Before and after
See the Work, Not Just the Finish
Drag the slider on each photo to see what changed. Both projects below are RealDream Contracting's own completed North Shore work, shown at the in-progress stage and finished.
Real projects, both stages
Full home renovation and staircase rebuild
Most renovation photography only shows the finish. These two comparisons show the same project at an earlier stage and completed, so the scope of the work is visible, not just the result.
Full home renovation
Full home renovation: the same structure opened back to its framing, then finished. Plumbing, electrical, and insulation were replaced before any finish work began.
Staircase rebuild
Staircase rebuild: balusters being set during installation, then the same staircase finished with an oak handrail and square newel post.
Looking for cost and timeline detail on kitchens, bathrooms, and basements too? The full before-and-after cost breakdown covers five project types with real North Shore pricing and timelines, or browse the full residential portfolio.
Questions
Before-and-after renovation questions
What does RealDream Contracting's before-and-after work actually show?
It shows two real North Shore projects at both stages: a full home renovation opened back to its framing before being finished, and a staircase rebuild during baluster installation before the final railing was fitted. Both before photos are genuine in-progress shots of the same project as the after photo next to them, not two unrelated finished projects.
How much does a full home renovation cost on the North Shore?
A whole-home gut renovation on the North Shore runs $275 to $400 per square foot, or $412,000 to $600,000 on a 1,500 square foot home. Adding an exterior re-clad with a rain screen moves that range to $350 to $500 per square foot.
How long does a full home renovation take from start to finish?
Construction runs 5 to 9 months once the crew is on site, with another 3 to 6 months of design and permitting before that starts. Most families do not live in the house during construction on a full gut, so budget temporary accommodation as a project cost.
Why open a house back to the framing instead of renovating around what's there?
Opening the walls lets every system get replaced at once: electrical, plumbing, insulation, and often heating all reset on the same day instead of becoming four separate future projects. It also lets load-bearing walls come down properly with beams in place, so the floor plan can be redesigned rather than left as a 1960s builder drew it.
How much does a staircase rebuild cost?
Staircase work on North Shore projects runs $12,000 to $70,000, depending on whether it is a refinish of existing treads and railings or a full structural rebuild with new stringers, treads, and a custom railing system.
What happens during staircase baluster installation?
Each baluster is set into the stair tread and fastened to the handrail individually, with spacing checked against BC Building Code rail-gap requirements as the run progresses. This is the stage hidden behind a finished staircase: the layout and fastening work is most of the labour, even though the finished railing is what shows in photos.
Do I need to move out during a renovation like the ones shown here?
For a whole-home gut renovation, yes: the house is opened to the framing and is not livable for the 5 to 9 month construction period. A staircase rebuild is a smaller, contained scope and does not typically require moving out, though the stairs themselves are out of use while balusters and railings are being fitted.
Are these RealDream Contracting's own completed projects?
Yes. Both projects shown are RealDream Contracting's own completed North Shore work, drawn from the same project galleries published on the Residential Projects page, not stock photography or a competitor's work.
Planning a renovation?