With the exception of custom home or renovation categories, previous finalists are eligible to re-enter if the project is still for sale within the eligibility window (project that is open for sale between June 2019 to August 2021).
The following categories would be eligible if they fall within the eligibility window:
- Production Built Home (One Storey)
02. Production Built Home (Two Storeys up to 2500 sq. ft.)
03. Production Built Home (Two Storeys 2501 sq. ft. and over)
04. Attached Multi-Unit Home - 09. Mid-Rise Building (4-10 Storeys)
10. High-Rise Building (11+ Storeys)
11. High or Mid-Rise Condo Suite (up to 800 sq. ft)
12. High or Mid-Rise Condo Suite (801 sq. ft. and over) - 18. New Home Kitchen (New Low-Rise Home up to 2500 sq. ft.)
19. New Home Kitchen (New Low-Rise Home 2501 sq. ft. and over)
20. High or Mid-Rise Condo Suite Kitchen
21. New Home Bathroom - 22. Low-Rise Project Video (1-3 Storeys)
23. High or Mid-Rise Project Video (4+ Storeys)
24. Social Media
25. Website (Corporate or Project Specific)
26. Low-Rise Ad Campaign (1-3 Storeys)
27. High or Mid-Rise Ad Campaign
28. Low Rise Project Logo Branding (1-3 storeys) - High or Mid-Rise Project Logo Branding (4+ storeys)
- 30. New Homes Sales Office (Up to 1500 Sq. ft.)
31. New Homes Sales Office (1501 sq. ft. and over)
32. Design / Décor Centre
33. Model Home/Suite (Up to 2500 sq. ft.)
34. Model Home/Suite (2501 sq. ft. and over)
35. Low-Rise Project Sales Brochure (1-3 Storeys)
36. High or Mid-Rise Project Sales Brochure (4+ storeys)
If you entered in a custom home or renovation category you would not be eligible to enter that project again as it would have been completed within last year’s eligibility window.
The following categories would not be eligible:
- 06. Custom Home (Up to 3000 sq. ft.)
07. Custom Home (3001 – 5000 sq. ft.)
08. Custom Home (5001 sq. ft. and over) - 13. Home Renovation (Actual Retail Value up to $250,000)
14. Home Renovation (Actual Retail Value between $250,001-$500,000)
15. Home Renovation (Actual Retail Value over $500,001)
16. Kitchen Renovation
17. Bathroom Renovation
No – Projects that have won a category in the previous year are not eligible to be entered into a similar category this year.
If it is a production built home, and the model is still being sold between the qualifying periods (June 2019 – August 2021) then it would be eligible. If you are no longer selling the design during this period then the project would not qualify.
Yes – As long as the project is for sale within the eligibility window (June 23, 2018– June 22, 2019). If the category requires to you submit interior or exterior photos you may provide a rendering.
This year, the rules have changed: Once you have submitted a single project in the 3 required categories, you will automatically qualify for Project of the Year. You will receive a notification on the home page in the Project of the Year section if you have qualified.
Once you have qualified, you may choose to enter Project of the Year if you wish. You can then fill out the remaining application questions, add the entry to your shopping cart, and pay for the submission.
Yes – We encourage you to use point form in your written content guided questions to be concise.
EPS is a file extension for graphics files. We request .EPS because it is a high resolution file, which allows for a transparent background. This is important for final print materials and on-screen content.
There are a number of acceptable formats for a “Proof of ad placement.” You can supply one of the following; scanned copies of the original ad in the publication, pictures of the ad within a magazine or newspaper, or an invoice showing the dates the ad was run. The most important factor for all formats is that the dates when the ad was published must be evident.
Project cost is always to be pre-tax.
The marketing budget is the cost to produce the final product – this does not include media costs to air or run your ad.
We understand that many companies have their logo on floor plans or renderings. If possible we ask that you remove the logo. If you are unable to remove the logo we ask that it is watermarked, or small in one of the bottom corners. We do this to ensure judging remains anonymous and un-biased.
You will have the chance to save and edit your submission at a later time. We encourage entrants to use this feature and review their entry details with fresh eyes before submission. Upon submission, entrants will agree to a verification form confirming that everything on the application has been completed accurately.
We ask that you do not use a client name or address in the project or model name for two reasons; first, to keep the privacy of your client, and second to ensure judging is anonymous and un-biased.
All entrants, including credited companies, must be members of OHBA and in good standing. Please refer to “Eligibility” for more details.
Yes – If you won Builder of the Year at your local HBA awards program, you qualify to enter the Ontario Builder of the Year category free of charge. Please contact OHBA for details 416-443-1545 or 1-800-387-0109
All entrants have the opportunity to save and complete their entries until the entry period closes August 27. There is also the opportunity to share your draft entry with team members, credited companies and ask for their input and review.
Once an entry is submitted, all submissions are final and no further changes will be permitted.
Yes – You may submit in partnership with another builder/developer/renovator as long as both companies are members in good standing with OHBA as per our eligibility guidelines and were equal partners on the project.
A Partner/Group submission are completed by two or more builders who share equal representation on the project. All parties must be aware and agree to the combined submission. Only partner submissions that use the same project in all qualifying categories are eligible for project of the year. One trophy will be awarded on the event night including all partner names. Additional trophies are available for purchase post awards.
You can add a partner by simply pressing the + button. This will give you a new set of fields to populate for your partner company.
Unfortunately, we do not accept rental properties into our awards program. That being said, you may want to look at FRPO who has an annual awards program for rentals.
If the project is not finished being built then renders will be accepted. That being said, it is important that you still qualify based on the eligibility window – The project must be open for sale between June 2019 – August 2021.
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Terminology Index
Production Built Home: Any design that is reproduced multiple times on a given site with only minimal purchaser customization.
Custom Home: Any design that is unique or reproduced only once on a given site and may include a mass-produced model that is heavily customized by a purchaser to make it relatively unique.
Floor plan: A scale diagram of the arrangement of rooms in a low-rise building. In a high rise building the floor plan would show the layout of the individual suite.
Floorplate: A scale diagram of the arrangement of suites, including amenities and common areas in a high-rise building. Also known as a key plate.
Square Footage: Does not include below grade basement level. Exception – The basement may be included as a storey in the Mid-Rise categories specified.
Site Plan: A plan of the full project / subdivision.
Exterior Project Rendering: An exterior rendering specific to the model/project being entered.
Project Name: The overall project title.
Model Name: Specific to a home or suite.
EPS. Format: EPS is a file extension for graphics files. We request EPS. because it is a high resolution file, which allows for a transparent background. This is important for final print materials and on-screen content.
Social Media: Social media is defined as electronic communication, specifically created for use online, which shares information, ideas, articles, promotions and other content such as videos, blogs etc. and allows interaction with the audience through media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Blogs, Flickr etc.