Home builders caution new buyers on contractors
Achieving the great Canadian dream of home ownership is a milestone people should approach carefully by adhering to all necessary rules and regulations, say representatives from the Ontario Building Partnership and Tarion, the only mandatory warranty administrator in Ontario for new residential builds.
At a recently-sold Rinaldi Homes unit on Rosewood Crescent in Fonthill, Tarion’s vicepresident of stakeholder engagement Siloni Waraich was joined by representatives of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association to discuss how home buyers should protect themselves.
“We want to make sure new homeowners and buyers understand what they’re getting into before they embark on this great adventure — where they are spending their entire life savings,” said Waraich.
Certified contractors are listed on the Ontario Builders Directory, available through Tarion’s website.
“The public is able to look at that directory and find if the person they are engaging in a contract with is, in fact, a licensed builder,” she said.
Since 2015, Tarion’s compliance and investigation team has opened 83 cases dealing with 149 homes in Niagara, resulting in 89 charges and 57 convictions in provincial court.
Waraich said although these numbers are definitively higher than the average in other parts of Ontario, it’s a “good news story” because it means people in Niagara are paying attention.
“That means people know to call us,” said Waraich. “There are areas where there is complete silence, but we know there are things happening.”
Joe Vaccaro, Ontario Home Builders’ Association chief executive officer, said confirming that a builder is registered with Tarion is a vital first step before any paperwork is signed — especially if something goes wrong along the way.
“It’s the best way to protect yourself and it’s the best way to ensure you have warranty protection,” he said.
Jonathan Whyte, president of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, said some contractors encourage customers to take out a building permit in their own name, something people need to be wary of.
“If you’re the property owner taking out the permit, you’re personally liable for any health and safety issues that occur on your property,” said Whyte.
“We promote hiring a skilled, reputable builder to handle the most important investment you’ve likely made in your life,” he added.
The association is working with municipal partners in Niagara Falls on a pilot project that involves a questionnaire being presented by building officials to individuals looking to construct new homes to raise awareness about the rules of the industry.