What is 2-5-10 warranty coverage in BC?

The 2-5-10 home warranty is mandatory insurance coverage that protects buyers of newly built homes in British Columbia, required under the Homeowner Protection Act and administered through BC Housing. It's one of the strongest new home warranty programs in Canada.

The name refers to three tiers of coverage that kick in over time. The first two years cover defects in labour and materials — things like faulty workmanship, defective fixtures, and systems that weren't installed correctly. For detached homes, this starts at 12 months for general defects, extends to 15 months for common property in strata developments, and stretches to 24 months for major systems including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, exterior cladding, windows, and doors.

The five-year coverage is arguably the most important for BC homeowners, given our climate. It covers building envelope defects — specifically water penetration through the exterior shell of the home. Given Vancouver's 1,200mm+ of annual rainfall and our history of the "leaky condo crisis" in the 1990s, this tier exists for very good reason. If your new home develops moisture intrusion through the roof, walls, windows, or foundation within five years, this coverage applies.

The ten-year structural coverage protects against defects in load-bearing components — foundations, beams, columns, and other structural elements that could compromise the safety or integrity of the building. This is the long tail of protection for the most serious and expensive failures.

Coverage limits are set at up to $200,000 for detached homes and $100,000 per strata unit. Warranty providers approved by BC Housing include National Home Warranty, Travelers, and several others — your builder must use an approved provider, not just any insurer.

A few important things BC homeowners should know. First, this warranty only applies to new homes built by a Licensed Residential Builder registered with BC Housing — it does not cover renovations, resales, or owner-built homes (unless the owner-builder specifically purchased coverage). This includes laneway houses and new coach houses, which must also be covered. Second, you can verify your builder's licensing status and warranty coverage at bchousing.org before you sign anything — this is a step every new home buyer in Metro Vancouver should take. Third, warranty claims must be submitted in writing within the applicable coverage period, and there are specific processes for dispute resolution if your builder pushes back.

If you're buying a pre-sale condo or a newly built home in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, ask your realtor or lawyer to confirm the 2-5-10 warranty documentation is in order before closing. It should be disclosed in the disclosure statement for any new strata development.

Your next step: Visit bchousing.org to verify your builder's registration, confirm your warranty provider, and understand how to file a claim if needed. If you're hiring a contractor for a new build or laneway house, browse licensed professionals in the Vancouver Construction Network directory to find builders who are properly registered with BC Housing.