Renovation guides for Metro Vancouver homeowners and business owners
Plain answers to the questions that come up before a project starts: permits, sequencing, what to check before you sign, and where projects usually go wrong.
When does a renovation need a permit in BC?
Cosmetic work usually doesn't need a permit. Moving walls or touching plumbing, electrical, or gas usually does. Here's how to tell before you start demolition.
HiringHow to check a contractor before you hire
BC has no single general contractor licence for renovations, which surprises most homeowners. Here's what can actually be verified before you sign.
Basement suitesWhat makes a basement suite legal in BC
A legal basement suite must meet ceiling height, egress, entry, and fire separation rules. Fixing these after drywall is expensive.
RestaurantsRestaurant build-out: the order of work
A restaurant build-out is a permit and inspection project first and a design project second. Here is the sequence, and where openings get delayed.
CommercialCommercial lease: what to check before signing
Rent is the number people compare. Tenant improvement cost is the number that decides whether the space was actually a good deal.
KitchensKitchen renovation: order of work
Most kitchen problems trace back to a decision made too late. Here's the order work happens and what has to be chosen before demolition.
BathroomsBathroom reno: waterproofing you can't see
Tile is not waterproof and grout is not a seal. What sits behind the tile determines whether a bathroom lasts twenty years or fails in three.
Finish carpentryHow to judge finish carpentry quality
Finish carpentry is the part of a renovation you look at every day. Here's a practical walkthrough checklist for judging whether it was done well.
DecksBuilding a deck in BC: permits and drainage
Coastal BC is a wet climate, and decks fail at connections and drainage long before the boards wear out. What matters in the build.
Older homesPre-1990 homes: the asbestos step
Before renovating a pre-1990 home in BC, asbestos materials must be assessed by a qualified person. A WorkSafeBC requirement, not optional.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us what you're planning. Hoon will walk the site with you and talk through scope, timeline, and cost before anything is scheduled.
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