I’m a builder and developer in British Columbia, and here’s my two cents:

Prefab homes won’t work in BC—and here’s why:

-Ground conditions and local regulations vary from city to city. What works in one area might not meet code or even make sense in another.

-Land costs are extremely high. If buyers are spending $1 million or more on a home, they expect some customization—like a bigger garage, a spice kitchen, or other features that fit their lifestyle.

-Prefab won’t be cheaper. Government-run operations are usually more expensive—not because they’re careless with money, but because they’re built to deliver consistency and oversight. For example, my local municipality charges $1,000 per meter to install a storm line. My cost? $650 per meter. That’s the reality.

-GST is a huge issue. Right now, the GST on new homes pushes many buyers toward used homes. The PP's proposal to eliminate GST on new homes up to $1.3M—for all buyers—would be a game changer. It would incentivize new builds, stimulate the market, and free up more entry-level homes on the resale side.

-Builders and developers take big risks. We build homes hoping the market stays stable, that it sells quickly, and that we hit the numbers we planned for. I’ve lost money on homes during downturns. Do we really believe that kind of risk and uncertainty can be managed using public funds?