Vancouver Renovation Guides

Expert guides on renovation costs, permits, design ideas & local contractors across Metro Vancouver.

Vancouver custom home renovation with modern pool design

How Much Should I Pay as a Contractor Deposit in BC? (2026 Guide)

The short answer: A reasonable contractor deposit in BC is 10–25% of the total project cost, depending on project size. Anything over 33% before work begins is a red flag. Deposits over 50% on a residential renovation are almost never justified. What BC Law Says About

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Downtown Vancouver Condo Renovation Guide: Costs, Strata Rules & Permits 2026

Downtown Vancouver Condo Renovation Guide: Costs, Strata Rules & Permits 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Downtown Vancouver, Vancouver’s urban core, home to the highest concentration of strata condominiums in BC, ranging from pre-1990 concrete towers to modern glass high-rises.

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Norquay Village Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Housing 2026

Norquay Village Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Housing 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Norquay Village, an east Vancouver neighbourhood between Nanaimo Street and Boundary Road, undergoing significant densification under the Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre Plan with new multiplex and

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Victoria-Fraserview Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Insights 2026

Victoria-Fraserview Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Insights 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Victoria-Fraserview, a large south Vancouver neighbourhood between Fraser Street and Boundary Road, known for its post-war housing stock and strong community character. Whether you’re planning a

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Champlain Heights Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Housing Types 2026

Champlain Heights Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Housing Types 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Champlain Heights, a planned neighbourhood in southeast Vancouver developed primarily in the 1970s-1980s, featuring a distinctive mix of townhomes, strata developments, and single-family homes near

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MacKenzie Heights Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Housing 2026

MacKenzie Heights Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Housing 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in MacKenzie Heights, one of Vancouver’s most prestigious west-side neighbourhoods, bordering Dunbar and Kerrisdale, featuring large single-family homes on generous lots with mountain and city views.

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Kensington-Cedar Cottage Renovation Guide: Costs, Housing Types & Permits 2026

Kensington-Cedar Cottage Renovation Guide: Costs, Housing Types & Permits 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Kensington-Cedar Cottage, a diverse central Vancouver neighbourhood bounded by 41st Ave to the south and Knight Street to the east, featuring a mix of pre-war

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Renfrew-Collingwood Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Insights 2026

Renfrew-Collingwood Renovation Guide: Costs, Permits & Local Insights 2026 This guide covers everything homeowners need to know about renovating in Renfrew-Collingwood, one of East Vancouver’s most densely populated and diverse neighbourhoods, home primarily to post-war bungalows, Vancouver Specials, and older character homes. Whether you’re planning a

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Vancouver custom home renovation with modern pool design
Cost Guides2 minMar 2026

Vancouver Renovation Cost Index 2026: Real Numbers from Real Projects

This is not a guide to what renovations should cost — it is a report on what renovations actually cost in Metro Vancouver in 2026, drawn from VGC’s completed project data. We’ve aggregated cost data from 85 projects completed in the 12 months ending February 2026

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Vancouver custom home renovation with modern pool design

What to Do When Your Renovation Goes Over Budget in Vancouver (2026 Guide)

Budget overruns are the most common source of conflict in renovation projects. Whether you’re mid-project dealing with unexpected costs, or evaluating a contractor’s change order request, this guide gives you a clear framework for making decisions when the renovation cost exceeds your plan. Understand why the

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City of Vancouver BC renovation services

Aging in Place Renovation Vancouver: Universal Design & Accessibility (2026)

More Metro Vancouver homeowners are choosing to renovate their existing homes for long-term accessibility rather than downsizing or moving to care facilities — a strategy called “aging in place.” The economics are compelling: a targeted $30,000–$80,000 renovation investment can extend comfortable independent living in a familiar

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Metro Vancouver Building Permit Report 2026: What Got Approved & What’s Changed

Building permit activity in Metro Vancouver in 2025–2026 reflects the combined impact of Bill 44 multiplex permissions, provincial housing mandates, and sustained renovation demand despite higher borrowing costs. This report summarises key permit trends across Metro Vancouver’s major municipalities based on publicly reported data and VGC’s

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Fairview & South Granville Renovation Guide: Condos, Heritage & Costs (2026)

This guide covers everything you need to know about renovating in Fairview, Vancouver — typical housing stock, permit office process, renovation costs, and what to watch out for. Written by VGC’s renovation team based on our direct experience completing projects in Fairview. Housing Stock in Fairview

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Renovation Contractor Serving Metro Vancouver

VGC completes kitchen, bathroom, basement, and full home renovations across the Lower Mainland. Click your city for local pricing and project information.