Basement Suite Builder Burnaby
Legal basement suites built to Burnaby code — permits handled, inspections passed, rental income unlocked.
CoreVal Homes is a BC Housing-certified builder serving Burnaby homeowners under the R1 SSMUH framework.
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Metro Vancouver
Good news for Burnaby homeowners: R1 SSMUH (Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing) zoning now allows secondary suites on most Burnaby single-family lots — even if your property was not previously eligible. If your lot qualifies under R1 SSMUH, CoreVal can build your legal suite with full municipal compliance.
Not sure if your Burnaby lot qualifies? Book a free site visit and we will confirm your eligibility, review the zoning requirements, and walk you through your options.
Burnaby Basement Suite Requirements — What the City Actually Requires
Burnaby has its own set of secondary suite requirements that differ in important ways from Vancouver and other Metro Vancouver municipalities. Understanding the specific Burnaby requirements before starting design saves significant time and cost.
Based on City of Burnaby Secondary Suite Bylaw as of 2026. See the City of Burnaby Secondary Suite information ↗ for the current official bylaw. Requirements are subject to change — confirm before proceeding.
How We Build Your Burnaby Basement Suite
Site Visit
We assess your basement — ceiling height, structural elements, plumbing access, and egress window locations.
Design
Our team produces architectural drawings that meet Burnaby building bylaw requirements and your layout goals.
Permits
We submit to the City of Burnaby and manage all follow-up with the building department until approval.
Build
Framing, plumbing, electrical, insulation, drywall, flooring, and fixtures — all CoreVal trades, no subcontractor chaos.
Inspection
We coordinate all required inspections and ensure your suite receives final occupancy sign-off.
Burnaby Basement Suite Costs — 2026 Market Data
Burnaby construction costs track closely with the broader Metro Vancouver market. The ranges below reflect current Burnaby-specific conditions, including the Engineering Pre-Application step which is unique to Burnaby.
| Scenario | Description | Burnaby Market Range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard conversion | Existing basement, standard ceiling height, basic finishes | $80,000–$125,000 |
| Mid-range conversion | New kitchen/bath layout, better finishes, electrical upgrade | $110,000–$165,000 |
| Full excavation required | Below-grade ceiling height requires underpinning to achieve legal height | $145,000–$230,000 |
| New suite (unfinished basement) | Starting from concrete slab, no existing finishes | $90,000–$140,000 |
Burnaby construction market rates as of 2026. Engineering Pre-Application fee (~$800) and building permit fees (~$4,000–$8,000) are additional. Ranges exclude site-specific costs such as panel upgrades.
Burnaby Rental Market — What Your Suite Can Earn
Burnaby’s rental market is among the strongest in Metro Vancouver, supported by SkyTrain access, proximity to SFU and BCIT, and a consistently low vacancy rate.
Burnaby vs Vancouver — Secondary Suite Rules Compared
The two municipalities share many standards but differ in key ways that affect both timeline and total project cost. If you are considering a suite on a property near the Vancouver–Burnaby border, confirming which municipality applies is the first step.
| Requirement | City of Vancouver | City of Burnaby |
|---|---|---|
| Min. ceiling height | 1.9m (6'3") | 1.95m (6'5") |
| Engineering pre-application | Not required | Required (4–8 weeks, ~$800) |
| Permit timeline | 8–14 weeks | 10–16 weeks (incl. pre-app) |
| Parking requirement | Not required | 1 space required |
| SSMUH applicability | Yes (since 2024) | Yes (since 2024) |
| Max suite size | No fixed ratio | 40% of principal floor area or 90 sq m |
| Fire separation | 1-hour (Type X drywall) | 45-minute minimum |
Based on publicly available municipal bylaws as of 2026. Confirm current requirements with your municipality before proceeding. Requirements are subject to change.
Start with a Free Burnaby Site Visit
We will visit your property, confirm zoning eligibility under Burnaby SSMUH rules, and give you a realistic cost estimate — at no charge, no obligation.
Book a Free Burnaby Site VisitBurnaby Basement Suite FAQs
Do I need a permit for a basement suite in Burnaby?
Yes. Burnaby requires a building permit for any secondary suite, including basement conversions. The permit process covers suite size, ceiling heights, egress windows, fire separation, and plumbing. CoreVal handles all Burnaby permit submissions and inspections — you don't need to deal with City Hall.
How much does a basement suite cost in Burnaby?
Basement suite costs in Burnaby typically range from $85,000–$175,000 depending on existing conditions (ceiling height, plumbing rough-ins, access), suite size, and finish level. CoreVal provides a detailed cost estimate after a free on-site assessment — no guesswork, no surprises.
Does my Burnaby basement already meet the ceiling height requirement?
The minimum is 1.95m (6'5") throughout habitable areas. Most Burnaby homes built before 1990 have basements ranging from 1.8m to 2.0m — it varies house to house and even within the same basement. The Engineering Pre-Application phase and a builder's site visit will confirm your ceiling height and whether underpinning (excavating to lower the floor) is needed. Underpinning adds $40,000–$80,000 to the project but makes previously unusable basements eligible.
What is Burnaby's Engineering Pre-Application and why does it matter?
The Engineering Pre-Application is a mandatory City of Burnaby review confirming your property's drainage, sewer, and water capacity can support an additional dwelling unit. Without this approval, a building permit application will be refused. The Pre-Application typically takes 4–8 weeks and costs $500–$1,200 in City fees. A builder familiar with Burnaby's process will submit this immediately after your site visit — not at the end of the design phase. Delaying it is the single most common cause of project timeline extensions in Burnaby.
Can I convert my attached garage into a basement suite in Burnaby?
Not directly as a 'basement suite' — but Burnaby does permit garage conversions as secondary suites in some circumstances, subject to R1 SSMUH zoning rules and engineering review. The key considerations are whether the garage is at-grade or below-grade, whether the ceiling height is sufficient, and whether the unit can achieve a separate entrance without passing through the garage access into the primary home. An on-site assessment is required to determine feasibility.
How does BC's SSMUH legislation affect my options in Burnaby?
BC's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation, fully in effect as of 2024, requires all Metro Vancouver municipalities — including Burnaby — to permit at least one secondary suite on any single-family or duplex lot. This means properties that were previously in zones that did not allow suites are now eligible. If you were told you could not build a suite before 2024, your eligibility has very likely changed. A site visit and zoning confirmation with a licensed builder will clarify your current options under the updated Burnaby R1 SSMUH framework.