Custom Homes in Burnaby (2026)
When you build your own custom home, you are able to make choices that are the most appropriate for your family. Compared to existing homes, where you may be required to adjust the way you and your family live to the space, you can create a floor plan to adapt to the way you and your family want to live.
Of course, the choices you are able to make will be within certain constraints, such as the guidelines of the City of Burnaby and the preferences of your family.
From the perspective of homeowners looking to build a custom home in Burnaby, the first step is to evaluate the property and understand the restrictions it has.
Understanding the Property
Before a homeowner begins making choices about their custom home, they will need to understand the land and the constraints it has. The land will greatly influence the types of choices that can be made. Some constraints of the land may include the slope of the land, the size and shape of the land, existing structures, and the zoning restrictions of the land. There may also be restrictions for the types of homes that can be built on the land. It is important for homeowners to ask:
- What restrictions are there for the kind of house I want to build?
- What are the height and setback restrictions?
- What types of construction is permitted?
- What percentage of the land can I build on?
- Are there any covenants or restrictions?
- Are there any protection orders (i.e. tree, drainage, environmental, etc.)?
- What is the cost for demolition, excavation, site preparation?
It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the constraints pertaining to your property before you apply for your building permit.
The best place to start designing your project is to start on the property itself. It can be a costly mistake to design a house that cannot be built.
Know the Burnaby 2026 Building and Zoning regulations.
2026 was the year that Burnaby introduced their new zoning bylaw.
It is important that you review constraints of your property and not review constraints pertaining to a neighboring property.
There are zones that allow for multi-unit housing.
The number of units that can be developed on a property are dependent upon constraints such as building coverage, height and other restrictions.
Design your house to accommodate your family needs.
The most frequent question that we get from clients is "How much will my custom home cost?" There is no easy way to answer that. There are so many factors that come in to play with this including how the home is finished, the design, the materials used to construct the home, the site conditions, and the location.
The cost of a home ultimately depends upon the wants and needs of the client.
Energy-efficient homes may cost more up-front than their traditional counterparts.
There are many costs associated with a project before, during, and after construction that need to be considered when developing a budget.
Site preparation and permitting costs are included in the design and construction costs of a home.
Site work and excavation are the first of many construction costs, followed by the construction of the foundation, framing, roofing, exterior completion, and the various systems of the home, and finally, the completion of the interior of the home.
The type of finishes on the floors, cabinets in the kitchens and bathrooms, and the type of materials used on the roof impacts the cost of constructing a home.
Costs of fencing and retaining walls surrounding the home are not reflected in the estimate. The best way to keep the budget in control of what you build is to shop around for contractors, and ensure that the items in the quotes are the things you need and want. Items in quotes can be reduced. It is up to you, the consumer, to add back the items that are needed.
Home Design According to Family's Needs
The needs of family members influence significantly the design of the space. This ultimately leads to few changes to the house a few years after moving in.
Spend a few moments considering how you use the space in your home. Is your home occupied by many people? How do you manage meals? Do you ever feel like your home is too small?
Some families want or need a more open plan for their living and kitchen areas. Some families require or prefer a closed area for study and work.
Closet and pantry design, as well as laundry room design, can help hide clutter in a home. How will your needs change over time? Is a Flex Space helpful to you?
What changes can be made to make your home produce more energy?
Insulate and seal air leaks? What about the HVAC and windows? If not integrated together, they can make a home expensive to occupy.
There are a number of systems homeowners can request to be added to their home that will lower energy and carbon use. Homeowners can also request the design-build team include specific systems for health and wellness, indoor air quality, mechanical ventilation, heating and cooling systems, and other systems for energy and carbon performance.
As mandated by the BC Energy Step Code and the BC Zero Carbon Step Code, some buildings in Burnaby must also meet health and wellness, indoor air quality, and energy and carbon performance requirements.
At 88 Homes, our goal is to integrate healthy, sustainable, and regenerative design practices into our homes.
Homes are designed and built to allow homeowners to "live a healthier life."
In areas with high precipitation, such as Burnaby, the building materials and especially the cladding of the home must be able to withstand the climate. The same is true for the interior of the home. The building materials must be able to withstand the expected use of the space. Different flooring may be used in different rooms of the home. For example, carpets may be used in bedrooms, and foyers may be tiled.
1. A building permit is one of the first things needed for the construction of a home in Burnaby.
There are a series of inspections and approvals and building permits that must be fulfilled before a home is inhabited.
2. Creating the design and obtaining professional input.
This step is the formation of the building design and the coordination of the input of professionals.
3. Preparation of application documents.
4. Obtaining required approvals and permits.
The time required to obtain the permits varies between jurisdictions. A permit may be required for any alteration to the home, including a fence.
5. Completion of construction and inspections.
6. Occupancy permit.
There are variations in the process, and the time required to complete a project depends on the complexity of the project, the level of input required, conditions of the site, the materials available, and the level of consulting.
Trust and experience are essential in custom home building, and most of the labor should be done for you.
Look for Experience.
This industry is hyper-localized. You must investigate in the area you wish to build. Experience speaks best for itself. Request examples of work and evaluate designs. Are the elements of the design pleasing to you? Evaluate if the designs exemplify attention to detail, finish, and aesthetic appeal. Are the designs architecturally pleasing? Evaluate the builder's reputation and how they manage and coordinate the work of the trades to stay within the architect's and engineer's approved plans. This is in reference to deviating from the approved plans. They must provide you with exclusions, payment schedules, and major project milestones. They should be willing to provide you this information prior to entering into a legally binding agreement. They outline their commitment to you.
Quality craftsmanship is one of the things that they are most proud of and according to what their clients say, one of the things that they focus on is making a small environmental impact with their builds. Client values are something that they stress a lot and are very determined to stick to them during their build process.
The Plan You've Been Waiting For
Design-build takes into account many aspects of your project, including your land, your budget, your constraints, your desires, performance, and the schedule.
If your goal is to build your custom home in Burnaby by 2026, now would be a good time to start your plan in motion. The first major step for many is to really take the time to get to know your land and the lot you're working with.
Knowing your real needs will help to eliminate your wants. Set a realistic budget, and get your plans in order with the help of a professional who has your best interests in mind. You should not finalize your building plans until you have completed all of the aforementioned steps.
A bit of planning can help you build the right home for your family to build a home you will all love to live in.
