Many of you will be aware of the latest building code changes that were adopted for BC in December 2014. There were many significant changes that affected the cost of building a new home and if you are planning to be a Homeowner Builder, you will want to spend some time educating yourself regarding the new building code. If you have built in the past, you will note that there are significant new requirements.
Also on the horizon for the homeowner builder in BC will be a requirement to complete an examination prior to being able to qualify as a homeowner builder and being given the privilege of building your own home. In speaking with the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), the exact requirements are not yet available but the date that this will be implemented would be July 2016 and the requirements will be forth coming. You may want to check the HPO website for details if your building project is in the near future or speak with a representative at their office for more details.
At Pacific Homes we want you to be aware of these changes as a significant number of our clients are, in fact, homeowner builders. Our prefabricated building packages simplify the building process for you and ensure that the structural requirements in the new building codes are all met. The paperwork required to qualify as a homeowner builder is not something we can assist with and must be in place prior to considering a building project. It is to be noted that comments are often made that homeowner built homes can, in fact, be a superior product as the homeowner is often extremely conscientious about every aspect of his/her new home as he/she is planning to be there long term and not simply building a product to be sold to the real estate market.
Hopefully the qualification requirements for the Homeowner Builder will be realistic and folks will be allowed to continue to be involved in building their own home.