The most valuable part of your property might be the backyard
A coach home in Metro Vancouver rents for $2,400 to $3,600 a month. Most builds cost $350K to $550K all-in. We tell you in one free consult whether your lot qualifies and what your numbers look like.
- We handle design, permits, and construction. You make the decisions.
- Built by a Georgie Awards finalist team with 30+ years of building in Metro Vancouver.
- Every build covered by 2-5-10 home warranty insurance.
Does Your Lot Qualify?
Free 20-minute feasibility consult. We check your zoning, servicing, and budget range. No obligation, no site visit needed to start.
The Numbers, Up Front
Every lot is different, so treat these as honest ranges, not promises. Your feasibility consult replaces them with numbers for your specific property.
$2,400 to $3,600
Typical monthly rent for a coach home in Metro Vancouver
$350K to $550K
What most coach home builds cost all-in, permits included
12 to 18 months
From first meeting to a tenant moving in
A worked example
A 2 bedroom, 950 sq ft coach home at $480,000 all-in, renting at $3,200 a month, brings in $38,400 a year. That is an 8 percent gross annual return before operating costs, and it does not count what a second dwelling adds to the resale value of the property. Many owners finance the build against their existing home equity and let the rent carry most or all of the payment.
What Your Budget Gets You
All-in figures: design, permits, construction, and utility connections. No surprise line items at month eight.
Under $350K
Compact studio or 1 bedroom, around 500 to 650 sq ft
A straightforward lot, standard finishes, and an efficient single-level plan. The fastest way to add a rental unit to a property you already own.
$350K to $500K
1 or 2 bedrooms, around 650 to 950 sq ft
Where most of our coach home clients land. Full kitchen, in-suite laundry, quality finishes, and a layout designed around long-term tenants or family.
$500K+
2 bedrooms and up, 950 to 1,200 sq ft
Two-storey plans, premium finishes, or complex sites: sloped lots, tree protection, difficult servicing. Priced honestly after we walk the property.
Why Most Lots Qualify Now
BC's small-scale housing rules pushed municipalities across Metro Vancouver to open single-family zones to additional dwellings. Lots that could not hold a laneway or coach home in 2022 qualify today.
The catch is that every municipality applies its own setbacks, height limits, parking rules, and servicing requirements. That is the part we deal with every week. We design to your city's rulebook and manage the permit application start to finish, so you are not learning zoning bylaws on your own time.
Major Homes has built across Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Langley since 2002. We know which cities move fast on laneway permits and which ones need a longer runway, and we plan your schedule accordingly.
Four Steps From Backyard to Rent Cheque
Feasibility consult
20 minutes, free. We check your zoning, lot dimensions, and servicing, and give you a realistic budget range before you spend a dollar.
Design and permits
We design to your municipality's rules and manage the permit application start to finish. Typically 3 to 6 months depending on the city.
Construction
8 to 12 months of build time with a dedicated project manager. Your main house stays livable throughout; you do not move out.
Occupancy
Final inspections, occupancy permit, and handover. We can connect you with property managers if you plan to rent it out.
Coach Home Questions, Answered
Most single-family lots in Metro Vancouver now qualify. BC's small-scale housing legislation and municipal laneway programs opened up the majority of residential zones. Eligibility comes down to lot size, lane or street access, and site servicing. We confirm all three in the feasibility consult at no cost.
Most of our builds land between $350,000 and $550,000 all-in, including design, permits, construction, and utility connections. The main cost drivers are size, site conditions, and finish level. You get an itemized estimate for your specific lot before you commit to anything.
In Metro Vancouver, 1 bedroom coach homes typically rent for $2,400 to $2,800 a month and 2 bedroom units for $3,000 to $3,600, depending on the neighbourhood and finish level. Many owners use the rental income to cover the financing payment on the build.
No. A coach home is built in the backyard or over the lane while you keep living in the main house. Site fencing keeps the work zone separate. Expect some noise during framing and excavation, but your day-to-day routine stays intact.
Plan on 12 to 18 months from first meeting to occupancy: 3 to 6 months for design and permits depending on your municipality, then 8 to 12 months of construction. We give you a dated schedule before construction starts.
Yes. Roughly half of the coach homes we discuss are for aging parents or adult children rather than tenants. Same process, same cost structure, and the rental option stays open if your plans change later.
Find Out If Your Lot Qualifies
One free consult tells you whether your property can hold a coach home, what it would cost, and what it could rent for. Twenty minutes, no obligation.
Get My Free Feasibility Consult