Changes in home construction
Houses largest in B.C., smallest in Quebec
The Canadian Home Builders Association annual Pulse survey of its members shows that the largest new homes in Canada are being built in B.C, at an average size of 2,400 sq. ft. Ontario ranks second (2,000 sq. ft.), followed by Alberta and the Atlantic provinces (1,600 sq. ft.), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (1,450 sq. ft.), and Quebec (1,400 sq. ft.).
But Quebec residents make up for it in another way: new houses in that province sit on the largest lots in Canada, averaging 7,700 sq. ft. That's followed by the Atlantic provinces (7,000 sq. ft.), B.C. (6,600 sq. ft.), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (5,750 sq. ft.), Alberta (5,175 sq. ft.) and Ontario (4,950 sq. ft.)
According to the survey, the average new house in Canada is 1,800 sq. ft. and sits on a lot 50 ft. wide by 115 ft. deep for a total lot size of 5,750 sq. ft.
The same survey also shows the decision-making influences when it comes to choosing bathroom accessories in both new home construction and renovation.
In new home construction, 46 per cent of bathroom accessories are picked out by the builder, followed by 45 per cent chosen by homeowners. In renovations, the contractors themselves select only six per cent of the fixtures, with an overwhelming 91 per cent of homeowners choosing their own style.
The survey was conducted at the end of 2003 and into early 2004.
(CREA 13/04/2004)