An imported dome or yurt kit listed at 30% less than a Quebec-made structure often costs more in total once you add shipping, customs, adaptations for Canadian snow loads, hard-to-find parts, and the lack of a local warranty. For a rental asset operated for 10 years or more, local manufacturing wins the calculation in the majority of cases.
The listed price is not the price paid
To the price of an imported kit, add: shipping and customs clearance (often 15-25% of the price), exchange rates, 3 to 6-month lead times, and the risk of receiving a product that doesn't match the photos. There is no practical recourse in the event of a dispute.
The ultimate test: snow loads
Most imported kits are designed for mild climates. A snow load in Saguenay or Charlevoix can destroy an undersized structure—and your insurer will deny the claim if the structure does not have plans that comply with Canadian standards. Our structures are designed and tested in Saint-David-de-Falardeau, in one of the harshest climates in the country.
The issue of parts and warranty
A torn membrane in the middle of the rental season = weeks of lost revenue if the part comes from abroad. With a local manufacturer: parts are in stock, service is in French, and a technician is reachable.
The argument bankers understand
To finance or insure a commercial site, institutions require sealed plans and an identifiable manufacturer. An imported structure without documentation complicates financing, insurance, and the resale of the asset.
The 7 questions to ask any manufacturer
- Do your plans comply with the snow loads in my region?
- Can I visit existing installations?
- What is the actual delivery lead time?
- Are replacement parts in stock?
- What is the warranty and who honors it?
- Do you offer installation?
- How many years have you been delivering in Canada?
We have been answering these 7 questions since 2009, with over 2,000 homes delivered.
