Alberta Certificate FAQs
Find answers to common questions about publishing Certificates of Substantial Performance for construction work performed in Alberta. These FAQs explain the service and do not replace legal advice or the requirements of your contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
This service is exclusively for construction work performed in the Province of Alberta.
Do not use it for projects located in any other province or territory.
Eligibility is based on the physical location of the work, not the mailing address of the
owner, contractor or subcontractor. For work outside Alberta, use a publication service
appropriate to the project’s jurisdiction.
Yes, provided the construction work is performed in Alberta and the applicable requirements for using this service are met. Similarly, an Alberta-based company must not use this service for work performed outside Alberta.
Choose a prime contract certificate when certifying substantial performance of the
contract between the owner and the contractor.
Choose a subcontract certificate when certifying substantial performance of a specific
subcontract. The work description and financial information must relate to that
subcontract, not the project as a whole.
If you are unsure which certificate to use, check with your contract administrator or
legal adviser before proceeding.
Enter the physical location where the construction work was performed. Do not enter
the owner’s, contractor’s or subcontractor’s office address unless it is also the work site.
Where the work site does not have a street address, provide a location description that
clearly identifies it.
Confirm that the work meets the applicable legal requirements for substantial
performance and any additional requirements in your contract. Do not assume that
occupancy, completion of most of the work or publication of a certificate is enough.
BuildWorks does not assess the work or determine whether substantial performance
has been achieved. If you are unsure, consult your contract administrator or legal
adviser before publishing.
Not automatically. Before relying on electronic publication, confirm that the applicable
legislation and contract or agreement permit the method you intend to use.
You remain responsible for the certificate’s accuracy, signing, timing and delivery, and
for giving the relevant project participants a reasonable opportunity to see it. Paying
the publication fee and publishing on BuildWorks do not, by themselves, establish
compliance.
Submit a signed certificate and confirm that the person signing is authorized to do so.
The published certificate, including any signature or other information it contains, will
be publicly accessible.
Before submitting it, ensure that you have authority to publish the document and have
obtained any permissions required for the information it contains.
An electronic signature may be used where it meets the applicable legal and contractual
requirements. The person signing must intend to sign the certificate and be authorized
to do so.
Do not assume that adding someone’s name to a certificate establishes their approval. If
you are unsure whether your signing method is appropriate, obtain advice before
publishing.
No. Do not rely on publication alone as authorization to release holdback.
The parties responsible for payment must confirm that the applicable legal and
contractual conditions have been met. BuildWorks does not determine payment
entitlements, lien deadlines or holdback release dates.
You can correct mistakes within 24 hours of publication without being charged another
publication fee. If you need help with a correction, contact BuildWorks Canada and
provide the certificate number.
The correction window is a service policy, not an extension of any legal deadline.
Depending on the change, you may need to take additional steps under the applicable
legislation or contract.
Visit the Government of Alberta’s page for the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act to
access the legislation.
Check which legislation applies to your project and obtain legal advice if you are
unsure. A project’s location in Alberta does not, by itself, establish that every provision
of this Act applies.
