In short
These are Quebec rules. A person building a single-family home to live in themselves, or house their family, does not need an RBQ licence; building to sell or to rent requires a licence, and gas, petroleum equipment or electrical work always requires the appropriate licence. GCR generally does not cover self-built homes. The loan is paid out in draws as construction progresses, and CMHC allows no advances on vacant land. An owner-built home can qualify for a GST rebate, to be claimed within two years.
The licence: when it is required
| Your project | RBQ licence |
|---|---|
| Single-family home for you or your family, with no business or rental unit, generating no income | Not required |
| Home built to sell | Yes: you are presumed to be a construction contractor |
| Home built to rent | Yes: owner-builder licence |
| Gas, petroleum equipment or electrical work | Always the appropriate licence |
Source: Régie du bâtiment du Québec, “Licence exemptions for certain owner-builders”.
The warranty
GCR, the administrator of the new residential buildings guarantee plan, states that it generally does not cover self-built buildings. Exception: if you hire a contractor to organize and coordinate the work, they act as general contractor; they must then hold licence subclass 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, be accredited under the guarantee plan and register the project with GCR, even if invoices are in your name.
The loan: paid out in draws
A construction loan is not paid out all at once: according to CMHC, new construction loans are advanced through a “progress advance” option. Under full service, CMHC validates up to 4 consecutive advances at no cost; under basic service, the lender validates them itself. For an owner-built home, the borrower must hold title to the land by the first advance, and no advances are allowed on vacant land. The lender must have control of the entire building during construction.
For an insured mortgage, 30-year amortization has been available to buyers of newly built homes since December 15, 2024 (CMHC Home Start). Ask the lender how it applies to a loan paid out in draws.
Taxes: the rebate for owner-built homes
If you build a house on land you already owned or leased, or hire someone to do it, the CRA provides a GST new housing rebate, if the home becomes your principal residence or that of a close relative. The claim must be filed no later than two years after the earliest of: occupancy, substantial completion of the work, or sale. The basic rebate applies to a fair market value under $450,000 and reaches $6,300 at most; a larger rebate exists for first-time buyers, depending on construction dates.
In Quebec, Revenu Québec generally administers the GST: the claim goes to it. The GST/HST on new homes guide details the rebates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an RBQ licence to build my own house?
No, if you build a single-family home for yourself or your family, with no business or rental unit. Yes if you build to sell or to rent, and always for gas, petroleum equipment or electrical work.
Is a self-built home covered by the GCR warranty?
Generally not. It can be if an accredited contractor acts as general contractor and registers the project with GCR.
How is a construction loan paid out?
In draws as the work progresses. According to CMHC, the borrower must hold title to the land by the first advance, and no advances are allowed on vacant land.
Can I recover GST on a home I built myself?
Yes, through the GST new housing rebate for owner-built homes, to be claimed within two years; in Quebec, the claim goes to Revenu Québec.
Sources
- RBQ — Exemptions de licence pour certains constructeurs-propriétaires read 2026-10-08
- GCR — Bâtiments couverts (autoconstruction) read 2026-10-08
- CMHC — Improvement (progress advances, owner-built homes) read 2026-10-08
- CMHC — Home Start (30-year amortization, newly built) read 2026-10-08
- ARC — RC4028, Remboursement de la TPS/TVH pour habitations neuves read 2026-10-08
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General information, not legal or tax advice. For your situation, consult a mortgage broker, the RBQ or a tax professional.