About the awards
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Awards are open to any project by any renovator or custom builder in the province of Ontario. However, only BILD members are recognized as nominees, finalists and/or winners. If you are not currently a member, please reach out us to discuss what BILD membership can do for your business.

Each entry is $300 + HST = $339.00, payable by credit card.

January 15th, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

While non-members may enter any category or be listed under organizations to acknowledge, only BILD members in good standing will be recognized as finalists and/or winners. If you are not currently a member, please reach out to us to discuss what BILD membership can do for your business.

We announce the nominees via our website and social channels (make sure to follow us). The winners will later be revealed during our live awards show. You will also receive an email notifying you of the results.

Finalists Announced: March 25, 2026

Winners Announced: April 22, 2026

The winner results will be revealed at our annual luncheon on April 22, 2026. This event features a cocktail reception, followed by a three-course lunch.

Ticket Fees:

  • Members: Early bird until April 14: $75 + HST single seat, $750 + HST table of 10
  • Members: After April 14: $90 + HST single seat, $900 + HST table of 10
  • Non-members: $125 + HST

Dress Code: Business

Please note that any content submitted as part of the nomination may be used in displays, communication or promotional materials by BILD. Entry material may be displayed within the RenoMark feature at BILD homes shows. BILD reserves the right to exclude entry submissions from display at any BILD exhibits. All entry submissions become the property of BILD. BILD does not guarantee return of any entry exhibit materials or images.

Submitting your entries

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All entries must be submitted online. If you need assistance, please call us at 416-391-3446.

Absolutely! By saving your entries as you go, you can make edits up until the official entry deadline via your entry dashboard.

You can pay via credit card on our website once your entries are complete.

Payments must be received by the entry deadline to qualify for judging.

Yes, you will be able to edit your entries up until the official deadline.

To edit your entries log on to your Dashboard > 'Awards' > 'Nominations' and edit.

RESOLUTION: 300 DPI with a maximum file size of 5 MB (print-ready quality).

FORMAT: Only high-resolution .jpg or .png files are accepted.

ORIENTATION: Images may be vertical, horizontal, or square in orientation.

COLOUR: Images must be in colour (black-and-white, grayscale or sepia images will not be used).

FEATURE PHOTO: Upload the photo you would like BILD to use to promote your entry. Wherever possible, we will use your feature photo, but this is not guaranteed. This photo counts toward your total maximum photo count for the entry.

  • Images must not include layers, borders or frames.
  • All images must be anonymous – do not include people, logos, signage, or any identifying features in your images, unless specified in the category criteria.
  • Images may not be modified, enhanced, or distorted in any way (removing identifiable signage/people is permitted).
  • Images must be clear.
  • Dusk/evening photography is permitted.

DO NOT submit renderings, photo collages or virtual furnishings/staging.

DO NOT add text or logo overlays on photos. These photos will be removed from judges’ consideration.

For all project-related categories, there is a new field for you to upload a video walk-through of your project. This is an OPTIONAL item to include in your entry. You can provide a link OR upload the file to the Awards Platform. 

Here are some helpful guidelines and information:

1. Prepare Your Video

  • Ensure the video is in one of the accepted formats: MP4.
  • Recommended resolution: 1080p (1920x1080).
  • Video should be no longer than 2 minutes.
  • Keep the file size under the maximum limit of 8GB.
  • Double-check that audio and visuals are clear and professional.
  • Ensure you have homeowner permission.

2. Rename Your File

  • Use a clear, standardized naming format. Example: ProjectName_Awards2025_Walkthrough.mp4

3. Prepare Your Video Link Versus Uploading a File

  • You can either provide a link to your video OR upload to BILD's account.
  • If choosing a link: provide a link to the video hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. Video privacy is controlled by the nominator - you  should ensure that the video can be viewed via the shared link.
  • Source files must first be uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube, then the link copied before making the nomination.

4. How Will The Video Be Used?

  • Remember you are handing over the rights to your video footage for BILD's use in any promotion of its members, the RenoMark Awards or your project.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Slow upload? Try compressing your video using tools like HandBrake or Adobe Media Encoder.
  • Video not uploading? Make sure your internet connection is stable and the file format is supported.

Entry rules
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Eligible projects are those undertaken and/or completed between January 1, 2024 and January 15, 2026.

Your project is eligible if: 

  • it was undertaken and/or completed between January 1, 2024 and January 15, 2026,
  • it is located in the Province of Ontario,
  • it was renovated/built and ready for occupancy between January 1, 2024 and January 15, 2026,
  • and you have obtained the necessary client permission to enter the project.

The submitter is responsible for obtaining consent from their client to be in compliance with The Privacy Act pertaining to the promotional use and public display of these digital photographic images.

If permission was not stated in your contract, you can use THIS FORM to ensure you have client permission on file.

Yes! Any part of a larger project, such as a bathroom, kitchen, etc., can be entered into multiple categories. However, do not copy and paste your responses from category to category for the same project. Make sure when answering questions, you are specific about the space according to the category title.

  • “Renovation” refers to modifications to a residential home (single, semi, townhome, or condominium suite)
  • “Custom Home” refers to a brand-new home and categories are open to HCRA-registered builders only.

Awards are presented to the BILD member renovator or builder company. We encourage renovators and builders to acknowledge the contributions of other firms, but this is not mandatory. Where other firms are named under “Organizations to Acknowledge” (e.g. architect/technologist, designer), only BILD members will be acknowledged.

Accuracy of spelling and information submitted is the responsibility of the submitter.

BILD reserves the right to re-allocate entries that in their view are entered in an incorrect category. BILD reserves the right to consolidate categories. BILD also reserves the right to remove entries that do not meet the standard for nomination. These entries will not be refunded as they will have been judged accordingly.

The judging process

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Judges are renovators or custom home builders from outside the GTA or members of allied associations (NKBA, DDA, ARIDO, OAA) who are not members of BILD.

A minimum of three (3) judges per category will be appointed by BILD.

Generally speaking, entries are evaluated by the jury across four core criteria:

  • Overall appeal and design elements
  • Creative use of space, functionality of floor plan, and integration within the home (where applicable)
  • Addressing challenges
  • How well the renovation/home addressed the client’s needs within their budget

Depending on the category, additional judging criteria may also apply. Please reference judging criteria for each category.

Renovator and Custom Home Builder of the Year are judged on three (3) criteria. Total score is based on 50% judges' score, 50% customer survey score.

Judges must provide a score for each criterion. All entries are ranked by score.

All work is judged fairly and objectively, regardless of budget or scale.

Acclamation: A single entry within a category can be acclaimed if a minimum score of 85% is awarded by the judging panel.

By entering these awards, you give the organizers the right to publish/exhibit screen grabs and/or your description of the 'project summary'.

Details on the budget specifics, client contact information, and your responses to the questions remain strictly confidential (excluding the 'project summary.')

Please note that any content submitted as part of the nomination may be used in displays, communication or promotional materials by BILD. Entry material may be displayed within the RenoMark feature at BILD homes shows. BILD reserves the right to exclude entry submissions from display at any BILD exhibits. All entry submissions become the property of BILD. BILD does not guarantee return of any entry exhibit materials or images.

Please note that we cannot guarantee judges' feedback on individual entries; however, if you would like a better understanding of the process, how to construct a better entry, please schedule a time to meet with the BILD Awards team.

BILD members are not eligible to serve as judges, but we warmly welcome your recommendations for colleagues outside the membership. You can nominate them by emailing their contact information to awards@bildgta.ca.