Building BC - 2011 Year in Review: Page 6 of 10

Licensing and New Home Construction

New Homes Enrolled With Home Warranty Insurance

In 2011, there were a total of 22,455 new homes enrolled with home warranty insurance including 14,845 homes in multi-unit buildings and 7,610 single-detached homes.

Compared to 2010, the total number of new homes enrolled with home warranty insurance decreased by 4%, mainly due to the decline (-13%) in single-detached homes. The number for homes in multi-unit buildings increased marginally (+1%) in 2011.

Note: New Homes enrolled include homes constructed by Licensed Residential Builders for which the HPO has received verification from the home warranty insurance company that warranty insurance is in place. Minor adjustments may be made to these figures over time as de-enrollments and re-enrollments occur.

Licensed Residential Builders

In 2011, there were 5,368 Licensed Residential Builders in the province, up by 6% from 2010. This marked the third highest number since 2001.

Note: The number of Licensed Residential Builders includes new licences issued and licence renewals for both Licensed Residential Builders and those who are dually licensed as Licensed Residential Builders and Building Envelope Renovators.

Licensed Building Envelope Renovators

The number of Licensed Building Envelope Renovators has trended upward since 2007 and reached 97 in 2011, marking the highest level since 2001.

Owner Builders

An owner builder is an individual authorized by the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) to build a new home for their personal use. As of November 19, 2007, individuals wanting to be an owner builder of a new home are required to obtain an Owner Builder Authorization from the HPO.

In 2011, there were 2,600 Owner Builder Authorizations approved by HPO, down by 13% from 2010. Despite a slight increase in 2010, the number of Owner Builder Authorizations approved has been dropping since 2006.

Note: The number of owner builder authorizations approved by HPO includes the number of Owner Builder Declaration and Disclosure Notices that have been verified for eligibility and issued to owner-builders prior to November 19, 2007 and the number of Owner Builder Authorizations approved by the HPO since November 19, 2007.