GCR warranty on a new home in Quebec: what it covers for 1, 3 and 5 years, the caps and what it excludes

Building · GCR warranty · 2026

The mandatory plan for new homes, figure by figure: deposits, completion, the three periods after acceptance, the caps, the buildings covered and the exclusions.

The Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is the mandatory guarantee plan for new residential buildings in Quebec, paid by the accredited contractor. It reimburses deposits up to $50,000, covers completion of the work up to $300,000 for a single-family home ($200,000 per unit in a condominium), then, after acceptance of the building, poor workmanship for 1 year, hidden defects for 3 years and design, construction or soil defects for 5 years, with relocation, moving and storage costs reimbursed up to $6,000. It covers detached, semi-detached and row single-family homes, divided co-ownership buildings of no more than four stacked private portions, and buildings of two to five units in undivided co-ownership. An acceptance that takes place more than 24 months after the end of the work is no longer covered. Figures read on garantiegcr.com on 15 September 2026.

What GCR is, and who pays for it

Since 2015, every new residential building covered by the regulation must be protected by the guarantee plan administered by the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR). The accredited contractor must be registered and pays the registration fee for the building: if the seller is not accredited, there is no guarantee, and that is the first thing to check on GCR's site before signing a preliminary contract.

Protections before acceptance

The deposit is the most useful and least known protection: never pay more than $50,000 before delivery, and only after signing the sales contract. Our page deposit on a new home details the rule.

The three periods after acceptance

The caps after acceptance are the same as for completion: $300,000 for a single-family home, $200,000 per dwelling for a building of two to five units (maximum $1,000,000 for a fiveplex), $300,000 per unit and $3,000,000 per project in co-ownership. A structural foundation crack in year four falls under the 5-year period; a door that closes badly, under the 1-year period.

Buildings covered, and the others

Covered: the detached, semi-detached or row single-family home; the divided co-ownership building of no more than four stacked private portions; the building of two to five units held in undivided co-ownership. Not covered by the mandatory plan: condo towers of more than four stacked units (the developer sometimes offers a private plan), rental buildings, and homes built by the owner without an accredited contractor. Our guide financing a self-build comes back to that last case.

The limits to know

• The guarantee does not apply if acceptance of the building took place more than 24 months after the end of the work.
• A defect must be reported in writing to the contractor and to GCR within a reasonable time after discovery; GCR notes that case law retains six months. Our page GCR claim gives the steps and delays.
• Corrective work agreed after the pre-acceptance inspection cannot exceed six months.
• Normal wear, maintenance, damage caused by the buyer and work done by a third party are not covered.

Frequently asked questions

Is the GCR warranty mandatory?

Yes, for new residential buildings covered by the regulation (single-family homes, condominiums of no more than four stacked units, buildings of two to five units in undivided co-ownership) sold by an accredited contractor. The contractor pays the registration.

How much of a deposit does GCR reimburse?

Up to $50,000, provided the sales contract is signed and the contractor is accredited. Above $50,000, the excess is not protected.

Is a new home covered against hidden defects?

Yes, for three years after acceptance, and five years for major design, construction or soil defects. On top of that, the Civil Code's legal warranty against hidden defects still applies to the seller.

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.