Most homeowners don't find out what their build really costs until it's too late. We give you the real number before construction starts.
Pricing that works for you,
not against you
With most builders, cost-plus contracts mean your builder earns more when you spend more.
We price differently.
Your construction costs are fixed before we break ground, and our fee is built into that number. This means our goals are the same as yours, to finish on time and on budget.
The price in your contract is the price you pay
Labor, materials, construction. All fixed before we start.
If something takes longer or costs us more on our end, that's on us.
The number you approved doesn't change.
Your only variable is the finishes you pick
We give you an itemized allowance for each finish category, from flooring to fixtures.
Stay within the allowance and your total doesn't change.
If you want to spend more on countertops, you'll see the exact difference before you commit. No surprises after the fact.
our incentives match yours
With cost-plus, your builder earns a percentage of whatever you spend. The more it costs, the more they make.
Our model is the opposite. Our fee is fixed. Delays and overruns hurt us, not you.
When your project stays on budget and on schedule, we both win.
Four decisions that shape your budget
Your construction costs are fixed. These four choices determine what that number for your custom home looks like.
Project type
(You control this)
A custom home, laneway, and multiplex each serve different goals. Whether you're building a forever home, adding rental income, or creating a mortgage helper, your type of project shapes the scope, the timeline, and the budget.
We walk you through what's possible on your property and what each option costs so you can choose the path that fits your family and your finances.
Size & complexity
(You control this)
Square footage and design complexity are the biggest costs in any custom home build. A 2,000 sq ft home with a simple layout costs less than a 4,000 sq ft home with multiple roof lines and custom architectural features.
During design, you'll see how every decision around size and complexity affects your budget in real numbers, so you can make trade-offs before anything is locked in.
Site conditions
(Your property controls this)
Your lot's slope, soil quality, and access all affect what the foundation and site preparation will cost.
We assess all of this during your property consultation and factor it into your budget before design begins, so there's nothing unexpected once construction starts.
Finish level
(You control this)
Your finish selections, things like flooring, countertops, cabinets, tile, and fixtures, make up roughly 20-30% of your total project cost. This is another area where you have full control.
You decide where to invest and where to save based on what you'll notice and use every day. Premium finishes in the kitchen, builder-grade in the laundry room. Every upgrade is priced and approved before any work happens.
How Metro Vancouver families afford custom homes
Many of our clients pay less per month than they would renting a two-bedroom apartment. The strategy is simple. Build a home with a secondary suite and laneway, and the rental income offsets a significant portion of your mortgage. A $1.2M build sounds like a lot until the property is paying for itself.
How rental income changes the math
Tenants help your mortgage
The rental income from a secondary suite or laneway home can cover a large portion of your mortgage, and in many Metro Vancouver neighbourhoods, all of it. You live in a custom home while your tenants help pay it off.
You're not locked in forever
Many families use rental income for 5-10 years while the kids are young and expenses are high, then convert the suite to extended family, a home office, or additional living space once they don't need the extra income anymore.
It pays for itself
Adding a suite and laneway might add $300k-$400k to your construction cost, but it generates $2,400-$3,500/month in rental income. That's $28,800-$42,000 per year. The additional construction cost is recovered in 7-12 years through rental income alone.
Is this right for you?
Not every property supports this strategy. Zoning, lot size, and neighbourhood rental demand all matter. We'll help you figure out whether it makes sense for your property during your free consultation.
The price of custom homes in Metro Vancouver
Here's what families in the area are spending on custom homes, laneways, and multiplexes right now.
Price per square foot:
$250–$400.
A simpler design on a flat lot with mid-range finishes lands toward the lower end. A complex design on a challenging site with high-end finishes lands toward the upper end.
Typical project scope
Most families build 2,500-3,500 sq ft homes in Metro Vancouver. At $250-$400/sq ft, that puts most custom home builds in the $625k-$1.4M range depending on site, complexity, and finishes.
Your specific cost depends on the four factors above plus your finish selections.
Laneway homes
What you can build depends on where you live. Vancouver caps most laneway homes around 500-900 sq ft. Burnaby now allows up to 1,500 sq ft. Surrey, Coquitlam, and other municipalities each have their own rules.
Since you're building standalone systems on a laneway home, expect around $350-$500/sq ft. We walk you through all of this during your property consultation.
