The RealDream magazine for North Shore homeowners. Real numbers on what renovations cost here, plain explanations of the permit rules in North and West Vancouver, and notes from the job sites we run every week.
Cover story
Two different ways to structure a construction project, and the choice affects cost, communication, timeline, and accountability. Here's how each model works in practice.
Read the cover story
02 The renovate-or-rebuild decision isn't just about cost. It's about what you're starting with, what you want to end up with, and what the lot allows. Here's how to think it through.
03 North Vancouver is two municipalities with different building departments, bylaws, and processes. Here's a practical comparison for anyone planning construction on the North Shore.
The archive
21 articles
A practical walkthrough of the commercial building permit process in Vancouver and North Vancouver. What you need, how long it takes, and where projects get stuck.
Recent zoning updates in North Vancouver are changing what you can build on your lot: secondary suites, multiplexes, and density provisions. Here's what's shifted and what it means for your property.
Everything you need to know about building permits in North Vancouver: what requires one, how to apply, processing times, fees, and the differences between City and District.
Laneway house and coach house costs in North Vancouver for 2026. What the build costs, what the city requires, and whether the math makes sense for your property.
What commercial renovation actually costs in Metro Vancouver: tenant improvements, restaurant build-outs, office refreshes, and retail fit-outs. 2026 pricing with real ranges.
Bathroom renovation pricing in North Vancouver for 2026, from powder room refreshes to full primary bathroom rebuilds. Costs, timelines, and what typically goes wrong.
Finding a contractor who understands commercial code, tenant improvement leases, and small business timelines is different from hiring a residential renovator. Here's who actually does this work in Vancouver.
Comparing RealDream Construction and Powell Contracting: two North Shore builders that both offer fixed-price contracts but differ in specialization and service range.
Comparing RealDream Construction and Heilman Renovations: service scope, geographic coverage, specialization, and approach to renovation on the North Shore.
What decks cost to build on the North Shore, which materials hold up in our climate, and when you need a permit. Practical guidance from a local builder.
Practical energy upgrades for North Shore homes: insulation, windows, heat pumps, HRV systems, and how to take advantage of BC rebates. Real costs and payback periods.
What's protected, what can change, and how to renovate a pre-1950 North Vancouver home without running into heritage designation issues.
What a whole home renovation actually involves on the North Shore: scope, cost per square foot, timeline, and how to decide between a gut renovation and a tear-down rebuild.
Practical accessibility modifications for North Shore homes: barrier-free showers, wider doorways, main-floor conversions, and what the BC Building Code requires.
Realistic timelines for kitchen, bathroom, basement, full-home, and custom build projects on the North Shore, including what actually causes delays.
Generic renovation cost guides quote Metro Vancouver averages that don't apply here. North Shore homes have a different cost baseline, and a different set of surprises. Here's what the numbers actually look like.
Real cost ranges for kitchen renovations on the North Shore, from cabinet refreshes to full gut-and-reconfigure projects. Based on what we're seeing in 2026.
We looked at renovation contractors actually doing work on the North Shore right now: Google ratings, certifications, specialties, and what kind of projects each one handles best. Here's what we found.
Stormwater management plans, soil permits, and sediment control bylaws catch North Shore homeowners off guard more than almost anything else. Here's what's actually required, and why it's more complex here than anywhere else in Metro Vancouver.
78% of Metro Vancouver renovations exceed their initial budget. On the North Shore, the conditions that drive overruns are more concentrated: older housing stock, terrain complexity, trade shortages, and regulatory requirements that don't apply the same way in flatter municipalities.
BC's Bill 44 and municipal follow-through have opened up secondary suite and laneway possibilities that most North Shore homeowners don't know apply to their property yet. Here's what's changed, what it actually costs, and what the North Shore terrain means for your specific project.
