Friday, April 19, 2024 
Friday, April 19, 2024
June 4, 2020
With COVID-19 public health restrictions prompting people to spend a lot more time in their homes, some may have found problems, dreamed up improvements — or decided it’s time to build a new one altogether.
The provincial government on Wednesday announced a $30-million residential construction rebate program that it hopes will kick-start an economy stunted by the pandemic.
“This promises to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get back to work while also helping others achieve goals for their homes and their futures.This program supports homeowners and contractors, as we start to recover from Snowmageddon and the pandemic. This will also help our economy recover,” he said.
The program, which offers rebates of up to $10,000 for home renovations or new home construction, was announced by Finance Minister Tom Osborne Wednesday morning.
Homeowners who successfully apply will get a rebate of 25 per cent of the cost of a renovation on a principal residence, up to a maximum rebate of $10,000.
For a new home construction,a rebate of $10,000 is available for a project costing up to $350,000 before HST.
The finance minister said the rebate program will also mean more work for many tradespeople.
“This program will get people back to work. It will put hammers in hands. It will see plumbers, electricians, roofers and so on, back to work,” said Osborne.
The rebate will be given for work contracted within 60 days from June 8 (when the provincial government’s Alert Level 3 is expected to begin). A government news release on the program says the project “must be substantially complete” by March 31, 2021. To qualify, a homeowner must use a registered contractor with general liability insurance.
The money for the program comes from the $200-million COVID-19 contingency fund approved by the House of Assembly on March 26.
Applications will be available on the Department of Finance’s website and through the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in the coming days.
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