All about the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR)

A new construction project often raises a lot of questions for future buyers. Since this is a major financial investment, you don’t want your home to be built by someone without expertise. That’s why it’s important to find out about the guarantees that apply to your construction project and the reputation of the contractors. la réputation des entrepreneurs. One particularly important guarantee plan is the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) . Here’s why!

What is GCR?

Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is a non-profit organization (NPO) that administers the guarantee plan for new residential buildings in Québec. This NPO protects buyers of new homes and condominiums in case of default by the contractor, before, during and after the construction. At the same time, the GCR assists contractors in improving the quality of their constructions.

Protections before, during and after

When GCR certifies a contractor, buyers are entitled to all the protections offered by the organization.

GCR Quality Rating

To identify the contractors who stand out in the construction industry, GCR has developed a scale to rate them according to :

• the technical quality of their constructions;
• the financial health of the contractor;
• the satisfaction of their customers.

As a result, they receive a GCR Quality Rating ranging from AA (above expectations) to D (well below expectations).

Contractors with an excellent rating can maintain it by continuing their good work, and those with a poor rating can improve it by putting in the necessary effort.

At Maison Usinex, we are constantly seeking to improve our skills in order to offer our clients superior quality homes. The GCR Quality AA accreditation we received in 2020 is a reflection to our commitment to always offer constructions that meet the highest standards in the industry.

The guarantee contract

The guarantee contract is proof that you are covered by the GRC plan. This contract  Ce contrat must be signed at the same time as your preliminary contract or business contract.

Include the following information in the guarantee contract to ensure compliance:

• offered protections;
• claims procedures;
• possible recourses;
• the contractor’s contact information (legal name, RBQ license number, GCR accreditation number and mailing address);
• contact information for the beneficiary(ies) (last name, first name and mailing address);
• information on the building concerned (mailing address and preliminary or enterprise contract number).

Exceptions to verify

Before buying or building a house, make sure that the contractor you are dealing with is accredited by GCR accrédité par GCR and holds a license from  Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Although it is illegal for a contractor to build a house for resale without being certified by GCR, the way some contractors proceed could result in the construction not being covered by the guarantees. These verifications could save you a lot of trouble!

For example, if a self-builder builds a house in his own name and sells it to you, you will not be able to benefit from the guarantee plan and its protections. In other words, self-builds are not covered by the Garantie de construction résidentielle.

Furthermore, when you buy a house that had major renovations, it is not covered by the guarantee plan for new residential buildings in Québec. In fact, even if the building looks completely new, some parts of the original construction may have been preserved. Therefore, contractors are not obligated to offer the guarantee.

Finally, buildings of 4 units or more in height do not have to be built by GCR accredited contractors. As these constructions are becoming more and more popular, you have one more reason to verify before you buy!

Insurance protections

Just because you have GCR coverage on your new construction does not mean you are insured. It is strongly recommended, or even required, if you have a creditor, to insure your home from the beginning of the construction.

Si vous faites affaires avec une entreprise comme Maison Usinex, If you do business with a company like Maison Usinex, you don’t need to insure your house when it is built in the factory. You save on your insurance, since Maison Usinex already pays for it! You must have a home insurance policy to cover your building under construction and your civil liability only when the work begins on your property.

When you move in, you can change your insurance coverage to suit your needs. Our advice: get several estimates before you decide on an insurer!

Find out more tips on buying a factory-built home.