How much does it cost to build a house on Vancouver Island?

This is a very common question that is asked by most clients when they approach our team at Boehm Construction to build their custom home. There really isn’t a “one size fits all” answer to give; however, there are several key questions we ask to hone in on that number. Several factors will determine the cost per square foot of your new home. They are as follows:

What are the conditions of your site?

One of our favourite occurrences here at Boehm Construction is to be involved at the earliest stage possible, helping guide the home's design as it pertains to the building site. We often see clients coming to us with permit-ready designs that don’t lend themselves to the land on which they are being built. It is our philosophy to work with what the site has given us. Location, topography, setbacks and services all affect the overall cost and timeline of building your home. When we are involved in the design of your home, we take all of these factors into consideration to make sure the home and the land are working together and that the cost per square foot is kept in the client’s favour. Machinery access, geological make-up, services such as power poles, well and a septic system can all play a part in your overall cost considerations.

What type of home are you looking to have us build?

Some clients want a rancher home while others envision themselves living in a multi-storey house, but what exactly does that mean regarding cost per square foot? In a word, everything. People often assume that building a multi-storey home would be more expensive than a rancher of the same square footage, but the opposite is true. If you think of it in terms of footprint, you’ll see why. The cost associated with the foundation and roof system of a home is significant.

A 2000-square-foot rancher needs far more excavation, concrete, labour and a sprawling roof system than a 2000-square-foot multi-storey home whose footprint and roof are now half of the rancher. A two-story home allows for those costs to be shared, potentially offering even more square footage. There are good reasons to build either layout of the home, but it’s important to know the implications of that choice.

What size of home are you looking for?

When thinking in terms of cost per square foot, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean more $/sq. Feet. A 2000-square-foot home may run you $300 per square foot. At the same time, a 960-square-foot carriage home may cost you $340 per square foot. This is economy of scale working in reverse. The carriage home in this example has all the specifications of the larger home, such as a foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling, siding, etc. Sure, the 2000 sq. ft. home has larger rooms like bedrooms and living room, but the cost associated with the labour and materials of the room size does not always increase at the same rate.

What style of architecture speaks to you?

Whether you’re into modern, craftsman or farmhouse, one thing is clear; the more jogs or bump-outs you have in your walls, the more complex your roof lines are with dormers, peaks and valleys, the more costly your build becomes. There is a good reason this province is known for the “BC box” house, as the box is the most efficient shape to build. To be sure, Boehm Construction loves to design and build outside of the box, but we always make sure your design and budget are shaking hands.

What type of finishes do you envision?

Costs can fluctuate drastically depending on the finishing choices of your home. Choosing Hardie board siding over vinyl or a metal roof over shingles will swing the needle just as much as all the interior finishes, such as hardwood flooring, custom cabinets, high-end plumbing, and quartz counters…. you get the idea. Some of our clients want an efficient home where the budget leans heavily on top-quality insulation, solar panels, and smart technology, while other clients want to focus their budget on a spa-like bathroom, exposed beams and gorgeous millwork or even a swimming pool. We can build whatever you want, and we’ll always keep you apprised of the costs associated with your tastes!

What’s in your walls?

As far as cost per square foot is concerned, the inner workings of the home are certainly something to consider. Although not nearly as glamorous as, say, picking out tile or soaker tubs, these items will dictate how comfortable you are, year-round, in your home. The BC energy step code will change over the next few years as we approach our net zero-ready goal. How are you heating, cooling, and venting this house? There are many options and combinations ranging from a heat pump, furnace, electrical heat, wood stove, HRV, CRV, radiant floor heating….the list goes on. When Boehm Construction gets involved with the design of your home, we will work alongside trusted energy advisors to ensure your property and home are working as efficiently as possible and that your choice in the conditioning of your house makes sense.

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time! With so many details to consider, the idea of buying land and building a home on it seems daunting to even the most robust of hearts. We at Boehm Construction understand this and will work hard to lead you down the avenue of choices while always paying close attention to your budgetary requirements.

Yes, but still, how much does it cost per square foot to build a home these days, you ask? Ok, I’ll give you a ballpark answer—anywhere between $225 and $350 square feet. Suppose you are considering a 2000 square feet home that will land you somewhere between $450,000 and $700,000. This includes everything from “You’re hired” to “Here are the keys.” That’s a pretty big ballpark! This is why a custom home builder needs a little more info than simply the square footage of your home.

We at Boehm Construction pride ourselves on our tried-and-true process of building beautiful custom homes. We listen to your vision, add our years of experience, mix together creativity, inspiration and cutting-edge building techniques and design/build with the two most important metrics in mind; your budget and timeline. Wherever you are in your process, be it the dream stage or if you have a design in hand, reach out to us, and we will be happy to work with you to build that home you always wanted.