Crave Homes builds custom and luxury homes across Burnaby, BC, from infill lots near Metrotown to established streets around Deer Lake through a five stage process shaped by Burnaby’s tree protection and infill zoning rules. Burnaby protects trees from 20 cm across on a lot with a development application, and from 30 cm for conifers and 45 cm for deciduous trees otherwise, measured 1.3 m above the ground.
Burnaby’s R1 Zoning and What Your Lot Can Now Carry
In June 2024 Burnaby replaced its former single family R districts with one R1 zone to meet the Province’s small scale multi unit housing rules. Depending on lot size and how close it is to frequent transit, many former single family lots can now carry three to six units. That changes what a lot can hold and what it is worth, so we check the current R1 rules for your address before design.
Why Build a Custom Home in Burnaby
Central Metro Vancouver location
Easy access to Vancouver and the Tri Cities. The Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines help to get around the region.
Green space in the city
Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake Park, and Central Park, trails and open space to many neighbourhoods.
Strong school catchments
Neighbourhoods such as Buckingham Heights and Government Road are established family areas with access to local schools.
Tree lined, established streets
Many Burnaby streets are lined with older and low density homes. That makes the city a good fit for homeowners who want to replace an older house with a custom home.
Burnaby Building Considerations
Tree bylaw
Burnaby’s tree bylaw requires a permit to remove protected trees, and many established neighbourhoods carry mature canopy that shapes early site planning.
Grading & drainage
Burnaby has a mix of hills, slopes, and lower lying areas. That’s why we look at grading and stormwater early, so they can be properly worked into the home’s design.
Permitting timelines
The City of Burnaby updated its single and two family building permit process in 2023 and does not publish a guaranteed timeline for a new custom home. As a planning figure, allow three to six months from a complete application to permit, longer where tree permits or the newer R1 zoning review apply. A complete submission is the biggest thing that shortens the wait, so we assemble the drawings, reports and forms before we submit.
Types of Homes We Build in Burnaby
Custom Homes
Ground up single family builds on Burnaby’s established infill lots.
Custom Estates
Larger builds for the bigger lots found near Deer Lake and Buckingham Heights.
Laneway & Infill Builds
Additional density builds where permitted, under Burnaby’s current small scale multi unit housing rules.
Why Crave Homes in Burnaby
Custom Approach
Your home should reflect how you live. We start with your ideas then shape the design around your preferences.
Uncompromising Quality
Good workmanship shows in the details. We choose materials carefully and take the time to make sure each part of the build is finished properly.
Burnaby Expertise
Our team understands tree protection bylaws and plans around setbacks, buildable space, and tree canopy retention from the start.
Client First Service
You should know what is happening with your project. We keep communication clear and help you make informed decisions without unnecessary surprises or hidden costs.
Our Build Process
1. Get to Know You, With Confidence
We understand your lifestyle, investment and goals. As an experienced custom home builder, we keep the process transparent and protect your interests.
2. Design Collaboration, From Vision to Blueprint
We work with you and your architect to develop the plans. We pay close attention to the details so the design works well on paper and makes sense to build.
3. Let the Fun Begin, Construction in Motion
We bring your vision to life and provide regular updates through our CRM. In this way you can see how the project is progressing without having to chase for information.
4. Move In, With Peace of Mind
As the build comes together, we go through the home carefully before handover. We walk you through the finished home so you can move in feeling confident.
5. Continuous Improvement, The Crave Commitment
Every project refines our process. Your feedback helps us keep raising the standard for every custom home we build.
Recent Crave Homes Craftsmanship
Crave Homes is based in North Vancouver and builds across Metro Vancouver, including Burnaby. The projects below are recent work on the North Shore and in West Vancouver. The same team, trades and process handle a Burnaby lot under the newer R1 zoning.
Pricing & What’s Included
Custom home construction in Metro Vancouver in 2026 typically runs from about $425 to $600 per square foot for a well built standard custom home, and from about $600 to $900 per square foot and up for a luxury home with premium finishes, complex structure or a difficult site. Those are hard construction costs. They do not include the land, architectural and engineering fees, permit and municipal fees, GST, site servicing, demolition of an existing house, or landscaping.
Crave Homes does not price by the square foot. The ranges above are to help you plan. Every Burnaby home is priced on its own scope.
Before construction starts, we agree on a clear, detailed scope of work. This means you know what is included from the start, with no hidden costs or unexpected changes later.
Client Testimonials
“Tyler and his team at Crave Homes Ltd. are by far the best contractors we have worked with. They were respectful, reliable, and executed a high standard of workmanship on our kitchen renovation. We were particularly pleased with the level of communication by Tyler, in addition to the transparency on both the quote and invoices.”
“Tyler and his crew are different from most contractors we have used. He is trustworthy, he will consult and advise you, as opposed to blindly doing what you ask, he cares about the work of himself and his crew, and he is hands-on involved in the project from start to end.”
“I thoroughly recommend Crave Homes. They remodelled my home to a level that I thought was not possible. I am delighted with the outcome. They are completely trustworthy and offer not only excellent work but they listened to my plans and guided me through the process.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Burnaby?
As a planning figure, a 3,000 square foot custom home in Burnaby at 2026 Metro Vancouver construction costs lands roughly between $1.3 million and $1.8 million to build, before land, design fees, permits, GST and landscaping. A larger luxury home with premium finishes runs about $600 to $900 per square foot and up, so a 4,000 square foot luxury build is often $2.4 million to $3.6 million in construction alone. The lot, the slope and the level of finish move the number more than the city does. Request a custom estimate and we will price your actual scope.
Can I build a laneway home or add a second unit on my Burnaby lot?
Possibly. Recent provincial small scale multi unit housing (SSMUH) legislation has changed what’s allowed on many Burnaby RS lots. Before you finalize the design, check your property’s current zoning with the City of Burnaby.
Do I need a permit to remove trees on my Burnaby property?
In most cases, yes. Burnaby has rules that protect larger trees on private properties. The size and location of a tree can affect your plans.
What Burnaby neighbourhoods does Crave Homes build in?
We build across Burnaby including areas near Deer Lake, Buckingham Heights and Government Road.
How long does a custom home build take in Burnaby?
Most custom homes in Metro Vancouver take 12 to 24 months from the first design meeting to move in. Design, engineering and permitting usually take four to eight months, and construction takes 10 to 18 months depending on the size of the home, the site and the level of finish. Tree permits and the newer R1 zoning review can add time at the front end. We map the full schedule with you before construction starts.
Related Areas We Serve
Ready to Start Your Custom Home in Burnaby?
Book a consultation with Crave Homes to discuss your lot, budget, and plans for your new Burnaby home.