Renovation disputes in BC: the Civil Resolution Tribunal up to $5,000 and small claims up to $35,000

A disputed renovation invoice or an unreturned deposit is usually too small for a lawyer and too large to ignore. British Columbia has two places for these claims, and the dividing line is $5,000.

Up to $5,000: the Civil Resolution Tribunal

Civil claims of $5,000 or less usually must be resolved at the online Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), not at Provincial Court. The $5,000 limit does not include interest or reasonable dispute-related expenses. You can bring a larger claim to the CRT, but you give up the amount above $5,000.

$5,001 to $35,000: Provincial Court small claims

Provincial Court small claims handles claims up to $35,000. That total includes all claims on the notice of claim, however many defendants there are. Claims above $35,000 go to the BC Supreme Court.

Moving a claim out of the CRT

A party can apply to Provincial Court to exempt a claim from the CRT; the application must be filed within 14 days after a response is made in the CRT.

Build your file before you start

Keep the signed contract or quote, change orders and messages, invoices and payments, dated photos, and written repair estimates from other contractors. A one-page timeline helps both the CRT and the court.

Liens are separate

Contractors and suppliers owed money on an improvement have a separate remedy under the Builders Lien Act, with a 45-day filing period that runs regardless of a CRT or small claims case.

Prevention Checklist

• Work out the amount without interest and expenses.
• $5,000 or less: start at the Civil Resolution Tribunal.
• $5,001 to $35,000: Provincial Court small claims.
• Above $35,000: BC Supreme Court, or give up the excess.
• Contractors: check the 45-day lien deadline first.

References

1. BC Civil Resolution Tribunal. Small Claims, Web page, CRT limit and abandonment of excess. Accessed 2026-11-01.
2. Provincial Court of British Columbia. Small claims, Web page, $35,000 limit; CRT exemption. Accessed 2026-11-01.
3. Province of British Columbia. What is Small Claims Court?, Web page, Overview. Accessed 2026-11-01.

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