The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has announced its 2026 CHBA awards finalists, and Ottawa is a key contender with 21 nominations across a range of categories.
The CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence recognize new homes, renovations, community development and residential marketing across the nation. This year saw 900 entries in 49 categories, including the new Adaptiv Home category. Winners will be announced on May 8.
Here’s a look at the local finalists.
Amsted Design-Build
Amsted Design-Build — a frequent national, provincial and local winner as well as Ottawa and Ontario Renovator of the Year a record-setting 12 and seven times, respectively — is out in front with five nominations.
Amsted nominations:
- Best Single Room Renovation
- Best Whole Home Renovation, $200,000-$300,000
- Best Whole Home Renovation, $300,001-$500,000
- Best Whole Home Renovation, $500,001-$800,000
- Best Adaptiv Home
The Best Adaptiv Home Award is a new category that recognizes new custom homes or residential renovations demonstrating excellence in accessibility and adaptability for a homeowner with disabilities and/or wishing to stay in their home longer.
“The nomination in the Adaptiv Home category is especially meaningful to us because it reflects our belief that great design should be inclusive for everyone,” says Amsted’s Stephanie Haw.
“This renovation was driven by the family’s accessibility needs, while seeking to respect the mid-century modern styling of the original home… It’s a great example of how intentional design and quality craftmanship can create a space that works for all stages of life and a range of abilities.”
MORE: Amsted’s Best Whole Home Renovation, $500,001-$800,000
Lagois Design-Build Renovate
Hot on Amsted’s heels is Lagois Design-Build-Renovate, up for awards in four categories, including competing with Amsted and other out-of-town finalists in the Adaptiv Home category.
Lagois nominations:
- Best Whole Home Renovation, under $200,000
- Best Kitchen Renovation, $70,000-$100,000
- Best Adaptiv Home
- Best Website
“These nominations are incredibly meaningful to Lagois, as they reflect not only the quality of our work, but the trust our homeowners place in us to guide them through some of the most important decisions in their homes,” says Lagois president Jacob Kirst.
“We’re incredibly proud to be nominated in the Adaptiv Home category,” adds Kirst. “Recognition in this category reinforces our belief that great design is not only about esthetics but about creating environments that provide comfort, dignity and long-term functionality.”
Lagois is a multi-award winner at the provincial and local level, including a four-time winner of Renovator of the Year in Ottawa.
MORE: Read about South of the Mountain
RND Construction
RND Construction, a pioneer in local green building and past multiple award winner at all levels, is vying for three trophies this year.
RND nominations:
- Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home, Cunningham Park Modern
- Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home, Quarry Park Contemporary with Hobin Architecture
- Best Basement Renovation
RND’s finalists include Cunningham Park Modern, a renovation that won both the Innovation Award and the All Things Home People’s Choice Award at last fall’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
“Ottawa did amazingly well when you consider that there were 900 submissions from across Canada,” says RND president Roy Nandram. “The caliber of the work from GOHBA (Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association) members is of excellent quality in terms of design and finished work.”
Noting that while not every company is currently building or renovating to net zero standards, “net zero is here to stay,“ says Nandram. “Our team is proud to be finalist for a net zero renovation and a net zero custom home in the same category… RND will continue to build every new home to net zero standards.”
MORE: RND wins the 2025 All Things Home People’s Choice Award
Urbandale Construction
Already holding several trophies from the Ottawa Housing Design Awards, residential builder Urbandale Construction is a finalist in three national categories.
Urbandale nominations:
- Best Production Kitchen, with The Cabinet Connection
- Best Production Net Zero Home, Natural Calm, with FIG Solar and Homesol Building Solutions
- Best Production Net Zero Home, The Calmstone Home, with FIG Solar and Homesol Building Solutions
“Having 21 Ottawa finalists highlights the strength and competitiveness of our local industry and shows Ottawa builders are helping set the national standard,” says Urbandale’s operations manager, Melissa Boudreau.
Urbandale has long been a pioneering production home builder when it comes to energy efficiency and is increasingly focused on net zero homes. “National recognition highlights Urbandale’s leadership in net zero building and reinforces our promise to deliver homes that are better for homeowners and better for the future,” says Boudreau.
MORE: Urbandale’s net zero homes
Main and Main Asset Management Inc. and TRUEdotDESIGN
Main and Main, a national developer with several mixed-use projects in Ottawa, together with Ottawa-based marketing firm TRUEdotDESIGN, is in the running for two top honours.
Main and Main Asset Management Inc. and TRUEdotDESIGN nominations:
- Best Website, Relevé | Elevate Your Everyday, with Westdale Properties
- Best Website, Maison Riverain | Life with a View, with Equiton/Equiton Developments
Minto Communities
Minto’s 2025 dream home, The Sterling, is nominated for Best Detached Production Home over 2,800 square feet. The home made up the bulk of the grand prize in the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime lottery, an annual fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Minto, a multi-award winner at the national, provincial and local levels, is based in Ottawa and builds in both Canada and the United States. In 2025, it took home CHBA’s production home and kitchen trophies. This year, Minto is also nominated for seven CHBA awards in Calgary.
MORE: Take a tour of the 2025 Minto dream home
Glenview Homes and TRUEdotDESIGN
Both Glenview Homes and TRUEdotDESIGN hold a string of housing design and sales and marketing awards from the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association. This year at the national level they are nominated for Best Digital Advertising Campaign, Union West.
eQ Homes, West of Main and Ryan Design International
eQ Homes and West of Main are both local and international award winners. eQ’s eQuinelle is a popular award-winning golf course community in Kemptville and is the subject of a nomination for Best Long Video (45 seconds and longer).
Land Ark Construction
Capturing a nomination for Best Production Net Zero Home is Land Ark Construction with Airtight Home Technologies, Building Knowledge Canada, Cavanagh Concrete, Gaylord Forest Products Ltd., Spectrum Kitchen & Bath Design, and Terra Nova Truss.
