[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-34px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”30px||-10px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”1.5rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”3.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”2.1rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||1px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|1px||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||3px|1px||” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” url=”https:\/\/twitter.com\/wahi_inc” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/wahi-inc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]linkedin[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wahi.inc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wahiinc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A new report suggests some hard construction costs are on the decline in Canada, but the landscape remains challenging for homebuilders and new homebuyers.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” custom_margin=”||11px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 3 minute read<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/How-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-house.jpg” alt=”The number of homes on the market continues to climb in major Canadian cities giving some buyers a shot at a discount.” title_text=”How-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-house” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some trades are lowering labour pricing due to a lack of available work.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”791.1px” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”765.1px” custom_margin=”||-48px|||” custom_padding=”6px||68px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Towering increases to homebuilding costs in Canada are beginning to moderate, and while that could help push some projects toward the starting line, it won\u2019t substantially improve housing supply or affordability.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n So suggests one of the authors behind real estate advisory firm Altus Group\u2019s 2025 Canadian Cost Guide<\/a>, a comprehensive report examining line-by-line hard construction costs for thousands of developments across Canada since the start of 2024.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDouble-digit cost escalation eased off last year. Into this year we\u2019re seeing competitive pricing and developers beating the estimates that they had last year,\u201d Colin Doran, head of development advisory, North America, at Altus Group.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut, at the same time,\u201d he tells Wahi, \u201cthere\u2019s all this uncertainty, where there\u2019s tariffs, building-code revisions, labour-union-agreement negotiations, where there\u2019s some concerns around strikes, and it\u2019s really [a question of] what\u2019s going to happen going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Costs did still increase in seven of the nine major markets tracked over the period spanning 2024 and the early part of this year, though less dramatically than from 2021 to the first months of 2023, when prices for certain building items surged by 40% annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa<\/a> were the two markets that recorded declines, depending on the type of project. \u201cThe reason why we\u2019re seeing less aggressive pricing is obviously because of less projects [going forward],\u201d he continues. With not as much work to go around, some contractors have been lowering bids to generate business, Duran explains.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For example, for a high-rise residential building between 40 and 60 storeys, the cost per square foot of construction ranged from $330 to $410 in the GTA<\/a>, compared to $340 to $425 in the previous year\u2019s report. In the seven markets that had projects of this scale, Calgary and Montreal had the lowest bottom-end costs at $310 per square foot, while Vancouver<\/a> had the highest, starting from $360. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” custom_margin=”||-6px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”307775″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Frame-7488.png” alt=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” title_text=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy\/wahi-price” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”40px” header_3_font_size=”1.53rem” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”85%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_line_height_tablet=”” header_line_height_phone=”” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”1.53rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”1.4rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” module_alignment=”left” height=”11px” custom_margin=”||14px||false|false” module_alignment_tablet=”left” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|90px|24px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10px|2px|10px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy-sell-with-wahi” button_text=”LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”left” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”13px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”29px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”29px” header_2_font_size_phone=”19px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n While certain developers with shovel-ready projects may benefit from moderating or falling hard costs \u2014 which include line items such as concrete formwork but exclude soft costs such as marketing and legal fees \u2014 it\u2019s not enough to compensate for the overall challenging market conditions facing developers.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEven with construction costs easing off, unfortunately it still doesn\u2019t make projects viable to date,\u201d Doran explains. \u201cOne we don\u2019t have the demand, so we don\u2019t have the revenue,\u201d he says. \u201cTwo, even with construction costs easing off, we need something else to move the needle,\u201d he adds.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He points to electrical and mechanical components, encompassing everything from appliances to heating and cooling elements. These items are typically imported and may undergo multiple border crossings before settling in Canada. Such items can account for 25 to 40% of a development\u2019s cost. \u201cI really don\u2019t think we can even quote a percentage right now because, like anything, the devil is in the details. It\u2019s specific to the project, it\u2019s specific to the developer, to the supply chain,\u201d he says. \u201cNo matter what happens\u2026 there\u2019s going to be some impact.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n
<\/span>
<\/span>Developers in the GTA and Hamilton were able to sell just 533 new condos in the first quarter of this year, a 30-year low, <\/span>according to real estate consultancy Urbanation<\/span><\/a>. Investors initially fled the segment as interest rates began to rapidly rise in the post-pandemic period. While rates have been declining for the past year, economic uncertainty stemming from trade tensions with the U.S. has continued to spook investors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>
<\/span>Doran notes that many in the industry have called for lower levies on new developments. In several GTA markets, including Toronto, as well as Markham, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan, the average development charges levied by municipalities on high-rise developments amount to more than $100,000 per unit, according to the <\/span>2024 Greater Toronto Area Municipal Benchmarking Study<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear to what extent tariffs would affect construction costs, but there is the potential for considerable increases. \u201cWe get asked constantly on the impact of tariffs, and that\u2019s a tough one,\u201d Doran says.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n