Ask a HOME BUILDING Professional

The Canadian Home Builders ’ Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to education, professionalism, and
housing affordability. Send your questions to info@chbavictoria.com.

Question: Where can I get a professional home building contract?

Answer: Problems experienced by consumers can often be sourced to using an unprofessional contract. A professional contract provides fair treatment to both you and the contractor. The contract should provide assurance that you will get what you agreed to, including the agreed upon price and schedule. The limits of the contractor’s responsibilities will be equally clear, including your obligations to the contractor for timely payment.

A professional contract should include provisions allowing either party to be released from the contract should the other party default in specific ways. For instance, the contractor may be in default if he/she declares bankruptcy or abandons " the work for a specified period of time. Conversely, the consumer can be found in default if they declare bankruptcy or fail to pay the contractor as agreed.

Professional home building and renovation contracts are available during normal business hours at CHBA-Victoria, #1-3690 Carey Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 4C2 .

Contracts are available to both consumers and contractors and include:

Construction Agreement
Outlines contractual details in clear language, including Builders Lien Holdback and Terms of Payment.

Renovation Agreement
Similar to the construction agreement but designed for renovations. May be used as a cost plus percentage, cost plus fixed fee, or stipulated lump sum contract.

Construction Specifications
From permits to landscaping, this document specifies what is covered.

Change of Work Orders
Helps avoid legal disputes rising from undocumented changes, extras and substitutions.

Purchaser and Contractor Agreement
Intended or smaller projects such s sundecks, skylights, fencing, etc.

Additional CHBA contracts are Costing/Estimate; Offer to Purchase; Sales Agreement; and Builder and Sub-Contractor Agreements. The cost of these contracts ranges from $15 - $40, and they offer great value, specially considering the cost of not having a professional contract in the event of a dispute.

Many people are inexperienced at hiring a contractor, which reinforces the importance of hiring a professional. Unfortunately, there are a number of hobbyists and illegal underground operators passing themselves off as industry professionals. How an you spot them? One indicator is a poor written agreement or no agreement at all.

Professional home building and renovating is not a hobby. Protect your investment and hire a trained professional at www.chbavictoria.com.

Look for "Ask a Home Building Professional" every Wednesday in the Times Colonist.

CHBA Victoria #1-3690 Carey Road, Victoria, BC, V8Z 4C2
Phone: (250) 383-5044 Fax: (250) 383-9423 email: info@chbavictoria.com
websites: www.chbavictoria.com and www.careawards.com
Click here for map to office