Frequently asked questions
The questions that come up most often before the first consultation, covering renovation costs, timelines, permits, and how RealDream's process works across the North Shore.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Still have questions?
Call (604) 401-4849, send an inquiry, or book a consultation.
