Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Building a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make — and you
deserve straight answers before you start. Below are the questions we hear most from homeowners, investors, and landowners across the Lower Mainland. Don’t see yours? Book a Consultation and ask us directly.
Building Starts Here
Getting Started
We build across the Vancouver Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, including Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, Langley, White Rock, and Abbotsford. If you're just outside these areas, reach out — we take on select projects throughout the region.
We specialize in residential construction and development: custom homes, laneway homes and garden suites, duplexes, multiplexes and SSMUH projects, major home renovations, and legal suites. We also work with landowners and investors on residential redevelopment from feasibility through to completion. For commercial projects and tenant improvements, visit our sister company, Quila Contracting.
No. We're a design-build company, which means we can manage the entire process — architectural drawings, engineering, permits, and construction — under one roof, with one point of contact. If you already have plans, we're happy to price and build from them too.
Yes. Your first consultation is free and comes with no obligation. We'll discuss your goals, review your property's potential, and give you an honest assessment of budget range, timeline, and next steps.
Yes. Weaver Homes is a Licensed Residential Builder in British Columbia. All new homes we build are enrolled in home warranty insurance as required under BC's Homeowner Protection Act, and we carry full liability coverage and WorkSafeBC registration.
Understanding Your Project Costs
Costs & Budget
Every Step, Clearly Planned
Timelines & Process
Most custom homes take 10–16 months of construction, depending on size and complexity. Before that, allow 4–8 months for design, engineering, and permits (varies by municipality). At the proposal stage, we give you a written schedule — and we build our reputation on hitting it.
Five steps: Discovery (your goals, lifestyle, and budget), Site & Feasibility Review (lot, zoning, and development potential), Budget & Timeline (a clear written proposal), Construction (built with precision and weekly communication), and Handover & Warranty (a finished home, a full walkthrough, and ongoing warranty support).
You'll have one dedicated point of contact and receive scheduled progress updates every week — photos, completed milestones, upcoming work, and any decisions needed from you. You'll never have to chase us for information.
Yes — through our change-order process. We'll price the change, show you the schedule impact, and proceed only with your written approval. This keeps you in control of both budget and timeline.
It depends on the scope. For kitchen, bathroom, or single area renovations, many clients stay in the home and we phase the work to minimize disruption. For whole-home renovations or structural work, moving out temporarily is usually faster, safer, and less expensive overall. We'll give you an honest recommendation during planning.
It depends on size, design complexity, site conditions, and finish level — which is why we don't quote a one-size fits-all number. As a general guide, most custom homes in the Lower Mainland fall within a defined per-square-foot range that we confirm in writing after a site visit and design review. During your consultation, we'll give you a realistic budget range for your specific project before you commit to anything.
Three ways. First, detailed upfront estimating — we price the project thoroughly before construction begins, not as we go. Second, transparent contracts with clear allowances, so you know exactly what's included. Third, a formal change-order process — nothing changes in scope or cost without your written approval. No surprises is a core promise, not a slogan.
Both. A fixed-price contract gives you cost certainty; a cost-plus contract gives you full transparency on actual costs plus a set fee, with more flexibility during the build. We'll explain the pros and cons of each and recommend the right structure for your project and risk tolerance.
Payments follow a milestone based draw schedule tied to construction progress — for
example: foundation, framing, lock-up, drywall, and completion. You only pay as work is completed. If you're using construction financing, we align our draw schedule with your lender's requirements and provide the documentation they need.
Yes. We work regularly with mortgage brokers and lenders who specialize in construction loans, and we can connect you with trusted financing partners. We also prepare the budgets, schedules, and progress reports lenders require — which makes your approval and draw process significantly smoother.
Modern Multi-Unit Living Solutions
Laneway Homes, Duplexes & SSMUH
SSMUH (Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing) is provincial legislation that requires most BC municipalities to allow 3–6 units on lots previously zoned single-family. In practical terms: your single-family lot may now support a duplex, triplex, fourplex, or more — dramatically increasing what your land is worth and what you can build on it. We offer a free feasibility review to show you exactly what your lot allows.
Most Lower Mainland municipalities now permit laneway homes or garden suites, but eligibility depends on your lot size, access, and municipal rules. We confirm eligibility during your site review — and handle the design, permits, and construction end to end.
For many owners, yes. A laneway home can generate strong rental income while adding significant resale value. A duplex or multiplex build under SSMUH can transform a single lot into a multi-unit income property or allow multi-generational family living. During feasibility, we'll walk you through realistic construction costs, rental potential, and value uplift so you can make the decision with real numbers — not guesses.
Absolutely. This is one of the most valuable things we do. We'll assess your zoning and SSMUH potential, outline your build options (laneway, duplex, multiplex, or full redevelopment), estimate costs and returns for each, and help you choose the path that fits your goals — whether that's family living, rental income, or resale profit.
Yes, regularly. Investors rely on us for duplex, multiplex, and spec builds delivered on time and on budget with full financial transparency. Realtors partner with us to evaluate development potential for their clients' properties and refer clients who need a builder they can trust. If you're a realtor or investor, ask about our partnership program.
Your Project, Fully Protected
Permits, Legal & Warranty
Yes — all of it. We coordinate architectural drawings, engineering, energy compliance (BC Energy Step Code), and building permit applications, and we deal with the municipality on your behalf through inspections and approvals. Navigating city hall is our job, not yours.
Every new home we build is covered by BC's mandatory 2-5 10 home warranty insurance: 2
years on labour and materials, 5 years on the building envelope, and 10 years on structure. Beyond the insurance, we stand behind our work — if something needs attention after handover, we respond.
Renovations are covered by our workmanship warranty, and all products and materials carry their manufacturers' warranties. We'll put warranty terms in writing in your contract so there's no ambiguity
Yes. Every trade on a Weaver Homes site is vetted, carries appropriate insurance, and is registered with WorkSafeBC. Site safety and quality control are managed by our project team with regular inspections at every stage.
We plan so it doesn't — but construction is complex, and honest builders plan for contingencies. Our contracts include clear processes for schedule delays, hidden site conditions, and disputes, and our communication rhythm means you hear about issues from us first, along with our plan to resolve them. That's what "no surprises" actually means
Questions
Still have questions?
Every project is different — and the best answers come from a conversation about
yours. Book a free, no-obligation consultation and get straight answers about your property,
your budget, and your options.