The Complete Vancouver Renovation Checklist: 47 Steps Before, During & After

Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation, basement suite, or whole-home makeover, this checklist covers every step of the renovation process in Metro Vancouver — from initial planning through permit applications to post-renovation punch list.

BEFORE YOU START: Planning Phase (15 Steps)

1. Define your goals: Are you renovating to live better, increase value, add rental income, or all three? Your goal shapes every decision.
2. Set your budget: Determine your total budget including a 10–15% contingency. Have this number firm before getting quotes.
3. Research your renovation type: Understand typical costs in your neighbourhood. Use our Renovation Cost Guide and Cost Calculator.
4. Check your zoning: Visit Vancouver’s VANMAP (vanmapp.vancouver.ca) or your municipality’s zoning map. Confirm what’s permitted on your lot (suite, laneway, addition, FSR).
5. Assess your financing: HELOC, renovation loan, mortgage refinance, or cash? See our financing guide. Have financing pre-arranged before committing.
6. Get a pre-renovation inspection: Especially for homes over 25 years old. Identify electrical, plumbing, structural, and hazardous material issues before they become change order surprises.
7. Test for asbestos: For homes built before 1990 — test any materials that will be disturbed in demo (floor tiles, ceiling texture, popcorn ceilings). Licensed abatement required if positive.
8. Identify design preferences: Collect photos, create a Pinterest board, visit showrooms. The clearer your vision, the fewer delays during the design phase.
9. Understand the permit process: Know which permits your project requires and how long they take in your municipality. See our Permit Checklist.
10. Get 3 contractor quotes: Don’t settle for one quote. Get minimum 3 from licensed, insured, WCB-covered contractors. See our quoting guide.
11. Verify contractor credentials: For each shortlisted contractor: municipal business licence (verify online), WCB clearance letter (request directly), Certificate of Insurance ($2M+ CGL). See our licence verification guide.
12. Read the contract thoroughly: Before signing, verify: detailed scope of work, explicit exclusions, payment schedule (10% max deposit), change order process, start/end dates, warranty terms. See our contract reading guide.
13. Finalize all material selections: Tile, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, flooring — select everything before signing. Every selection delay pushes the schedule. Request the contractor’s selection deadline schedule.
14. Plan your living arrangements: For major renovations, plan temporary relocation: where you’ll live, pet arrangements, storage for furniture and belongings.
15. Notify your insurance company: Inform your home insurer of the planned renovation. Confirm coverage during construction. Request that the contractor name you as additional insured on their policy.

DURING CONSTRUCTION: Active Renovation (20 Steps)

16. Confirm permit is posted on-site before any structural work begins.
17. Document the site before work starts: photo and video record of existing conditions for insurance and reference.
18. Establish a communication protocol: who is your single contact on the contractor’s team, what channel (text/email), how often will you receive updates?
19. Attend the rough-in inspection: walk through with the project manager before walls close to confirm all rough-in work is as expected.
20. Review structural work before framing closes: confirm beam installation, post locations, and any structural modifications are as designed.
21. Confirm window and door rough openings before framing complete — dimensions are harder to change after framing is up.
22. Verify plumbing rough-in locations match your intended layout before concrete or walls close.
23. Check electrical rough-in: verify outlet, switch, and lighting box locations match your plan — much cheaper to move boxes before drywall.
24. Review insulation before drywall — confirm R-values and continuity in walls, ceilings, and floor perimeters.
25. Pre-drywall walkthrough: do a full walk-through before drywall installation to catch any missed rough-in items.
26. Handle change orders in writing before any change is made. Every change order must specify scope, cost, and schedule impact before work proceeds.
27. Track your contingency balance: subtract each change order from your contingency. If contingency is 70% consumed before installation phase, raise concern with project manager.
28. Confirm tile layout before installation begins: mock up tile patterns and grout joints. Tile installation is one of the most expensive things to redo.
29. Verify cabinet dimensions before delivery: walk through the cabinet plan with the installer to confirm appliance openings, height clearances, and fridge panel location.
30. Check countertop template before fabrication: be present when the countertop templater measures — any dimension error becomes your problem after the slab is cut.
31. Verify electrical panel labelling: ensure all new circuits are properly labelled in the panel after electrical rough-in completes.
32. Confirm heated floor thermostat programming if applicable: test at startup, not at punch list.
33. Inspect exterior work for proper flashing: roof-to-wall junctions, window perimeters, and penetrations must be properly flashed and sealed before final exterior close-up.
34. Schedule City inspections promptly: don’t let inspection waits stop work — VGC schedules all inspections in advance with City inspectors.
35. Keep a written record of all verbal discussions: after any conversation with the contractor, send a brief email summary of what was agreed.

AFTER COMPLETION: Punch List and Handover (12 Steps)

36. Request a detailed punch list walkthrough: the contractor should walk through every room with you before final payment is released.
37. Document all deficiencies: photograph and list every item that needs correction. Email the list to the contractor for written confirmation.
38. Verify all permits are closed: confirm with the municipality that all building, plumbing, and electrical permits have final inspections and are closed.
39. Collect all warranty documentation: manufacturer warranties for appliances, fixtures, materials, and VGC’s 2-year workmanship warranty.
40. Collect all maintenance instructions: how to clean and maintain your new finishes (epoxy grout, quartz countertops, engineered flooring, etc.).
41. Test all mechanical systems: heat pump operation (both heating and cooling modes), HRV ventilation, heated floor thermostat, all exhaust fans.
42. Confirm smoke and CO detector placement and test all detectors.
43. Update your home insurance: notify insurer of completed renovation, new square footage (if applicable), new systems (heat pump, etc.), and new appraised value.
44. Update your mortgage: if a legal suite was added, contact your mortgage broker about rental income recognition on your next renewal.
45. Schedule the 1-year warranty walkthrough: contact VGC at 11 months post-completion for the warranty walkthrough to address any items before the 1-year warranty expires.
46. Register your appliances: register all new appliances with the manufacturer for warranty tracking.
47. Photograph the completed renovation thoroughly for insurance records and future reference.

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