DIY vs. Professional Building Permits in BC
Handle front-end permit legwork to save money in BC. Explore our guides to know what you can DIY and where building code compliance and liability begin.
"Radical transparency: handle the front-end legwork to eliminate markups, and bring in specialists when code compliance and municipal liability demand it."
DIY Municipal Online Applications
Save third-party administrative markups by uploading your permit-ready PDF sets directly into Vancouver ePlan, Surrey MyCity, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
- Digital portal registration & setup
- Standard municipal PDF naming conventions
- Responding to plan checker deficiency letters
DIY As-Built Measuring & Floor Plans
Understand when a simple tape measure or phone app is sufficient vs. when high-accuracy 3D LiDAR point cloud scanning is mandatory for city hall.
- Hand-measuring simple single rooms
- Preventing cumulative measuring errors
- 3D LiDAR scans & CAD baseline drafting
DIY Home Renovations & Suites
Learn what homeowners can DIY during basement suite conversions, additions, and layout updates vs. mandatory ULC drywall assemblies and Step Code rules.
- Historical record retrieval & wishlists
- Secondary suite fire & sound separations
- Open-to-below ceiling infill traps
DIY Commercial Tenant Improvements
Save thousands on front-end lease checks and municipal research without triggering costly occupant load, egress corridor, or Change of Use violations.
- Occupant load math & washroom counts
- Exit travel distances & corridor widths
- Part 3 vs Part 9 classifications
DIY Custom Homes & Multiplexes
Navigate single-family homes, laneways, and Bill 44 SSMUH multiplexes. Learn where conceptual planning ends and 3D average grade math begins.
- BCLS legal surveys vs house plot plans
- 3D building envelope & height calculations
- Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) rules
DIY Stop Work Order Resolution
Built without a permit or bought 'as-is'? Learn the immediate DIY triage steps to halt fines, request municipal records, and prepare for retroactive drafting.
- Immediate site stoppage & penalty freeze
- Requesting city inspection deficiency reports
- City archive blueprint retrieval & photo logging
Let's Build Something Great
Fill out the form below for a free feasibility study. We'll determine if your project is feasible and provide you with a clear, upfront quote.
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Your City, Our Expertise
Each municipality has its own bylaws, quirks, and submission preferences. We've worked with them all — and we know what each one wants before you even apply.
Is your city not listed? Contact us to learn if we serve your area!