About CARE Awards

The CARE Awards is the premier industry event showcasing Canada’s leaders is in sustainable West Coast design and construction. You can receive new home and renovation quotes easily and quickly from Canada’s best by using our Expression of Interest form.

The Victoria Residential Builders Association created the Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards in 1991 to recognize the west coast’s creative design and craftsmanship, and celebrate excellence in the industry. CARE Awards finalists are selected by a panel of industry professionals using criteria such as architectural design, quality workmanship, creative use of space, and energy efficiency. The categories are Residential Planning Design & Construction; Interior Design; Commercial Planning & Design; Customer Service; Sales & Marketing; Special Achievement; and Special Interest. When buying, building or renovating a home, hire a professional at vrba.ca.

Please note: The CARE Awards is managed by the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Companies claiming to have won a CARE Award may not be current members of the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Contact admin@vrba.ca to verify VRBA membership or visit vrba.ca

We are asked at times, why the popular CARE Awards event  is open only to VRBA members and not to all in the residential construction industry.

Here are three important reasons:

1. Diligence on VRBA Applicants – VRBA first reviews applicants’ references, which is followed by contractors on our Board conducting interviews and site visits to verify knowledge and experience necessary for professional builders and renovators.

2. Maintain Standards – In addition to education and experience, award winners should support a standard of conduct. All VRBA members agree to our Code of Ethics.

3. Consumer Protection – We try to avoid circumstances where consumers might mistake a non-member for a qualified VRBA member. Presenting awards to non-members would cause significant confusion.

We do our best to ensure CARE Awards winners meet the standards expected by the public and our members. For example, awards judges don’t have an opportunity to inspect a project’s framing or window flashings. We must be confident CARE Awards entrants meet a professional standard beyond the visible finished product.

Opening the CARE Awards to non-members would undermine the above due diligence, standards and consumer protection. Therefore, those in the industry wishing to participate in the CARE Awards must submit an application and agree to VRBA’s standards.

Advice for consumers – before hiring an “award-winning” contractor, verify their association membership.

Advice for industry – before joining an association, review their awards program, and the association’s commitment to standards, consumers and members.

The CARE Awards is the Gold Standard for the residential construction industry – accept no substitutes!