assent almost one year ago.  According to the Homeowner Protection Office of BC Housing “These changes were the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders. They reflect the industry’s desire to raise the bar of professionalism and improve the quality of residential construction in B.C., giving homebuyers even greater confidence that their homes have been built to a high standard.”

Municipalities removed from the equation
The result, at the enforcement level, is that any local requirements that overlap the provincial regulations will no longer be in effect. Furthermore, municipalities must rescind any existing requirements that conflict with the new provincial act by March 2018. Only the City of Vancouver is exempt, thus allowing it to create and enforce its own building regulations, just as local governments have historically done in the province.

Although existing licensed builders need not be concerned, under BC’s new regulations eventually their number will come up

Specific requirements needed to obtain a new licence
The new qualification standard can be found in the Homeowner Protection Act Regulations. Applicants must provide proof of 24  months of experience managing or supervising residential construction, obtained within the last five years (although not necessarily consecutive) and successfully demonstrated the knowledge and skill needed to manage a licensed residential construction company as outlined in the new standards.

These include the following core items:
Relevant enactments; construction management and supervision; construction technology; customer service and home warranty insurance; financial planning and budget management; legal issues; and business planning, management and administration. Various training options are available and are outlined in detail in the regulations.

Government oversight, not industry oversight
Initially, the streamlining of these regulations under the authority of one provincial body was welcomed by such groups of the Victoria Residential Builders Association, who spoke of the increased protection to be offered home buyers. However, Casey Edge, the VRBA’s executive director, has expressed disappointment that oversight will be provided by a government agency, not one that actually builds homes. Edge suggests that a professional builders’ association is best qualified to oversee and interpret regulations, given the experience members have in the field.

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