Building in Burnaby

Burnaby offers a middle ground—close to Vancouver with more reasonable permit timelines and surprisingly less competition. From post-war bungalows in Deer Lake to modern builds near Brentwood there's variety here.

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What to Know About Building in Burnaby

Burnaby is BC's third largest city sitting between Vancouver and the eastern suburbs. Two SkyTrain lines run through it connecting neighbourhoods like Metrotown Brentwood and Lougheed to downtown Vancouver and beyond. Permit timelines run 2-8 weeks depending on project complexity—significantly faster than Vancouver.

The city has been updating their R1 District regulations and now requires applications to meet zoning bylaw provisions in their entirety. Housing stock varies dramatically—you'll find well-maintained post-war homes alongside modern redevelopments often on the same street. The urban centres at Metrotown Brentwood and Lougheed are undergoing significant development adding density and amenities.

Local Considerations and Challenges

Burnaby's mix of housing ages means project complexity varies significantly by neighbourhood. Deer Lake and Upper Deer Lake have many custom-built homes on larger lots with proximity to parks and the arts district. Brentwood has transformed into a vibrant urban centre with excellent transit—great for clients who want accessibility.

Capitol Hill and Burnaby Heights offer character homes with views. Some hillside properties have specific requirements worth understanding early. The city takes unpermitted work seriously and will enforce bylaws—important to know if buying a property with potential unauthorized renovations. Engineering pre-applications typically take about 15 business days for review before you can submit for building permit.

Cost of Building in Burnaby

Burnaby offers a middle ground on costs—more accessible than Vancouver but still well-located. Faster permit timelines reduce pre-construction carrying costs. Development and amenity cost charges are collected when building permits are issued.

Areas like Deer Lake command premiums—custom homes there often sell for $2-5M+—while other neighbourhoods offer more accessible entry points. The city's R1 zoning changes have created new opportunities for small-scale multi-unit housing which may affect land values and development potential.

What our client say

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I cannot say enough good things about the working with Vibe Design Build. They carefully listened to our vision and designed solutions customized for our lifestyle and our needs, all within our budget. Extremely professional from the consultation to the completion.
Carolyn Marine
Home Owner
I suggest Vibe Design Build, more specifically if you want custom work completed. They carried out our vision perfectly, often got in touch with us and managed to do the renovations within time frame as well while staying on budget. The team members are very educated and highly trusted. Their work is simply fabulous!
Brad Hays
Home Owner
With the help of Vibe Design Build, we managed to transform traditional-looking spaces into modern and functional parts loved by our entire family. From the kitchen and bathrooms onward, in all aspects of the media room and recreation rooms, they consistently exceeded expectations. Two thumbs up!
James Landry
Home Owner
I want to mention that Vibe Design Build did a great job with our kitchen remodel. They have been part and parcel of our budget offering us creative designs and finishes. Professionalism was highly vested in both the project managers and contractors and they were a fun-loving team. Very satisfied with the end product.
Jorge Cross
Home Owner
Working with Vibe Design Build on our home renovation in Vancouver was an absolute pleasure. The team's creativity from idea generation to finalization was commendable. Their use of modern 3D rendering technology allowed us, as clients, to visualize our future home with clarity. It was a fantastic experience overall!
Peter Adams
Home Owner
Vibe Design Build streamlined our entire home renovation project. Their team provided expert guidance in design choices and ensured sensible deadlines were met. The crew was knowledgeable, polite, and maintained a tidy workspace. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Highly recommend!
Herbert Jolly
Home Owner
From initial design concepts to the final touches, Vibe Design Build exceeded all our expectations with their professionalism and top-notch craftsmanship throughout our renovation. It was a seamless, end-to-end quality experience. True to its name, Vibe transformed our house from drab to fab.
Trula Brink
Home Owner
In the previous week, the best choice was made by family members and me to hire Vibe Design Build for our home renovation. We held job interviews with several companies and Vibe has proven to be the latter of what we are looking for. Not only the drawings which they provided were so much elegant, but they were also customized to our requirements. The expert teams successfully accomplished the mission which was really tough to implement We all just witnessed our dream to be a reality. At every stage: from the first consultation to the stage performance, the process came to me as a unique manner. I Wholeheartedly endorse Vibe Design Build as the best choice for your renovations because of their carefree and top-notch service.
Fred Lugard
Home Owner
The designers were very professional because both their drawings were intricate and they inclined toward our desires. The specialist crews combined evoking our dreams and turning them into a charming atmosphere. Since the first contact into the post-walk through scene every step was something personal. You may find Vibe Design Build to be your perfect match whether you are an amateur or an experienced renovator aiming for a stress-free and flawless journey.
Joseph Hubbard
Home Owner
After interviewing many contractors for our bathroom remodel, I decided to proceed with Vibe Design Build because my choice was made in terms of their detail consciousness and excellent reviews. And the results are fantastic. The work is completed right on time, very professional and of course exceeding our expectations. Indeed, they should to the people demanding superb service.
Melissa McKee
Home Owner
We're absolutely thrilled with the incredible transformation that Vibe Design Build brought to our Vancouver home. From the initial planning stages to the flawless execution, they surpassed our lofty expectations every step of the way. Our house has transcended from a mere dwelling into a true embodiment of our dreams and aspirations. Hats off to the entire team for their outstanding work!
Elena Foster
Home Owner
It sounds like Vibe Design Build truly delivered exceptional service and exceeded your expectations during your home renovation project. Their ability to creatively solve problems while maintaining high standards and keeping costs in check is commendable. It's great to hear that you now have a beautiful and functional home to enjoy for years to come thanks to their expertise. If you ever need further assistance or recommendations in the future, feel free to ask!
Gezephi Buthelezi
Home Owner
It sounds like you made a well-informed decision in choosing Vibe Design Build for your home renovation project. Finding a contractor who aligns with your vision and has the necessary skills and expertise is crucial for the success of any renovation endeavor. It's great to hear that Vibe Design Build stood out during the interview process and ultimately proved to be the perfect fit for your family's needs. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
George Koontz
Home Owner
Our kitchen needed some renovations and Vibe Design Build did a beautiful job. They started with a revision to the layout which included a beautiful design, then suggested we put in modern appliances, custom cabinets, and a big island. Now the room is great for cooking and having people over. They paid great attention to detail and were very good at planning and execution.
Dana Colton
Home Owner
Since using Vibe Design Build, our basement has become a fantastic game room. Along with inviting seats, they installed a bar and a pool table. For gatherings of all kinds, it has become the place to be. I am astounded by their ingenuity and professionalism. I would recommend it without hesitation.
Pearl Scroggins
Home Owner

Who's Building in Burnaby

Burnaby attracts a diverse mix. Young families and professionals want proximity to Vancouver without the price tag. Students and faculty gravitate toward areas near SFU and BCIT. Brentwood and Metrotown draw buyers who want urban amenities and transit access.

Deer Lake attracts those seeking custom homes near green space and cultural amenities. Throughout the city you'll find post-war homes being maintained by long-time residents alongside modern redevelopments—testimony to residents wanting to stay in their neighbourhoods for life. Clients here typically want contemporary updates modern layouts and efficient use of space.

FAQs

How long do permits take in Burnaby?

Burnaby permit timelines run 2-8 weeks depending on complexity. Engineering pre-applications take about 15 business days. Much faster than Vancouver's 6-9 month process.

What neighbourhoods are best for custom builds in Burnaby?

Deer Lake and Upper Deer Lake offer larger lots near parks and cultural amenities. Capitol Hill and Vancouver Heights have character homes with views. Brentwood appeals to those wanting urban amenities. Each area has distinct character and typical home styles.

Is there less competition for builders in Burnaby?

Surprisingly yes. Many builders focus heavily on Vancouver or go further east to the Valley. Burnaby sits in a sweet spot that's somewhat overlooked which can work in clients' favour.

What types of homes are common in Burnaby?

Burnaby has significant variety—post-war bungalows from the 60s and 70s modern redevelopments townhomes and high-rise condos near transit hubs. Detached home renovations and rebuilds are common throughout established neighbourhoods.

How do Burnaby's building codes compare to Vancouver?

Burnaby follows standard BC Building Code without Vancouver's elevated step code requirements. The city has been updating R1 zoning regulations so requirements have evolved recently—we stay current on what's needed for compliance.