Kuhn LLP is the GVHBA’s preferred legal supplier. They have a team of lawyers with extensive experience in the construction industry. They serve a broad range of clients, including developers, builders, renovators, trades, suppliers, architects, engineers and government entities. Each year they present seminars on Contracts, Builders Liens, and Employment Law for GVHBA members. Since 1998, they have been the creators and instructors of the Construction Law Course that is offered by the GVHBA in conjunction with the CHBA-BC Certified Residential Builder Program.

Getting Paid and Fixing Deficiencies

It can be very frustrating when a homeowner refuses to make the final payment because of seemingly inconsequential “deficiencies”. However, the BC Supreme Court made it clear in Constructum Developments Inc. v. Hogaboam, 2015 BCSC 1490, that a homeowner may be entitled to correction of all deficiencies before they are obligated to make the final payment. In fact, a contractor’s insistence on receiving final payment before fixing final deficiencies may actually result in a repudiation of the parties’ agreement.

Going Green the Smart Way

Greater demand from consumers and regulators in British Columbia for environmentally sustainable or “green” building practices suggests potential benefits for “green-contractors”. A common strategy is to adopt a labelling system that advertises compliance with defined environmental standards. Common examples of green-labels used in B.C.’s construction industry include the Energy Star label and the Built Green seals.