Real Estate Lawyer for New Build Home Purchases in Ontario
Flat-fee legal services for Ontario new build purchases. Two closings, no surprises, and personal attention at every stage.
Flat legal fees of $1,075 + HST at Occupancy and $2,075 + HST at Final Closing
Personal file review by Diane Ulman at every stage
Virtual and in-person closings available across Ontario
Clear written quote provided after every consultation
New Build Purchases Are Different
Buying a home from a builder is not the same as buying a resale property. The agreement you sign is not a standard OREA form. It is written by the builder's lawyers and it heavily favours the builder. Understanding what you are agreeing to before you sign is one of the most important things you can do as a new build buyer.
New build purchases also involve two separate closings, each with their own legal requirements, fees, and timelines. Most buyers are not aware of this until they are already in the process.
At Dwell Law, your file is reviewed personally by Diane Ulman from start to finish. Not passed to a clerk, not processed by a platform.
Understanding Your Two Closings
Every new build purchase in Ontario involves two distinct legal closings:
Occupancy Closing The first closing is Occupancy. This is when you take possession of the property and move in, but the title remains in the builder's name. You will pay the builder an occupancy fee during this period, similar to rent, until the Final Closing occurs. Our flat legal fee at Occupancy is $1,075 + HST.
Final Closing The second closing is the Final Closing. This is when your name and your mortgage are officially registered on title and you become the legal owner of the property. This stage involves its own detailed review of documents, calculations, and coordination with the builder, your lender, and government authorities. Our flat legal fee at Final Closing is $2,075 + HST.
Both stages involve extensive legal work which is why fees are charged at each stage separately.
Total legal fees: $3,150 + HST across both closings, including legal work for one mortgage.
What Is Included
At both the Occupancy and Final Closing, Dwell Law handles:
Review of your builder Agreement of Purchase and Sale
Detailed review of all closing documents and calculations
Coordination with the builder, your lender, and government authorities
Review and explanation of closing adjustments
Registration of title and mortgage at Final Closing
Tarion warranty guidance
Remote signing and virtual appointments available
Clear, ongoing communication throughout both stages
Our Pricing
Our flat legal fees for a standard new build purchase are $1,075 + HST at Occupancy and $2,075 + HST at Final Closing. We do not charge extra for faxing, copying, bank fees, courier costs, or other office expenses.
Additional legal fees may apply if your mortgage is with a private lender, if you require a bridge loan, or if one of your closing dates is less than two weeks away. We are happy to provide a tailored quote if any of these apply.
A note on our deposit: Once we have reviewed your builder contract and your deal is firm, we request a non-refundable deposit of $500 + HST. This deposit is applied toward the $1,075 fee due at Occupancy.
What you pay Dwell Law: $1,075 + HST at Occupancy. $2,075 + HST at Final Closing. Deposit of $500 + HST collected once your deal is firm, applied to the Occupancy fee.
What every Ontario home purchase requires regardless of your lawyer:
These are government-mandated and third-party costs that are the same no matter which lawyer you use. They are not Dwell Law charges.
Land Transfer Tax, based on purchase price
Government registration fees, approximately $85 to $170
Title insurance, approximately $600 to $1,500 based on property value and lender requirements
Ministry search fees, approximately $75 to $150
Electronic ID verification, $27.50 + HST per purchaser (this reflects our current provider rate; fees vary by law firm)
After your free consultation you will receive a clear, itemised quote by email so you know exactly what your closing will cost before you commit. No surprises, no hidden fees.
First-time buyers purchasing from a builder
Families buying a new build detached, semi-detached, or townhouse
Condo buyers purchasing a pre-construction unit
Investors purchasing new build properties
Buyers in Burlington, Milton, Oakville, and across the GTA where new build activity is highest
Who We Work With
Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about buying a new build? Diane is available for a free 15-minute consultation before you sign your builder agreement. Builder contracts are not standard forms and should be reviewed by a lawyer before you commit. There is no obligation and no pressure. Just clear answers before you sign anything.
Why are there two legal fees for a new build purchase? Because there are two separate closings, each requiring their own detailed legal work. The Occupancy Closing and the Final Closing are distinct legal processes with different documents, calculations, and registrations. Each one requires the same level of attention and care as a standard resale purchase.
What is an occupancy fee? During the period between your Occupancy Closing and your Final Closing, you occupy the property but do not yet own it legally. The builder charges an occupancy fee during this period, which covers the builder's costs until the Final Closing occurs. Your lawyer will review the occupancy fee calculation to make sure it is correct.
What are closing adjustments on a new build? Closing adjustments are additional costs calculated by the builder at Final Closing. They can include development charges, utility connections, property tax adjustments, and other items. They are one of the biggest surprises for new build buyers and can add thousands of dollars to your closing costs. Dwell Law reviews every adjustment carefully to make sure the calculations are accurate.
What does Tarion cover? Tarion is Ontario's new home warranty program. It provides coverage for deposit protection, delayed closing compensation, and warranty protection on the home itself. Your lawyer will explain what Tarion covers and what your rights are as a new build buyer.
Should I have a lawyer review my builder agreement before I sign? Yes, strongly. Builder agreements are written by the builder's lawyers and contain terms that heavily favour the builder. Having Diane review your agreement before you sign can identify issues that are very difficult to address after the fact. Book a free consultation before you commit.
Can I sign my closing documents remotely? Yes. Dwell Law offers virtual appointments and remote signing so you can complete both your Occupancy and Final Closing from anywhere in Ontario.
WHAT OUR CLIENT’S SAY
“Diane and her entire team were a pleasure to work with. From the onset, every step was clarified and made easy to navigate. This was our first home purchase and the process was made so stress free by Diane. We felt supported and everyone’s communication was professional and prompt. We would highly recommend anyone to Diane and her team and would definitely use Dwell Law services in the future.”
Ready to move forward? Book your free 15-minute consultation and receive a clear written quote by email.