The Newfoundland government will be offering a new residential construction rebate program for renovation projects and new home construction. The announcement was made on June 3 by Tom Osborne, minister of finance and president of the treasury board.
“We understand many people have been spending more time at home and there are projects that have been put off or that have become more evident over the past few months,” Curtis Mercer, interim CEO of the Canadian Home Builders Association Newfoundland and Labrador. “Now may be the right time to address those items and update or upgrade your home. We would like to thank Minister Osborne and the Provincial Government for their recognition and support of this valuable industry.”
The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association of Canada (HPBA Canada) clarified that new installations, as well as retrofits of both solid-fuel and gas hearth appliances, are eligible for rebate as part of the program.
This program applies to projects contracted between June 8 and August 7, 2020 and started on or after June 8 with work substantially completed by March 31, 2021. A 25 per cent rebate is available for renovation projects for principal residences and up to a maximum of $10,000 (based on a $40,000 project). A rebate of $10,000 is available for new home construction on homes valued up to $350,000 before HST.
The rebate will apply to work on a primary residence contracted within a 60-day period from the start of COVID-19 Alert Level 3. To qualify, homeowners must use an eligible contractor, which includes those who have general liability insurance and are registered.
The $30 million program funding will come from the COVID-19 contingency fund. The Department of Finance, via the Canadian Home Builders Association, will begin accepting applications for the rebate program as of June 8. Applications will be available on the Department of Finance website and through the Canadian Home Builders Association Newfoundland and Labrador.