Check the APCHQ's guarantee contract

If you are buying a new home, you might benefit from the 5-year¹ guarantee contract offered by the Association provinciale des constructeurs d'habitations du Québec (APCHQ). The contractor must show you his APCHQ permit. His accreditation generally means that he has a good history. You can also check for any claims against the contractor and inquire about his reputation, specifically concerning delivery time frames.

If you buy from a developer, you should know that the pre-purchase contract, signed in the sales office, is just as valid as a purchase contract. So, you should include all construction details (exact dimensions of the house, style of cabinets, windows, type of materials, etc.), as you saw them in the model home. If you do not do this, you will have a great deal of difficulty proving that your developer did not respect his commitments if the model home no longer exists.

The Association des consommateurs pour la qualité dans la construction (ACQC) recommends that you hire an inspector to monitor and check the quality of the construction work. The ACQC suggests that the inspector make at least five visits-one for each of the main stages in construction (at $100-$150 per visit): 1) ground and excavation, 2) foundation walls and French drain, 3) framework, 4) insulation, plumbing and electricity, and 5) drywall.

Certain buyers elect to be the principal contractor, hiring different workers themselves (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.) to cut costs. This requires some knowledge, and does not necessarily mean that they will save money. According to the ACQC, construction workers may set higher rates for an individual than for a major builder who gives them several contracts per year. Finally, remember to pay for work as it is completed, and not at the start!

1. Available only in Quebec.