Accreditation Plan

Since January 1, 2015, any company wishing to build or sell new residential buildings covered by the Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings must be accredited by the “Garantie de construction résidentielle” (GCR – Residential Construction Guarantee).

This plan ensures your compliance with certain legal and contractual obligations. As a result, your client will benefit from protections and compensation.

Registering for the Guarantee Plan

To register for the Guarantee Plan, you are required to hold a subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 licence and be accredited by the administrator of the GCR guarantee. 

Residential Construction Guarantee (GCR)

www.garantiegcr.com
Toll-free: 1 855 657-2333
Montréal: 514 657-2333

Abritat and Qualité Habitation Accreditations

Abritat and Qualité Habitation accreditations have been invalid since January 1, 2015. However, the subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 licence, or both, are required to complete projects registered with Abritat and Qualité Habitation, even after January 1, 2015.

Transitional measures are included in the Regulation. Furthermore, the date on which the preliminary contract was signed and the date work started will determine the administrator with which the building is registered and which guarantee (old or new) applies.

Building registered with Abritat or Qualité Habitation

Date on which the permit was issued: not taken into account

Transitional and final measures do not take into account, as a condition, the date on which the permit was issued. For example, in the case where the signature of the preliminary contract and the start of work were in 2015, the building must be registered with the GCR, even if the permit was issued in 2014.

Cancellation or withdrawal of subclasses 1.1.1 or 1.1.2

With the implementation of the new regulation, some companies have had their licence cancelled or subclasses 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 withdrawn.   

Companies wishing to have these privileges restored must, in addition to obtaining GCR accreditation, regularize their situation with the RBQ.

Companies whose licence has been cancelled

These companies no longer hold a licence, since they previously only held a subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 licence.   

They must therefore apply for a new licence from the RBQ.   

• Passing exams is not required if the application is made within 5 years (acquired right).   
• Fees apply (refer to the Fee structure page). 
• The RBQ has 60 days to render a decision.

For additional information and to obtain the required form, go to the All the steps for obtaining a licence page.

Companies who have had subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 withdrawn from their licence 

These companies held other general contractor or specialized subclasses. Following the withdrawal of subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, they were issued a modified licence.   

An application for modification must be made to the RBQ.   

• Passing exams is not required if the application is made within 5 years (acquired right).   
• Fees apply (refer to the Fee structure page).
• The RBQ has 60 days to render a decision.

For additional information and obtain the required form, go to the Adding a class or a subclass page.