Builder Comparison
Icon Projects vs Major Homes
Major Homes and Icon Projects are both long-established Greater Vancouver custom home builders with integrated teams. The key differences are in positioning — artisanal craft vs. integrated real estate services — and CHBA credential level.
Editorial note: This page is written by Icon Projects — one of the two builders being compared. Competitor information was verified against publicly available sources in May 2026. We've tried to represent both firms fairly, including acknowledging where competitors have advantages we don't. If you spot an error, let us know.
About Major Homes
Who they are.
Major Homes Ltd. has been building in the Lower Mainland since 2002 and positions itself on three generations of building experience. They've delivered 150+ homes, won CHBA National Awards and Georgie Awards, and hold Built Green Canada certification — a meaningful signal for energy-efficient construction. A distinctive differentiator is their in-house real estate services: they can help clients with lot acquisition and pre-sale positioning alongside the build. Their service area is broad, covering Surrey, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, West Vancouver, Coquitlam and White Rock.
What they do well
- Three-generation company with a 150+ home portfolio
- CHBA National Awards and Georgie Award wins
- Built Green Canada certification — meaningful energy-efficiency credential
- Unique in-house real estate services for lot acquisition and pre-sale
- Virtual walk-throughs integrated into their design process
Where they're limited
- CHBA member but CHBA Master Residential Builder designation not listed
- Positioning centres on business integration (real estate services, budget transparency) rather than design fidelity or finishing craft
- Design-build claims are present but their design integration model is less clearly defined than a true in-house architect setup
- Less visible multiplex / SSMUH track record despite broad geographic coverage
If you want to verify this independently, visit Major Homes's website and make your own assessment.
Side-by-side
Feature comparison.
Based on publicly available information from both companies' websites. Unknown or unverifiable items are marked with —.
| Feature | Icon Projects | Major Homes |
|---|---|---|
| CHBA Master Residential Builder designation Major Homes is a CHBA award winner and member, but the MRB is not listed | ||
| Built Green Canada certification Major Homes holds Built Green; Icon builds to high-performance standards but does not hold this specific certification | ||
| In-house real estate services (lot / pre-sale) A genuine differentiator for buyers who want end-to-end real estate support | ||
| Multiplex / multi-family construction Not prominently featured on Major Homes site | ||
| Pre-construction services agreement process Not publicly described on Major Homes site | ||
| Heritage renovation Major Homes focuses on new construction | ||
| CHBA National Awards recognition | ||
| BC Housing Residential Builder licence | ||
| Service area: Surrey / Langley / Maple Ridge Icon's area covers Vancouver, Burnaby, the North Shore, Richmond and the Tri-Cities |
Yes No Unknown / not publicly stated
How they work
Process comparison.
How each builder structures the client relationship from first call to warranty — based on publicly available information.
| Stage | Icon Projects | Major Homes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial discovery | Pre-construction services agreement (PSA) — scoped feasibility, budget and permit review before construction documents | Consultation process includes lot acquisition and real estate services if needed — a distinct differentiator |
| Design phase | In-house design team integrated with construction from the outset | Design-build claims are present; the degree of in-house design integration is not publicly detailed |
| Permit & approvals | Permit coordination handled within the same team managing construction | Permit management not publicly described; lot acquisition services suggest familiarity with municipal processes |
| Construction | Single relationship for design, permits and construction across 10 Lower Mainland municipalities | Virtual walk-throughs integrated into the process; three-generation company with 150+ home portfolio |
| Warranty | 2-5-10 BC Home Warranty through approved provider | BC Housing Residential Builder licence held; specific warranty provider not listed on site |
Project fit
Who fits which project?
Match your project's signals to the builder most likely to be a natural fit.
| If you need… | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Want lot acquisition and pre-sale services bundled with construction Major Homes' in-house real estate services are a genuine differentiator | Major Homes |
| Project in Surrey, Langley or Maple Ridge These are Major Homes' home markets; Icon serves north of the Fraser primarily | Major Homes |
| Multiplex or heritage renovation Icon has active multiplex and heritage portfolios; Major Homes focuses on new single-family | Icon |
| Want Built Green Canada certification Major Homes holds Built Green; Icon builds to high-performance standards without this specific cert | Major Homes |
| Want the highest CHBA credential tier (MRB) Icon holds Master Residential Builder; Major Homes is a CHBA award winner and member | Icon |
| Need formal pre-construction scope and budget agreement Icon's PSA process is documented; Major Homes' equivalent is not publicly described | Icon |
| Long operating history matters Major Homes founded 2002, Icon Projects founded 2004 — both have 20+ year track records | Either |
Icon Projects
Where we're strong.
- CHBA Master Residential Builder — the highest peer-validated designation in Canadian residential construction
- Builds to the architect's drawings, not to general-contracting efficiency — finishing carpentry and millwork held to a documented tolerance, checked at pre-drywall and final
- Pre-construction services agreement (PSA) standard: scope, budget and permit coordination before construction begins
- Multiplex and multi-family construction as a named service with an active portfolio
- 20+ years specific to Greater Vancouver's permit environment, hillside conditions and Energy Step Code requirements
Which builder fits?
Choose based on your project.
Choose Major Homes if…
You want bundled real estate services — lot sourcing and pre-sale positioning alongside construction; or your project is in Surrey, Langley or Maple Ridge, which Major Homes covers and Icon doesn't.
Choose Icon Projects if…
Builder-led project oversight is the primary criterion; your project requires a formal pre-construction planning phase; you're building a multiplex or heritage renovation; or you want the CHBA Master Residential Builder credential tier.
Common Questions
What owners ask.
What makes Major Homes different from Icon Projects?+
Major Homes differentiates on business integration — they have in-house real estate services (lot sourcing, pre-sale) alongside construction, and a Built Green Canada certification. Icon Projects differentiates on builder-led project oversight (Sanj on every site through handover), the CHBA Master Residential Builder designation, and an explicit pre-construction services agreement process. Both are established firms with long operating histories.
Does Major Homes build multiplexes?+
Their website and visible portfolio are focused on single-family and semi-detached custom homes. Icon Projects builds multiplex developments as a named core service across the Lower Mainland.
Is Built Green Canada certification important?+
Built Green Canada is a legitimate third-party energy-efficiency certification. It signals the builder meets a defined performance threshold and follows verified construction practices. Major Homes holds this certification. Icon Projects builds to high-performance standards but does not hold Built Green specifically — if third-party energy certification is a priority for your project, it's worth asking both firms about their energy compliance pathway and what Step Code level they target.
How long have each of these builders been operating?+
Icon Projects was founded in 2004 and has been building in Greater Vancouver for over 20 years. Major Homes was founded in 2002. Both have long enough operating histories to have navigated multiple permit environments, construction market cycles and material disruptions — which is the relevant test, not just a founding date.
Continue researching
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Icon vs
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Related reading
What to check before you choose any builder.
Our builder selection guide covers credential checks, the 12 questions to ask before signing, and what a pre-construction services agreement actually covers — regardless of which builder you choose.
Read the Builder Selection GuideReady to talk?
Interview us the same way you'd interview anyone.
Ask for our BC Housing licence number, our warranty provider, and five client references from homes at least three years old. We'll answer all three — and then let's talk about your project.