SPONSORED CONTENT
Being a good builder involves more than just meeting required competencies and following regulations – it means staying on top of industry trends. As the homebuilding sector and consumer expectations evolve, builders must stay current with the latest trends, technologies and best practices to maintain their competitive edge and ensure high-quality work.
In Ontario, builders and sellers of new homes must be licensed by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). As the regulator of nearly 7,000 licensed builders and sellers across the province, the HCRA upholds professional standards and protects consumers, helping them make informed decisions in one of the biggest financial purchases of their lives – a new home.
Building industry capacity
The HCRA is committed to protecting new-home buyers by holding new-home builders to licensing and regulatory standards. In fact, building or selling a new home without an HCRA licence in the province is illegal. As a licensed builder, it indicates that you have met the necessary competencies and standards to operate a homebuilding business.
In Ontario, builders must meet and maintain several technical and business competencies to become or remain licensed. Recognizing the diverse and often multigenerational backgrounds of builders, the HCRA has adopted an inclusive approach to helping them meet these requirements, placing significant emphasis on previous experience as a key factor in its approach.
This agile approach looks beyond builders’ formal education to focus on practical skills and lived experience. By valuing real-world expertise alongside traditional qualifications, the HCRA ensures a more comprehensive and inclusive assessment process, tailored to the unique backgrounds of each applicant. When evaluating a builder’s previous experience, in addition to any formal training, the HCRA also considers professional designations, reference letters, and customer testimonials to assess competency levels. This innovative perspective positions the HCRA ahead of the curve, establishing it as a leader among regulatory bodies and providing personalized, thoughtful support for new and existing licensees across Ontario.
Education through collaboration
Beyond our licensing and regulatory mandate, the HCRA is breaking new ground with our research and education program. This initiative, the first of its kind, involves collaboration with various stakeholders, industry technical experts and consumer groups across Canada. Together, we are endeavouring to increase access to educational resources for our licensees and will also develop resources to help builders stay ahead of emerging trends and best practices in home construction, while also creating materials to educate and raise awareness among new-home buyers and homeowners.
As the industry faces evolving trends and technologies, builders have shown strong interest in resources that support high-quality construction and provide their site supervisors and trades with timely training and educational materials. To shape this program, the HCRA is working closely with other regulators, industry and consumer organizations, to identify key topics of interest. The feedback is clear – there is a need for practical construction tips delivered in concise, accessible and cost-effective formats. Several key topics have emerged through surveys and consultative discussions, including:
• Resources that prepare builders for changes to the 2024 Ontario Building Code (OBC)
• Joint training opportunities between builders and building officials
• Cases studies on new construction trends, such as mass timber, Net Zero and modular housing
• Best practices for radon and soil mitigation
• Tips on secondary suites and fire separation, including insights from the 2024 OBC updates
• Research and practical advice on flashings, double vapour barriers, and systems related to condensation issues
• Best practice guides for common warranty defects
The HCRA’s initial project for builders will focus on the new Ontario Building Code and Tarion warranty requirements related to radon, best construction practices for radon and soil mitigation, incorporating analysis from Ontario building officials. For consumers, the focus will be on providing maintenance resources for lowrise homes and condominiums, tips for maintaining energy-efficient homes, and additional safety and performance guidelines. These materials will be hosted on a web-based Resource Hub, which will also amplify content from partner organizations for both licensees and new homeowners.
Supporting good builders
In the dynamic field of home construction, continuous learning and adaptability are essential. The HCRA is committed to supporting builders throughout the licensing process and providing increased access to education and resources so they can better support their customers. By equipping builders with the tools and knowledge needed to meet industry standards, the HCRA fosters ongoing development and competence in a rapidly evolving market.
To learn more about our initiatives and resources, visit hcraontario.ca.
