Claiming on the GCR warranty: the delays, the conciliation steps and what gets a file rejected

Building · GCR warranty · Claim

The exact procedure, in order, with the delay at each step and the three mistakes that lose an otherwise valid claim.

A claim to the Garantie de construction résidentielle is made in writing, to the contractor and to GCR at the same time, within a reasonable time after discovering the problem, which case law sets at six months. GCR sends the form and the list of documents within 15 days; the contractor gets a delay to correct; if it does not, GCR inspects within the following 15 days and issues a written decision within 30 days of the inspection. The decision can be challenged by arbitration. Rejected files are rejected mostly for three reasons: late reporting, acceptance of the building more than 24 months after the end of the work, or a problem outside the three periods (1 year poor workmanship, 3 years hidden defects, 5 years major defects). Figures read on garantiegcr.com on 15 September 2026.

Before the claim: the pre-acceptance inspection

Everything starts with the pre-acceptance inspection, done with the contractor on GCR's form, ideally with a building inspector at your side. The list of work to complete or correct is recorded there, and the agreed delay to do it cannot exceed six months. That document also sets the acceptance date, the starting point of the 1-year and 3-year periods of the GCR warranty. Our guide to the pre-purchase inspection explains what an inspector looks at.

The steps, in order

1. Report in writing, to both. A letter to the contractor and to GCR, with photos and dates, within a reasonable time after discovering the problem; GCR notes that case law retains six months. A defect that appears gradually is reported at its first significant manifestation.
2. 15 days. On receiving the notice, GCR sends the claim form and the list of documents.
3. The contractor's delay. It gets a delay to correct or propose a solution; without agreement, the file goes to conciliation.
4. The inspection. Within 15 days after the contractor's delay expires, GCR inspects on site.
5. The decision. Within 30 days of the inspection, GCR issues a written report that rules point by point: covered, not covered, correction delay.
6. Execution or arbitration. The contractor performs within the set delay; otherwise GCR has the work done within its caps. A dissatisfied party can request arbitration.

The three reasons a file is rejected

• Late reporting. A problem known for a year and reported when selling the house is out of time, even if it is real.
• Late acceptance. If acceptance of the building took place more than 24 months after the end of the work, the guarantee does not apply.
• The wrong period. A finishing defect reported in year two is no longer covered (1-year period), whereas a hidden defect is covered up to three years and a major defect up to five years after the end of the work.

What if you buy a two-year-old new home?

The guarantee follows the building, not the first buyer: the balance of the 3-year and 5-year periods benefits the second owner. Ask for the acceptance certificate, the pre-acceptance inspection report and the claims already made; a broker from the team requires them before the promise to purchase. The seller's declaration must mention past claims.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline to file a GCR claim?

A reasonable time after discovery, which case law sets at six months, within the 1, 3 or 5-year periods. Report as soon as you discover the problem, in writing, to the contractor and to GCR.

How long does a GCR claim take?

Form within 15 days, the contractor's delay, inspection within the following 15 days, decision within 30 days of the inspection: count a few months between reporting and decision, plus the delay to carry out the work.

Can I challenge GCR's decision?

Yes, by arbitration, within the delay stated in the decision. A construction lawyer is worth the cost when the amount at stake runs to tens of thousands of dollars.

Sources: garantiegcr.com, pages “Quelles protections s'appliquent à ma nouvelle propriété?”, “Frequently asked questions” and the “Your protections” sheet, read on 15 September 2026. Informational page: the guarantee contract and the regulation prevail.

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.