Land + construction budget in Quebec in 2026: the fourteen items, in the order they are paid, with the public figures

Building · Budget · 2026

No invented cost per square foot here: the items, in order, with the figures that are public and how to get the others.

A land + construction project in Quebec is budgeted in fourteen items, in the order they are paid: the land and its welcome tax ($980.50 on a $129,500 lot in Drummondville), the surveyor's plan and the certificate, the plans, the building permit ($539 in Victoriaville, $737 in Trois-Rivières, $1,400 in Quebec City, $9.80 per $1,000 of work in Montreal), the connections ($450 for the first dwelling in Laval), the soil study or percolation test, the well and septic system where needed, the construction itself per the quotes, GST and QST on materials and work (less the first-time buyer's $50,000 rebate), construction loan interest, builder's risk insurance, landscaping, double housing during the build and a contingency reserve. Figures read on 15 September 2026 on municipal sites and our pages.

The fourteen items, in order

1. The land. The price, plus the welcome tax on the land: $980.50 on our $129,500 lot at 26B Rue Meunier in Drummondville, calculated on the price because it exceeds the adjusted roll value.
2. The surveyor. Site plan, boundary marking if needed, certificate of location at the end: see certificate of location (in French).
3. The plans. Architect or technologist, structural plans if the city requires them (Gatineau from 3 storeys or 600 m²).
4. The building permit. The fee depends on the city: $539 for a single-family home in Victoriaville, $737 up to $200,000 of work in Trois-Rivières, $1,400 for the first dwelling in Quebec City, $9.80 per $1,000 of work in Montreal (minimum $167.40), $4.70 per $1,000 in Gatineau (minimum $335), $254 + $5 per $1,000 in Sherbrooke, $92 + $2.50 per $1,000 in Laval. Our guides building permits by city give the detail and the delay.
5. The connections. Water and sewer when the street is serviced (in Laval, $450 for the first dwelling plus $300 in the right of way), or well and septic system, preceded by a soil test.
6. The soil study. Bearing capacity, bedrock, water table: it decides the type of foundations.
7. The construction. Per the detailed quotes of your contractor or of each trade; we publish no cost per square foot that we cannot source for a new house.
8. GST and QST. 5% and 9.975% on materials and work (or on the price, if you buy from a builder), less the rebates: up to $6,300 and $9,975 under the thresholds, and up to $50,000 of GST for a first-time buyer. See taxes on a new home.
9. Construction loan interest, paid on the draws disbursed during the build, and the lender's inspection fees: see financing a self-build.
10. The warranty. Included by the accredited contractor (GCR plan, paid by them); absent in a pure self-build: see GCR warranty.
11. Builder's risk insurance, then home insurance on taking possession.
12. Landscaping: driveway, grading, lawn, fence, sometimes required by by-law within a delay after the end of the work.
13. Double housing during the build: rent or current mortgage, on top of the construction loan interest.
14. The contingency reserve, which any lender will want to see in the budget before disbursing the first draw.

What the roll and property tax will do next

Once the house is built, the city enters it on the roll and the tax bill changes; our page property assessment roll explains the gap between the roll and the market, and our pages by city give the rates.

New, resale or build: the question before the budget

Before building, compare with a new home from a builder (GCR warranty, firm price, taxes included or not) and with resale (no sales taxes, existing certificate, but renovations). Our page new home or resale (in French) makes the comparison, and a broker from the team puts the three scenarios side by side with the real sales of your sector.

Frequently asked questions

How much does construction cost per square foot in Quebec in 2026?

The figure depends on the sector, the level of finish and the timing; we publish no average that we cannot source. Two or three detailed quotes on your plans are worth more than any average.

What are the hidden costs of a construction?

The permit and connections, the surveyor, the soil study, sales taxes, interest during the build, builder's risk insurance, landscaping required by by-law, and double housing. They are all in the list above.

Does the land count as a down payment?

Often, yes: land that is paid for, or partly paid for, is considered by the lender in the down payment of the construction loan, under its policy. Get it in writing before buying the lot.

Our proof, not our promises

The Loaa & Manseur team, led by Lotfi Manseur and Loaa Al Daow, is the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 of large residential teams according to the official RE/MAX ranking, computed on actual transactions. Its Google profile counts more than 220 reviews with a 4.9 rating. Its offices are at 55 avenue de l'Équinoxe in Brossard, one bridge from the island, and every broker's licence can be checked in the OACIQ public register. Three things to verify yourself before calling us, and to demand of any other broker.

Also available in French: version française de ce guide.

Published September 7, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.