Purchasing a home is something many Albertans spend years – even decades – planning and saving for. It often fulfils a lifelong dream or starts a family legacy. However, without the assurance that the quality of their investment will last, a dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare, costing homeowners thousands for home repair and replacements. That’s why Alberta’s government wants feedback from new homebuyers and builders.

“Buying a new home is often the biggest purchase Albertans will make and they should have confidence in the quality of houses they are buying. Our goal is to protect the investments of hard-working Albertans by ensuring homes being built are meeting safety and quality standards.”

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Municipal Affairs

Ensuring housing quality reduces risk for homebuyers, both longtime residents and those new to the province, which is good for the economy and Alberta’s immigration goals.

The public survey asks homebuyers about new home warranty and builder licensing. The information gathered will help the government better understand how well the protection policies and programs are serving homebuyers and helping to improve the experience of buying a new home. The survey will be available until Dec. 22.

Quick facts

  • The New Home Buyer Protection Act came into force on Feb. 1, 2014, to increase consumer protection, improve residential building quality and increase accountability of residential builders and warranty providers.

  • The act requires every new home built in Alberta to have warranty protection and, as of 2017, requires all homebuilders operating in the province to be licensed.

  • More than 210,000 homes in Alberta have had new home warranty coverage since the program was launched.

  • Currently, 2,500 builders are licensed under the program.

  • The mandatory warranty on all new homes (constructed or installed) covers:

    • one year for materials and labour

    • two years for delivery and distribution systems

    • five years for building envelope

    • 10 years for structural defects

  • The superintendent of insurance (under Treasury Board and Finance) regulates insurance companies, including those that provide new home warranties.