Residential builders now face tougher licensing requirements to better protect home buyers.
Continuing education requirements as well as new qualifications were annouced by the province yesterday.
To renew their license, all home builders will be required to take continuing professional development courses directly related to residential construction each year.
“Mandatory building education is something we’ve been advocating for years,” said Casey Edge, executive director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association.
There are more than 6,000 licensed residential builders in B.C. Last year, more than 30,000 new homes were built in B.C.
“Our goal is to protect new homebuyers across British Columbia. We worked with the construction industry to make these changes,” said Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman.
Edge’s only criticism is who will be handling the educational aspect.
“An agency that doesn’t build homes will be managing that so it’s disappointing. [A professional builders association is] most qualified because it is the field doing the work.”
Builders must now demonstrate competence in seven different areas related to residential building such as the B.C. Building Code, construction management and customer relations.
“It’s not like building homes 30 years ago,” said Edge.