Building a New Construction? Hire Your Own Inspector—Even with GCR Involved
- Louis Césaire Biyo
- May 23
- 2 min read
If you're building a new home in Quebec, you might assume that the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) has everything covered. And while GCR plays a critical role in protecting buyers, relying solely on their inspections can leave blind spots during the most crucial stages of construction. To truly protect your investment and avoid costly surprises, you need your own independent inspection team—working alongside GCR, not instead of it.
What Is the GCR?
The Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is a neutral, non-profit organization authorized by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) to manage the mandatory guarantee plan for most new residential buildings in Quebec. Its primary goal? Protecting homeowners from:
Major construction defects
Hidden issues that appear after delivery
Delays, abandonment, or poor workmanship
All builders of new homes, condos, and townhouses must be accredited by the GCR. And all eligible projects must be enrolled in its guarantee plan. But while GCR provides a solid layer of consumer protection, its inspections are limited in scope and frequency.
The 2025–2029 Vision: Raising the Bar for Quality
GCR’s upcoming strategic plan for 2025–2029 is designed to further strengthen construction quality through:
More targeted inspections
Advanced risk analysis tools
Greater transparency in contractor performance
Ongoing education for both builders and buyers
These initiatives are good news—but they don't eliminate the need for private, on-demand inspections during the build.
Why Hiring Your Own Inspector Is a Smart Move
GCR focuses on evaluating builders and enforcing standards across the industry. But their inspections are not continuous, and they don’t provide personalized oversight tailored to your specific build.
Here’s what an independent inspector can do that GCR doesn’t:
✅ Conduct multiple on-site visits at key phases (foundation, framing, electrical, finishing)
✅ Review your project plans and materials for compliance and quality
✅ Identify issues before they become defects—saving time, money, and frustration
✅ Provide clear reports and photos to hold your builder accountable
If you’re planning:
A new construction project
A condo build
An investment property
A home extension or major renovation
…you need someone on your side to protect your interests—not just the minimum required by law.
Don’t Leave It to Chance. Get an Extra Set of Eyes on Site.
A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Whether you’re building from scratch, renovating, or managing a condo project, adding your own construction inspection team gives you peace of mind and more control over the quality of the outcome.
👉 Get in touch with us today at BOSSEUR INC to schedule a site inspection for your renovation, extension, investment property, new construction, or condo build.
We work alongside GCR to make sure nothing is missed—because your dream home deserves nothing less than excellence at every step.
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