Insights

Blog

Practical notes on custom home building, permits, costs, and design in Greater Vancouver.

33 articles
·2 min read

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Vancouver in 2026?

Custom home construction in Greater Vancouver typically runs $350 to $600 per square foot. Here is what drives the number, and how to budget without surprises.

costbudgetingcustom homesvancouver
·1 min read

The Complete Guide to Vancouver Building Permits for Custom Homes

Vancouver's permit process can add 3 to 6 months to your project timeline. Here is what you need to know about the permits, the wait times, and how to avoid the common delays.

permitsbuilding codevancouverprocess
·2 min read

Modern vs. Contemporary Custom Homes: What Vancouver Homeowners Need to Know

Modern and contemporary are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different architectural styles. Here is how they differ, and which might be right for your Vancouver custom build.

designarchitecturemoderncontemporary
·2 min read

Building on a Hillside in West Vancouver: What You Need to Know

West Vancouver's hillside lots offer extraordinary views but require specialized construction expertise. Here is what to consider before you build on a slope.

west vancouverhillsideconstructionengineering
·2 min read

5 Things to Consider Before Building a Waterfront Home in White Rock

White Rock's oceanfront properties are among the most desirable in the Lower Mainland. Here are five critical considerations before building your waterfront home.

white rockwaterfrontconstructioncoastal
·6 min read·Sustainability

Why Every Major Homes Build Has Been EnerGuide Rated Since 2016

Every Major Homes residence built since 2016 has carried an EnerGuide rating. What the rating measures, why we made it baseline, and what it actually means for homeowners.

energuideenergy efficiencybuilding sciencesustainability
·8 min read·Cost & Budget

What a Custom Home Actually Costs in Greater Vancouver in 2024

The honest answer on Greater Vancouver custom home cost in 2024. Per square foot ranges, what they include, where the money actually goes, and how to budget for a realistic build.

custom home costvancouverbudgetconstruction pricing
·7 min read·Location

Building on North Vancouver Hillsides: What You Need to Know

A flat lot in North Vancouver is rare. Most owners buying in Lynn Valley, Deep Cove, or above Capilano are buying a hillside. Here is what hillside construction actually requires.

north vancouverhillside buildscustom homesgeotechnical
·7 min read·Sustainability

BC Step Code Explained: What Net Zero Means for Your 2032 Build

BC will require every new home to be net zero energy ready by 2032. The BC Energy Step Code is how we get there. What it is, what each step requires, and what to ask a builder.

bc step codenet zeroenergy efficiencybuilding code
·2 min read

5 Best Custom Home Builders in Vancouver

The only way to get a job well done is to hire the best custom home builders Vancouver has to offer. Here is how to evaluate a builder and what separates the top firms.

custom home builders vancouvervancouverbuilder selectionhome builders
·2 min read

Home Renovation vs. Home Construction Services: Which One Is Right for You?

You have envisioned your dream space. Turning that vision into reality means choosing between renovating an existing home and starting from scratch. Here is how to decide.

home construction serviceshome renovationcustom homesdecision guide
·2 min read

The Rise of Laneway Homes: How Home Builders Vancouver Can Maximize 33ft Lots

According to Spacing Vancouver, the standard city lot is about 33 feet wide by 122 feet deep. Here is how the right home builders Vancouver owners trust can unlock that space with a laneway home.

home builders vancouverlaneway homesvancouver33ft lots
·4 min read·Company News

Major Homes Wins Built Green Canada Maverick Award

Built Green Canada has named Major Homes the inaugural recipient of its Transformational Maverick Award, recognizing builders who shifted to sustainable construction ahead of regulation.

built green canadasustainabilitymaverick awardcompany news
·2 min read

7 Breathtaking Interiors That Use Double-Height Ceilings as Art

In custom home interior design, double-height ceilings are one of the most powerful ways to make a home feel architectural rather than ordinary. Here are seven approaches that work.

interior designcustom homedouble-height ceilingsarchitecture
·2 min read

Top Maple Ridge Builders for Custom Ranch-Style Homes

Single-storey layouts, open spaces, and easy accessibility. That is the appeal of ranch-style homes, and why custom home builders Maple Ridge clients are choosing them again.

custom home builders maple ridgeranch stylemaple ridgesingle storey
·2 min read

10 Low-Cost Materials That Make a Big Interior Impact

You just broke ground on your dream home. The layout is exactly what you envisioned. Now the finish budget is tight. Here are ten materials that punch well above their price.

interior designbudgetmaterialscustom home
·2 min read

8 Top Flooring Choices That Will Upgrade Your Custom Home

Our custom home builders North Vancouver clients ask about flooring more than almost any other finish. Here are the eight choices we recommend most, and where each works best.

custom home builders north vancouverflooringinterior finishcustom home
·2 min read

6 Front-Yard House Development Ideas That'll Wow Your Neighbours

During house development projects, it is important to see your front yard as the grand entrance to the home. Here are six approaches that turn it into one.

house developmentfront yardlandscapingcurb appeal
·2 min read

Home Developers Explain The Anatomy of a Custom House

Home developers know a custom house is far more technical than picking finishes. Here is the anatomy: the systems, assemblies, and decisions that go into a real custom build.

home developerscustom houseconstruction anatomysystems
·2 min read

Tackling Utility Setups in Vancouver Custom Homes (Water, Power, and Sewage)

A house is more than just a structure. Expert custom home builders Vancouver knows that utility design (water, power, and sewage) is what makes the home actually work.

custom home builders vancouverutilitieswaterelectrical
·2 min read

Luxury vs. Premium Homes: What's the Difference?

Luxury home builders create more than houses. They construct exceptional living spaces. Here is how to tell luxury from premium, and how the two compare in cost and feel.

luxury home builderspremium homesluxury homescustom build
·2 min read

Foundation Depth & How to Build for Stability in Vancouver Climate

Looking for home builders near me usually starts with style and price. It should also include foundation engineering. Here is what foundation depth means in the Vancouver climate.

home builders near mefoundationvancouver climateengineering
·2 min read

Selecting Custom Finishes with Expert Home Builders (Walls, Backsplashes, Doors, & More)

Expert home builders know that every detail in your home, from the walls to the doors, shapes how the finished home feels. Here is how we help clients select custom finishes.

home builderscustom finishesinterior designwalls
·2 min read

Incorporating Local Culture into Custom Home Designs (Lessons from Vancouver's Senakw Project)

Custom home builders today blend modern design with local culture. Here is what the Senakw project teaches us about culturally informed design in Vancouver.

custom home builderslocal culturevancouver designwest coast architecture
·5 min read·Style & Design

Heritage, Modern, or West Coast: Choosing Your Home Style

Style is the first thing custom home clients have an opinion about and often the last thing they actually decide. Here is how Modern, Heritage, and West Coast Modern compare for Greater Vancouver builds.

modern homesheritage homeswest coast moderncustom design
·2 min read

How Custom Home Builders Handle Unique Lot Challenges (Slopes, Small Spaces, etc.)

A dream home starts with the perfect lot, but what if that lot comes with a steep slope, a tiny footprint, or other constraints? Here is how custom home builders solve those problems.

custom home builderslot challengesslopesnarrow lots
·2 min read

Innovative Home Construction Ideas for the Bold and Creative

Home construction is not just about building a place to live. Here are five innovative ideas for owners who want their custom build to push beyond the conventional.

home constructioninnovative designsustainablesmart home
·2 min read

Thinking of Building a Home? Compare These Top Home Construction Options

Finding the right home construction companies can feel overwhelming. Here are the categories of builders to consider and how to choose the right type for your project.

home construction companiesbuilder typescomparisonvancouver
·2 min read

Home Addition Contractors on Building a Home Gym

Are you thinking about building a home gym? Home addition contractors are seeing more and more requests, and there is more to it than you might expect.

home addition contractorshome gymadditionsrenovation
·2 min read

How to Build on Sloped Terrains with a Split-Level Architecture

Modern home builders and homeowners find sloped terrain incredibly exciting. Here is how a split-level architecture turns the slope into a feature rather than a problem.

split levelsloped terrainhome buildershillside
·2 min read

Features That Can (Almost) Fireproof Your Home, According to Home Developers

Home developers near me would agree that it is not just luck that makes some homes survive a fire while neighbouring homes do not. Here are the features that improve fire resistance.

home developersfiresmartwildfirefire resistance
·6 min read·Process

From Lot to Keys: Our 14 Month Custom Home Build Timeline

A typical Major Homes custom build runs 10 to 14 months from design finalization to move in. Here is what happens in each of the four phases, what you deliver, and where timelines slip.

custom home processbuild timelinevancouver custom homesprocess
·6 min read·Founder Notes

Twenty Years On: What 100 Homes Across Greater Vancouver Taught Us

Major Homes turns twenty this summer. After 100 custom homes across Greater Vancouver, here is what two decades of building has taught us about trades, municipalities, and the envelope.

company historyvancouver buildercustom homesanniversary