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North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Contact us
Talk through your building plans.
Call, email, or send a project inquiry with your scope, location, and priorities. The process stays direct and easy to start.
Call
(604) 401-4849Business hours
Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm | Saturday to Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Project inquiry
Send the essentials and start the conversation.
Share your project type, location, and goals. The form opens your email client with the project brief already addressed to RealDream Construction.
Service area
North Vancouver and West Vancouver, with select projects across Greater Vancouver.
Kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovation
Whole-home renovation and additions
Project management, supervision, and coordination
Commercial renovation and fit-outs
Helpful answers
Questions that usually come up before a first call.
Quick answers about service area, planning, and how to start the conversation.
What does RealDream Construction focus on?
Home renovation is our whole business: kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement finishing, and whole-home rebuilds, plus home additions, laneway homes, and commercial renovation. We work across North Vancouver and West Vancouver, with select projects in Greater Vancouver.
What areas does the company serve?
Our core service area is the North Shore: North Vancouver and West Vancouver, where we are based. We also take on select renovation projects in Vancouver, New Westminster, and White Rock.
How much does a whole-home renovation cost in North Vancouver?
A whole-home renovation in North Vancouver typically runs $150 to $350+ per square foot depending on how much of the structure, plumbing, and electrical is touched. For a 2,500 sq ft home, that means roughly $375,000 to $875,000+. A renovation that keeps the layout and systems mostly intact sits at the lower end; taking a home back to the studs with new systems throughout sits at the top.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the North Shore?
A mid-range kitchen renovation in North Vancouver runs $60,000 to $120,000. That range reflects the difference between refreshing cabinets and counters in the existing layout versus a full gut-and-reconfigure with structural changes, new plumbing, and premium finishes.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Plan for 8 to 14 weeks of on-site work once demolition starts, plus the lead time before that for design, permits, and cabinetry orders. Custom cabinetry alone often needs 6 to 10 weeks of fabrication, which is why we lock selections before we open a single wall.
How long does a renovation take in North Vancouver?
It depends on scope. A bathroom typically takes 3 to 6 weeks, a kitchen 8 to 14 weeks, and a full-home renovation 4 to 8 months. Permit processing adds 4 to 6 weeks for minor work and 3 to 6 months for larger projects. RealDream provides a detailed timeline during the planning phase so there are no surprises.
Can we live in the house during the renovation?
Usually, yes. Most of our clients stay in the home for kitchens, bathrooms, and basement projects. We stage the work into zones, seal off active areas with dust containment, keep one working bathroom available, and clean up daily. For full-home renovations that open most of the house at once, we will tell you honestly if moving out for a phase will save you money and stress.
Do I need a permit for my renovation?
Cosmetic work like paint, flooring, and cabinet replacement in the same layout doesn't require a permit. Anything involving structural changes, plumbing or electrical rerouting, or changes to the building footprint requires a building permit from your municipality. We manage the full permit process as part of the project scope.
What is the difference between the City and District of North Vancouver?
They're two separate municipalities with different zoning bylaws, permit processes, and fee structures. The City covers the urban core around Lonsdale and the waterfront. The District covers everything north, including Lynn Valley, Edgemont, and the upper slopes. Building requirements, tree bylaws, and review timelines differ between the two.
Do you still build custom homes?
No. We now focus entirely on renovation: kitchens, bathrooms, basements, whole-home rebuilds, additions, and laneway homes. If you are weighing a major renovation against tearing down and rebuilding, our renovate-versus-build-new guide walks through how we think about that decision honestly.
Does RealDream do commercial renovation?
Yes. We handle commercial renovation for restaurants, offices, retail spaces, and tenant improvements. Commercial projects involve different code requirements (fire ratings, accessibility, commercial ventilation) and a separate permit stream from residential work.
What does 'fixed-price contract' mean?
Once the scope is locked and drawings are finalized, our price holds. No surprise invoices for conditions an experienced renovator should have anticipated. This shifts the financial risk away from the client. If we've done the planning properly, you shouldn't be absorbing cost overruns.
Can RealDream build a secondary suite or laneway house?
Yes. Secondary suites and laneway homes are part of our renovation services. Requirements vary by municipality: the District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, and West Vancouver each have different rules for suite sizes, ceiling heights, parking, and fire separation. We handle the permit process and build to current code.
How does RealDream handle renovation design?
Design is integrated into the renovation timeline. Clients work directly with a designer to make material, finish, and layout selections at the right time in the build sequence, not as an afterthought. This prevents the delays that happen when selections aren't made before trades need them on site.
What should I prepare before contacting RealDream?
It helps to have a rough idea of your project type (kitchen, bathroom, basement, whole-home, addition, or commercial), location, approximate budget range, and desired timeline. You don't need detailed drawings or a firm scope. That's what the consultation process is for. If you have photos of the existing space or inspiration images, bring those too.