Planning

Deciding to build is a powerful moment, and a lot has to happen between that decision and getting your keys. Our planning process is built to make every step ahead clear, calm and honest, so you walk into construction with full confidence in the plan, the budget and the team behind it.

What does the planning phase of a custom home actually cover?

Planning covers everything between deciding to build and construction start: lot feasibility, budget setting, architect coordination, drawing development, engineering, and the full permit submission. Icon Projects runs this phase before construction begins so the budget, the design, and the permit package are aligned before a shovel touches the ground. Skipping or rushing planning is the most common reason a project runs over budget once construction starts.

How long does the planning phase take before construction starts?

Planning duration depends on lot complexity and design scope, a straightforward flat-lot project moves faster than a hillside site with a geotechnical report or a heritage character home. The phase includes budget setting, design development with the architect, engineering, and permit submission, and the City of Burnaby's own review time sits inside that window. We give a realistic range once we understand your lot and scope, not before.

Do I need an architect before I call Icon Projects?

No. Most clients come to us before an architect is chosen. We connect you with a residential architect or designer suited to your project and lot, then coordinate design and engineering through permitting. If you already have an architect, we work with them directly and manage the permit submission either way.

How does Icon Projects set a realistic budget during planning?

We set a number with you up front based on your priorities, the lot, the structure, and the finish level, and we flag where spending creates real value versus where it's safe to save. This conversation happens at the start of planning, before design choices multiply, because adjusting a budget mid-design is far more disruptive than setting it correctly from day one.

What happens if my budget and design vision don't match during planning?

We don't simply say no. When budget and ambition diverge, we propose trade-offs, phasing, or design alternatives that get you as close to the original vision as the numbers allow, without compromising structural integrity or code compliance. This is worked through during planning, before drawings are finalized for permit.

Does Icon Projects handle the building permit submission?

Yes. Planning includes preparing and submitting the full permit package to the relevant municipality. For Burnaby projects that means the digital-only submission through the My Permits Portal, including architectural drawings, engineering reports, and energy compliance documentation. We manage this so you are not coordinating separate consultants yourself.

Can the planning phase reveal that a lot isn't buildable as hoped?

Yes, and that is part of the value of doing this work properly. Feasibility review during planning can surface zoning limits, setback constraints, or site conditions that change what fits on a lot. Finding this out during planning, before drawings are far along, is far less costly than discovering it after permit submission.

Will I get regular updates during the planning phase?

Yes. You get updates at every stage of planning, not only when there is a problem to report. Questions get answered, decisions get documented, and any shift in timeline comes with a clear explanation, so you stay informed and in control of the project from the first planning call onward.