- Ruling Overview
A B.C. provincial court has confirmed that under the British Columbia Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA), home renovation contractors must include a project completion date in their contracts with homeowners.
- Case Details
The case involved a client who contracted for a sunroom in late 2021.
After 10 months with no work started and no building permit issued, the homeowner canceled the contract and requested a refund. The contractor refused.
The court sided with the homeowner, noting that the absence of a completion date allowed cancellation within one year of signing—with full refund and no deductions permitted.
- Contractor Arguments & Court Response
The contractor claimed setting a completion date was unreasonable due to uncertainties in construction (like weather, supply chain).
The court rejected this, pointing out the law does not prohibit adjustable dates or clauses for delays—it simply mandates that a date be specified.
- Legal Foundation
Under the BPCPA, renovation contracts fall under “future performance contracts”.
These must include key information, notably “the date on which the supply of the goods or services will be complete.”
Omitting this makes the contract voidable up to one year after signing: the homeowner can cancel and get a full refund.
- Why It Matters
Homeowners are now legally protected: if your renovation contract lacks a completion date, you may cancel and recover funds if issues arise.
Contractors must now be clear and upfront, helping avoid disputes and ensuring accountability.
Quick Reference Table
Aspect Details
Applicable Law BC Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA)
Requirement Renovation contracts must include a completion date
Homeowner Right Cancel contract within 1 year if no completion date; full refund granted
Court Case Summary Sunroom renovation stalled; homeowner refunded due to missing date
Contractor Arguments Dismissed “Uncertainty” excuses rejected; adjustable dates are allowed
What You Can Do Next
As a homeowner: Always ensure your renovation or construction contract includes a clear completion date. If it doesn’t and things go wrong, you may have grounds for cancellation and a full refund.
As a contractor: Protect your business and avoid legal fallout by including an explicit completion date (and an allowance for reasonable adjustments) in every contract.