Building in Surrey

Surrey is BC's fastest-growing city and set a record in 2024 for housing permits. From luxury custom homes in South Surrey to urban development near SkyTrain stations there's significant building activity across diverse neighbourhoods.

Contact Us Today

We’re a Certified Licensed Home Builder with BC Housing, trusted across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for quality craftsmanship and transparent service.

What to Know About Building in Surrey

Surrey covers a massive area with dramatically different neighbourhoods. South Surrey including Morgan Creek Ocean Park and Crescent Beach has a distinct premium character—waterfront properties estate homes and West Coast luxury builds. The city set a record in 2024 issuing permits for nearly 6300 new homes representing over $2.8 billion in construction.

The municipal government has actively streamlined permitting including online submissions real-time status updates and a Certified Professional Program that can expedite approvals. Building permits expire 6 months after issuance so timing matters. Transit-oriented development incentives offer 50% reduction in permit fees for projects within 1.5km of SkyTrain stations or RapidBus routes.

Local Considerations and Challenges

Surrey's size means neighbourhood character varies enormously. South Surrey commands premium prices with Morgan Creek offering mountain views and golf course proximity Ocean Park and Crescent Beach providing oceanfront and near-ocean living and Elgin Chantrell featuring acreage estates. These areas attract very different clients than Newton or Whalley.

The city has been proactive on provincial housing legislation with updated zoning for small-scale multi-unit housing and transit-oriented areas. Tree bylaws stormwater management requirements and specific engineering standards apply. Some areas require gravity storm service connections for basements. The Certified Professional Program lets qualified professionals verify code compliance which can significantly speed approvals for appropriate projects.

Cost of Building in Surrey

South Surrey commands premium prices comparable to Vancouver's west side—luxury custom builds in Morgan Creek or oceanfront in Crescent Beach can exceed $3-5M+. Other Surrey neighbourhoods offer more accessible entry points.

The city's transit-oriented incentives can reduce permit fees by 50% for qualifying projects which adds up on larger builds. Land costs vary dramatically by neighbourhood—Hazelmere offers more rural acreage while Grandview Corners has urban density. Standard BC Building Code applies without Vancouver's elevated step code adding costs.

What our client say

Read More Reviews
I cannot say enough good things about the working with Vibe Design Build. They carefully listened to our vision and designed solutions customized for our lifestyle and our needs, all within our budget. Extremely professional from the consultation to the completion.
Carolyn Marine
Home Owner
I suggest Vibe Design Build, more specifically if you want custom work completed. They carried out our vision perfectly, often got in touch with us and managed to do the renovations within time frame as well while staying on budget. The team members are very educated and highly trusted. Their work is simply fabulous!
Brad Hays
Home Owner
With the help of Vibe Design Build, we managed to transform traditional-looking spaces into modern and functional parts loved by our entire family. From the kitchen and bathrooms onward, in all aspects of the media room and recreation rooms, they consistently exceeded expectations. Two thumbs up!
James Landry
Home Owner
I want to mention that Vibe Design Build did a great job with our kitchen remodel. They have been part and parcel of our budget offering us creative designs and finishes. Professionalism was highly vested in both the project managers and contractors and they were a fun-loving team. Very satisfied with the end product.
Jorge Cross
Home Owner
Working with Vibe Design Build on our home renovation in Vancouver was an absolute pleasure. The team's creativity from idea generation to finalization was commendable. Their use of modern 3D rendering technology allowed us, as clients, to visualize our future home with clarity. It was a fantastic experience overall!
Peter Adams
Home Owner
Vibe Design Build streamlined our entire home renovation project. Their team provided expert guidance in design choices and ensured sensible deadlines were met. The crew was knowledgeable, polite, and maintained a tidy workspace. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Highly recommend!
Herbert Jolly
Home Owner
From initial design concepts to the final touches, Vibe Design Build exceeded all our expectations with their professionalism and top-notch craftsmanship throughout our renovation. It was a seamless, end-to-end quality experience. True to its name, Vibe transformed our house from drab to fab.
Trula Brink
Home Owner
In the previous week, the best choice was made by family members and me to hire Vibe Design Build for our home renovation. We held job interviews with several companies and Vibe has proven to be the latter of what we are looking for. Not only the drawings which they provided were so much elegant, but they were also customized to our requirements. The expert teams successfully accomplished the mission which was really tough to implement We all just witnessed our dream to be a reality. At every stage: from the first consultation to the stage performance, the process came to me as a unique manner. I Wholeheartedly endorse Vibe Design Build as the best choice for your renovations because of their carefree and top-notch service.
Fred Lugard
Home Owner
The designers were very professional because both their drawings were intricate and they inclined toward our desires. The specialist crews combined evoking our dreams and turning them into a charming atmosphere. Since the first contact into the post-walk through scene every step was something personal. You may find Vibe Design Build to be your perfect match whether you are an amateur or an experienced renovator aiming for a stress-free and flawless journey.
Joseph Hubbard
Home Owner
After interviewing many contractors for our bathroom remodel, I decided to proceed with Vibe Design Build because my choice was made in terms of their detail consciousness and excellent reviews. And the results are fantastic. The work is completed right on time, very professional and of course exceeding our expectations. Indeed, they should to the people demanding superb service.
Melissa McKee
Home Owner
We're absolutely thrilled with the incredible transformation that Vibe Design Build brought to our Vancouver home. From the initial planning stages to the flawless execution, they surpassed our lofty expectations every step of the way. Our house has transcended from a mere dwelling into a true embodiment of our dreams and aspirations. Hats off to the entire team for their outstanding work!
Elena Foster
Home Owner
It sounds like Vibe Design Build truly delivered exceptional service and exceeded your expectations during your home renovation project. Their ability to creatively solve problems while maintaining high standards and keeping costs in check is commendable. It's great to hear that you now have a beautiful and functional home to enjoy for years to come thanks to their expertise. If you ever need further assistance or recommendations in the future, feel free to ask!
Gezephi Buthelezi
Home Owner
It sounds like you made a well-informed decision in choosing Vibe Design Build for your home renovation project. Finding a contractor who aligns with your vision and has the necessary skills and expertise is crucial for the success of any renovation endeavor. It's great to hear that Vibe Design Build stood out during the interview process and ultimately proved to be the perfect fit for your family's needs. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
George Koontz
Home Owner
Our kitchen needed some renovations and Vibe Design Build did a beautiful job. They started with a revision to the layout which included a beautiful design, then suggested we put in modern appliances, custom cabinets, and a big island. Now the room is great for cooking and having people over. They paid great attention to detail and were very good at planning and execution.
Dana Colton
Home Owner
Since using Vibe Design Build, our basement has become a fantastic game room. Along with inviting seats, they installed a bar and a pool table. For gatherings of all kinds, it has become the place to be. I am astounded by their ingenuity and professionalism. I would recommend it without hesitation.
Pearl Scroggins
Home Owner

Who's Building in Surrey

South Surrey attracts affluent families seeking estate-style living—larger lots quality craftsmanship West Coast design. Morgan Creek draws buyers wanting mountain views and golf course proximity. Ocean Park and Crescent Beach appeal to those seeking oceanfront lifestyle. These clients expect high-end finishes and are building dream homes.

Other Surrey neighbourhoods attract more diverse buyers—young families seeking value investors developing near transit first-time builders looking for opportunity. The city's rapid growth means significant new construction activity alongside renovation of existing homes as neighbourhoods evolve. Surrey also has BC's largest over-60 population in South Surrey—retirees seeking quality townhomes and low-maintenance living.

FAQs

How long do permits take in Surrey?

Surrey has been actively streamlining permits and set records for approvals in 2024. Timelines vary by project complexity but the city offers online tracking and various programs to expedite qualified applications. Building permits expire 6 months after issuance.

Is South Surrey different from the rest of Surrey?

Significantly. South Surrey—including Morgan Creek Ocean Park Crescent Beach and Elgin Chantrell—has a premium character more similar to Vancouver's west side than other Surrey neighbourhoods. Expect higher land values more custom builds and clients with higher-end expectations.

What neighbourhoods are best for custom homes in Surrey?

South Surrey dominates for custom builds. Morgan Creek offers mountain views and golf course proximity. Ocean Park and Crescent Beach provide ocean access and established character. Elgin Chantrell has acreage estates. Grandview Heights is newer with contemporary development.

Are there permit fee incentives in Surrey?

Yes. The Rapid Transit Development Incentive Program offers 50% reduction in building permit fees for projects within 1.5km of SkyTrain stations or RapidBus routes. This applied to nearly 2400 homes permitted in 2024.

What building codes apply in Surrey?

Surrey follows standard BC Building Code. The 2024 BC Building Code is now in effect. The city provides bulletins on energy step code requirements for various building types. No elevated step code like Vancouver.