Building BC - Spring 2010 | Homeowner Protection Office

Building BC is published by the Homeowner Protection Office for Licensed Residential Builders and Licensed Building Envelope Renovators, as well as our partners within the residential construction industry.

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Homeowner Protection Act Responsibilities Transferred

As part of government’s review of Crown corporations, the Province will transfer a number of the key responsibilities under the Homeowner Protection Act effective April 1, 2010.

The transfer of responsibilities includes:

Transferring the residential builder and building envelope renovator licensing, owner builder authorization and the research and education responsibilities to BC Housing.
Transferring the administration of the Reconstruction Program to the Ministry of Finance. HPO stopped accepting new applications for this program in July 2009.

As of June 30, 2010 the PST Relief Grant for owners of homes with completed building envelope repairs will be terminated in conjunction with the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Applications for the grant will be accepted at the current HPO address until 4:00 p.m. on June 30, 2010.

Carrying the Olympic Torch – the Job of a Lifetime

Shayne Ramsay, CEO of the HPO and BC Housing, had the job of a lifetime on Thursday, February 11 when he proudly carried the Olympic Torch for 300 metres through Burnaby on this leg of the flame’s 45,000 kilometre, 106-day journey through 1,000 communities.

Survey Monitors the Pulse of Licensed Residential Builders in B.C.

The Licensed Residential Builder survey has been providing the HPO with a snapshot of perceptions on a range of topics since it was first introduced in 2003. Over the years, the survey has attracted a growing number of participants with 1,125 builders participating in November, 2009.

Building Smart #12 – Spring 2010

Changes to the BC Building Code and Emerging Green Technologies

Register for Building Smart #12 and learn first hand how British Columbia is setting the standard for environmental and energy responsible home construction, and is ready to take the next steps with revisions to the BC Building Code.

Building Smart Online Now Available

Builders interested in online training can now purchase and view the HPO’s first Building Smart Online seminar. The introduction of online seminars provides a convenient and effective solution for builders who ask, “How can I see the seminars that I have missed?

Builders Benefit from New Online Licence and Renewal Service

Applying for a residential builder licence or renewing an existing licence is now quicker, easier and more convenient – thanks to new online services designed to streamline and modernize our system. The Homeowner Protection Office launched the online services for residential builders and building envelope renovators in January this year and the feedback has been resoundingly positive.

Forgot your password?

If you are a Licensed Residential Builder and want to register a home for home warranty insurance, or renew or make changes to your licence, you need to know your account name and your password

Compliance Update

As most Licensed Residential Builders know, the HPO Compliance Team spends a significant amount of time ensuring that owner builders comply with owner builder authorizations. What licensees may not be aware of is that the HPO’s compliance officers and investigators spend just as much time investigating unlicensed builders and developers who try to avoid compliance through other means.

New Energy Efficiency Regulations for Water Heaters

Water heaters are among the largest users of energy in the home and are a significant source of residential greenhouse gas emissions. After carrying out a public consultation in late 2008, in the fall of 2009, the Government of British Columbia passed new energy efficiency regulations for water heaters.

Energy Efficiency in Multi-unit Residential Buildings

In Canada, approximately 30% of all secondary energy is consumed in buildings (NRCan 2005). Secondary energy is energy used by final consumers (i.e. operation energy) and does not include energy used in the production and transportation of energy. Sixteen percent (16%) is used in residential buildings and 14% in commercial and institutional buildings. Of the residential portion, 18% is used in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). High-rise MURBs are one of the fastest growing housing segments in urban areas and make up a significant percentage of the housing stock in urban areas throughout Canada.