Planning a New Build or Major Renovation? Rebates to Check Before You Budget

by: NDBS
June 2026

A bigger build can get expensive quickly.

If you’ve ever started pricing materials line by line, you know how fast the small details can add up. Drawings, permits, timelines, labour, product choices, delivery, and “while we’re at it” decisions can all shift the budget before the first order is placed.

That is especially true for new homes, major additions, garages, workshops, barns, and larger renovations where one decision can affect the next.

Before you get too far into planning, it is worth checking whether any rebate or savings programs could apply to your project.

Not every project qualifies. Some programs have rules around home value, timing, how the home will be used, product types, documentation, or how much of the home is being renovated.

Before you build any rebate into your budget, check the official program details first. They can help you confirm what may apply, what records to keep, and whether certain steps need to happen before work begins.

Once you have a better idea of what you’re planning, North Dundas Building Supplies can help with the material side: estimates, takeoffs, product guidance, and practical advice before you start ordering.

Start by Knowing What Kind of Project You’re Planning

The word “renovation” can mean a lot of different things.

For one homeowner, it might mean replacing flooring or updating a bathroom. For another, it might mean taking a house down to the studs, building a major addition, or converting a non-residential space into a home.

That difference matters when you start looking at rebates.

Some programs are meant for new homes or homes that have been substantially renovated. Others are focused on energy-efficiency upgrades like insulation, windows, doors, or air sealing.

So before you start building possible rebates into your budget, it helps to be clear on the project itself:

Are you building a new home?
Are you buying or building your first new home?
Are you planning a major addition?
Is the renovation substantial, or is it more of a room update or cosmetic refresh?
Are you upgrading insulation, windows, doors, or other energy-related materials?

Getting that sorted early can save a lot of confusion later.

Rebate Paths Worth Checking in 2026

There are a few different rebate paths that may be worth reviewing, depending on your project. These are not automatic discounts, and they should not be treated as guaranteed savings. But they are worth checking before you finalize your numbers.

1. GST/HST New Housing Rebate

If you’ve heard people talk about an HST rebate in Ontario for a new build, this is usually the kind of program they mean. If you are building a new home or taking on a very large renovation, the GST/HST New Housing Rebate may be one place to start.

This rebate may allow eligible homeowners to recover some of the GST or the federal part of the HST paid on a new or substantially renovated home used as their, or their relation’s, primary place of residence.

For Ontario projects, there may also be an Ontario new housing rebate for the provincial part of the HST. The CRA currently lists this rebate at a maximum of $24,000 when the program conditions are met.

This path may be worth reviewing if you are building a new home, hiring someone to build one, substantially renovating an existing home, building a major addition, or converting a non-residential building into a home.

The key word here is “may.” Project details matter.

For full eligibility rules and forms, review the CRA’s GST/HST New Housing Rebate resources and guide.

2. First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate

If you are buying or building your first new home, there may be additional rebate options to check.

As of 2026, the CRA says the federal First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate can provide up to 100% of the GST, or the federal part of the HST, on a new home valued up to $1 million, to a maximum of $50,000. For new homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million, the rebate is gradually reduced. At $1.5 million or more, the federal first-time buyer rebate is not available.

For Ontario, the CRA also notes an Ontario first-time home buyers’ rebate of up to $80,000 of the provincial part of the HST for eligible buyers in Ontario who are buying, building, or substantially renovating their first home.

There are timing rules too. For example, the CRA guide notes that the federal first-time buyer rebate applies to houses purchased from a builder where the agreement was entered into on or after March 20, 2025 and before 2031, with construction substantially completed before 2036. For owner-built homes, construction or substantial renovation must begin on or after March 20, 2025 and before 2031, and be substantially completed before 2036.

That is a lot to take in, but the simple takeaway is this: if you are a first-time buyer planning a new home or very large project, check the official requirements before you build your budget around any rebate amount.

For first-time buyer rules, timing, and rebate limits, review the CRA’s First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate details and GST/HST New Housing Rebate Guide.

3. Home Renovation Savings Program

Energy-efficiency rebates in Ontario are separate from GST/HST housing rebates.

In Ontario, the Home Renovation Savings Program, available through Save on Energy, includes rebates for eligible home energy upgrades. As of 2026, listed rebates include items such as:

Home energy assessment: $600 back
Insulation: up to $7,700
Windows and doors: $100 back per rough opening
Air sealing: up to $250
Heat pump water heaters: $500 on qualified models
Smart thermostats: $100
Solar panels and battery storage: up to $10,000
Appliances: up to $200 back

For NDBS customers, the most natural areas to review are usually things like insulation, windows, doors, and larger renovation materials.

Some upgrades may require a home energy assessment. Some products need to meet specific requirements, such as ENERGY STAR certification. Some rebates may apply to single upgrades, while others are connected to bundled improvements.

If energy efficiency is part of your project, check the program details before you buy materials or start the work.

For the latest eligible upgrades, rebate amounts, and program requirements, visit the Home Renovation Savings Program page.

Why Not Every Renovation Fits the Same Rebate Rules

This is one of the biggest things to watch.

A regular renovation and a “substantial renovation” are not always the same thing.

For GST/HST new housing rebate purposes, the CRA explains that a substantial renovation generally means the home has been changed very significantly. In an owner-built housing rebate situation, at least 90% of the interior of the existing house must be removed or replaced.

That means a kitchen refresh, bathroom update, new flooring, deck project, or fresh paint throughout the house should not be assumed to qualify as a substantial renovation.

Those projects can still be smart, useful, and worth planning properly. They just may not fall under the same housing rebate rules.

This is also why it helps to check official program details instead of relying on general wording like “renovation rebate.”

What to Check Before You Buy Materials

Before you lock in your budget or start ordering, take a few minutes to gather the right information.

Here are a few questions worth asking:

What type of project are you planning: new build, major addition, substantial renovation, or energy upgrade?
Will the home be your primary residence or a relation’s primary residence?
Are you a first-time home buyer?
Are there rules around when construction needs to start or finish?
Does the program require specific products, certifications, or installation steps?
Do you need a home energy assessment before the work starts?
What invoices, quotes, drawings, or project records should you keep?
Who should confirm eligibility: CRA, the program administrator, your accountant, contractor, or tax professional?

It may not be the most exciting part of the project, but it can make the rest of the process easier.

It also gives you a better starting point when you begin asking for quotes, comparing material options, or deciding what needs to happen first.

How NDBS Can Help

Once you have a clearer idea of the project, the next step is getting the material side organized.

At North Dundas Building Supplies, we offer two estimating options depending on where you are in the planning process.

If you already know what products or quantities you need, a Project Estimate can help you get current pricing based on your material list.

If you are working from drawings, plans, or an early project concept, our Design & Material Takeoff Service can help turn those plans into a more detailed material list. This is especially helpful for new homes, garages, additions, workshops, barns, and other larger builds.

A clear estimate or takeoff can help you:

Understand material needs more clearly
Reduce missing or excess materials
Plan your budget with fewer surprises
Compare options before the project gets too far along
Move into the build with a better starting point

Rebates may be one part of the budget conversation, but materials are another. Getting both pieces sorted early can make the project easier to manage.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you are planning a new build, major addition, substantial renovation, or energy-efficiency upgrade, start by checking which rebate programs may apply to your project.

Then, when you’re ready to look at the materials side, bring us your list, drawings, plans, or project details. Even if you are still sorting through a few questions, that is okay.

Visit North Dundas Building Supplies in Winchester or request an estimate online to get started.

Serving Winchester, Chesterville, Kemptville, Morrisburg, Russell, and surrounding communities in Eastern Ontario.

Official Sources to Check

These programs can change, and eligibility depends on your project. Before making financial decisions, check the official program details or speak with a qualified professional.

[1] CRA’s GST/HST New Housing Rebate resources

[2] GST/HST New Housing Rebate Guide

[3] CRA’s First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate details

[4] Home Renovation Savings Program page

[5] CRA’s Substantial Renovations and the GST/HST New Housing Rebate bulletin