GCR administers the warranty plan. The contractor and buyer complete the pre-reception process. An independent inspector can help the buyer document apparent, visible and accessible conditions, but does not decide warranty coverage or legal rights. Keep that distinction in mind.
1. What is GCR?
Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is the administrator of Quebec's mandatory guarantee plan for new residential buildings. As administrator, GCR frames the plan and may carry out its own site inspections during construction — a role distinct from the pre-reception inspection that the buyer and contractor do (see section 3).
2. What is the guarantee plan for new residential buildings?
The mandatory guarantee plan frames certain protections for buyers of entirely new covered buildings. The covered categories include, among others: single-family homes (detached, semi-detached or row); homes held in co-ownership; multifamily buildings of 2 to 5 units not held in divided co-ownership (intergenerational, duplex, triplex, etc.); and buildings held in divided co-ownership comprising four or fewer stacked private portions. Coverage has conditions and limits: always confirm your building's eligibility with GCR or the government guarantee plan.
3. What is the pre-reception inspection?
The pre-reception (pre-delivery) inspection is mandatory for every new residential building covered by the plan. It takes place between the buyer and the contractor, just before reception of the building. The contractor must provide the GCR pre-reception inspection form, whose checklist is approved by the RBQ. The inspection is conducted jointly by the buyer and the contractor.
4. Reception, reserves, work to complete, apparent defects: plain-language terms
- Reception: the moment the buyer takes possession / accepts the building, marking the starting point of certain parts of the plan.
- Reserve ("with reserve"): work to correct or complete is noted in writing on the form by checking this mention.
- Work to complete: unfinished items to be completed; the buyer and contractor agree on a timeline — GCR indicates a framework not exceeding six months after the pre-reception inspection.
- Apparent defects: defects visible at reception, to be distinguished from non-apparent poor workmanship and hidden defects.
In general terminology, the plan is often described as covering completion/correction of items apparent at reception, a one-year warranty for non-apparent poor workmanship, and a three-year warranty for hidden defects. For what applies to your case, refer to GCR.
5. What the GCR form is used for
The form structures the pre-reception inspection: it is an RBQ-approved checklist that the buyer and contractor complete together. For a private unit/home, the buyer can note work to correct or complete (as reserves) on it. The form serves as a common reference for what was observed at the time of the pre-reception.
6. What a buyer can observe before signing
Before reception, the buyer benefits from carefully examining the apparent, visible and accessible condition: finishes, doors and windows, flooring, walls and ceilings, visible plumbing and fixtures, appliances, signs of infiltration or moisture, missing or unfinished elements. These observations can be noted as reserves on the form. This guide does not tell you what to sign or refuse to sign — that decision is yours, with the support of the right resources.
7. How an independent inspector can help
GCR recommends the buyer be accompanied by a building professional of their choice — for example an inspector, architect, engineer or technologist. An independent inspector can help document the apparent, visible and accessible conditions, spot items to record as reserves, and help you understand what you are seeing — ahead of the pre-reception you carry out with the contractor.
8. What the inspector cannot decide
An independent inspector does not replace GCR and does not represent it. The inspector does not decide warranty coverage, does not determine your rights, and an inspection does not guarantee a right to accept or refuse reception. Those questions belong to GCR, the contractor and, where applicable, your notary or lawyer.
9. Condo: private unit vs common portions
For your private unit, the pre-reception is done with the contractor, as described above. For the common portions of a divided co-ownership, the process is different: once the notice of end of work is received, the syndicate of co-owners must mandate a building professional (engineer, architect or technologist) to declare reception of the common portions, jointly with the contractor and using the GCR form. The presence of a building professional there is mandatory.
10. Questions to ask before reception
- Is my building covered by the plan, and what conditions apply (to confirm with GCR)?
- Did the contractor provide me with the GCR pre-reception form?
- Which items should I record "with reserve"?
- What is the agreed timeline for the work to complete?
- For common portions: has the syndicate mandated a building professional?
- For coverage or a claim: what does GCR say?
11. Practical buyer checklist
- ☐ Confirm the building's coverage with GCR / the government plan;
- ☐ Obtain the pre-reception form from the contractor;
- ☐ Consider being accompanied by a building professional;
- ☐ Examine the apparent, visible and accessible condition and note items as reserves;
- ☐ For common portions: check the syndicate's mandate to a professional;
- ☐ For warranty, claims and your rights: GCR / contractor / notary / lawyer.
12. In summary
GCR administers the guarantee plan for new residential buildings. The pre-reception inspection is done between the buyer and the contractor, on the RBQ-approved form, and GCR recommends being accompanied by a building professional. An independent inspector documents the apparent, visible and accessible condition and helps you understand what you see — but warranty coverage and your rights are handled with GCR, the contractor and your advisors.
For a pre-delivery / pre-reception inspection, a new-construction inspection or a pre-purchase inspection, that's the level of clarity you should expect from the report itself.