New Construction in Quebec: Why More Buyers Are Turning to Pre-Sales

For years, buying a property in pre-sale was mostly seen as a way to access a new project before everyone else. Today, the reality is different.

In 2026, more and more buyers are looking at pre-sales as a form of protection.

Protection against what?
Against rising prices that never seem to truly slow down.

Because behind the rapid sales of new condos and the growing interest surrounding new developments, another reality is shaping Quebec’s real estate market: building has become dramatically more expensive.

And eventually, those rising costs always find their way into the final price paid by buyers.

Building in Quebec costs far more than it used to

Since the pandemic, Quebec’s construction industry has been facing one of the sharpest cost increases in recent decades.

According to La Presse, construction costs have jumped by approximately 55% since 2020.

Fifty-five percent.

That number alone explains a large part of what buyers are currently experiencing across the market.

Material prices surged. Transportation became more expensive. Skilled labor grew harder to find. Construction timelines stretched longer. As a result, every new residential project now costs significantly more to develop than it did just a few years ago.

And developers cannot absorb these increases indefinitely.

Little by little, those additional costs are reflected in the price of condos, homes, and newly built units entering the market.

According to Les Affaires, rising construction costs now add at least $15,000 to the base price of a newly built property, even before factoring in land costs.

For many buyers, this reality is completely changing the way they approach real estate.

Waiting can now feel riskier than buying

This is exactly why pre-sales have become so attractive over the past two years.

In a market where prices continue to move upward, many buyers would rather secure a property today than risk paying significantly more tomorrow.

The logic is straightforward.

Buying early often allows buyers to:

• lock in today’s price;
• avoid future construction-related price increases;
• plan their financing more confidently;
• enter the market sooner.

And psychologically, that stability matters.

Because right now, many buyers feel that if they wait too long, the market could move even further out of reach.

Even with more supply, demand remains strong

Quebec has seen an increase in new residential projects in recent years. Yet despite the additional inventory, pressure on prices remains very real.

According to Informateur Immobilier, the rise in housing supply still is not enough to meaningfully reduce price pressure.

Why?

Because demand for well-located new developments remains extremely strong.

Buyers continue to prioritize:

• newer, more energy-efficient properties;
• layouts better suited for remote work;
• low-maintenance buildings;
• long-term real estate investments perceived as more stable.

As a result, many developments sell a large portion of their units during the earliest sales phases.

Pre-sales are not only about pricing

For many buyers, the appeal of pre-construction goes beyond locking in a price.

Buying early in a project also provides greater flexibility and choice.

It often means:

• access to the best units;
• better floor selections and views;
• the ability to choose finishes and materials;
• access to launch pricing before future increases.

In many developments, the most desirable units disappear quickly.

For some buyers, waiting until completion does not only mean paying more — it can also mean settling for what is left.

A way to protect long-term buying power

Ultimately, the growing popularity of pre-sales in Quebec reflects a deeper economic reality.

Today’s buyers are not only searching for a modern condo or a newly built home. They are also searching for stability in a market that has become far more unpredictable.

And as long as construction costs remain elevated, many buyers will likely continue to view pre-sales as a way to regain some control over their real estate purchase.

Because in today’s market, waiting does not always mean saving money.

Sometimes, it simply means paying more later.