Crafting Laneway Dreams, Building Your Future

Expert Laneway Home Construction Across the Lower Mainland

Nicons, with a rich history of over two decades in the Lower Mainland, is your trusted partner in making your laneway home vision a reality. Our passion for precision and dedication to excellence have positioned us as a top-tier general contractor in the region. When it comes to laneway home construction, we are unwavering in our commitment to bringing your dreams to life. From innovative design concepts to the finest finishing touches, our team's expertise shines through in every aspect. Step into the limitless world of laneway living with Nicons, where your dreams meet exceptional quality.

A Wonderful experience working with Nicons Enterprises. Ian is very professional, knowledgeable, and patient when addressing our questions. I would highly recommend Ian and his company for your next renovation.

SM
Andrew Chen

Our project involved building a laneway house as well as a full renovation of our main house's basement. Because of our busy lives we had to rely on Ian to manage everything and the results were outstanding.

PO
Patrick Obergfell

We had some major repairs done some time back and were very pleased with the outcome. Ian was very responsive to our needs and shown professionalism.

SM
Surrey Mitsubishi Manager
The view looking out on the patio of a custom laneway house.

What is a laneway home?

Laneway houses have been around for centuries, and their popularity is on the rise once again. So what are they, and why are they called laneway houses?

A laneway house is a small, detached dwelling that is typically located in the rear or side yards of a property. They are typically one or two storeys high, and are often used as secondary accommodation for extended family, or as a rental property.

Laneway houses can be a great way to add value to your property, as they are typically less expensive to build than a traditional house. They are also a great way to maximize the use of your property, by using space that would otherwise go unused.

Laneway houses got their name from their traditional location – in the laneways of larger properties. In days gone by, laneways were used to provide access to the rear of properties, where the stables and other outbuildings were located. With the advent of the automobile, laneways fell out of favour, and many were paved over and turned into parking lots.

But with the renewed interest in laneway houses, many of these old laneways are being reclaimed, and are now being used as the location for laneway houses.

Laneway Home Requirements & Costs

Building a laneway home will definitely be cheaper than building a custom home. Discover the requirements and the costs to build a laneway home on your lot.

The cost of building a laneway home in British Columbia can vary depending on the size and style of home you choose. Generally, a small, simple laneway home will cost between $380,000 and $400,000. A more luxurious or custom-built laneway home could cost upwards of $500,000.

  • RS-1 and RS-5 Single Family areas
  • Lots 33’ wide and wider with an open lane, on a double fronting street or on a corner with a lane dedication
  • A unit within the area on the rear 26’ of the lot with a minimum 16’ separation between the laneway home and the main house
  • Rental or Family only no strata-titled
  • Minimum of one on-site parking space
  • Unit size will be based on the lot size with a maximum of 750-900 sq ft
  • 1 and 1 1⁄2 storey configurations are accepted

There are several factors that will affect the cost of your laneway house, including:

  • The size of the lot
  • The location of the lot (inner city lots will be more expensive than suburban or rural lots)
  • The zoning regulations in your municipality
  • Whether you need to do any excavation or grading work on your property
  • The type of foundation you choose (slab, crawl space, or basement)
  • The type of construction you choose (stick frame, log frame, straw bale, etc.)
  • The finishes and fixtures you select for your home
A home builder and general contractor assessing progress on a custom house.
what we build

Over 50+ satisfied clients

We've done many projects so far. From renovations and home additions, all the way to custom home and laneway house. Learn what it takes to build or renovate your house in Vancouver, Richmond, Langley or any major Lower Mainland cities, British Columbia

services we provide

Custom Home Builder & Home Renovation Company in

Vancouver

See all the services we provide, whether it's an interior design, vision consultation, or architectural drawings - we have your expectations and construction fully covered.

Free "dream home" consultation

We do provide a free 30 minutes consultation call where we discuss what mistakes you need to avoid when building your custom home. This quick call helps you to answer any question you have on process, vision, construction, and most importantly - the cost associated to build houses in Vancouver BC and Lower Mainland.

Design & Vision

Picking the best kitchen set, thrill the interior design, or come up with the best garden ideas is always a priority in any custom home projects. We've all been there. Searching for hours on Google and Pinterest. At Nicons, we help you find the best materials, the most reliable supplier, and a good price for a dream home design you always wanted.

Architectural Drawings

A custom home builder in Vancouver (like us) will always work with a licensed architect to create and build houses that last for generations. Whether you're looking for a home renovation, a laneway home, or a custom home - we do have in-house architects ready to outline your new home plans, while keeping the construction costs down.

Planning & Budgeting

Custom homes always require thinking from ground up. Every single aspect of your house will resemble your way of living, the safety of your family, and that dream come true. Having a clear price is the first step into planning. Before building your new home, we take time to write down the entire process and detail that goes in.

Construction

Building homes is our biggest pride here. A custom home is always a great investment, especially if you want a place to live in, which you can truly call your own. A successful construction relies on responsive communication, trust, and professional management. At Nicons, we do our best to keep the site clean, always communicate with you, and deal with any challenge as a professional. We have a skilled crew ready to finish your house on time.

Get in touch with us

You don't have to start all alone. Our experts can help you avoid the most common mistakes when building a custom home or renovating it. Schedule a free consultation with us today.

Contact us now

We build your dream home that fits your budget. Get 2 years of material warranty and $5,000* back if we can’t deliver on time.

Get two years of material warranty and $5,000 back if we can't deliver on time.*

Book a FREE 30 minute consultation call with us today. We'll send you a free checklist you can follow to build your new home.