Our process
Every RealDream project follows the same sequence: assess, scope, price, permit, build, inspect, hand over. The details change with each project. The discipline doesn't.
The first conversation is about understanding your project: location, scope, timing, and budget expectations. We schedule a site visit to assess the existing conditions and walk the spaces you want to change. No commitments at this stage. It's about figuring out whether the project makes sense and whether we're the right fit.
This is where we open inspection panels, check plumbing materials, test electrical capacity, evaluate foundation condition, and identify anything behind the walls that will affect scope. Where the renovation touches the site, we coordinate geotechnical reports and review zoning constraints. This step prevents the budget surprises that come from skipping the homework.
We produce a detailed scope document that covers every aspect of the project: structural, mechanical, electrical, finishes, and site work. Material selections are specified, not left as allowances. The result is a fixed-price proposal where the number on the contract is the number you pay. Change orders for client-requested changes are documented separately.
We work with your architect, structural engineer, and designer (or provide in-house design support) to finalize drawings for permit submission. We manage the full permit process: application, reviewer comments, revisions, and approval. In North Vancouver, minor renovation permits take 4 to 6 weeks, and larger structural renovations can take 3 to 6 months.
Once permits are in hand and materials are ordered, construction begins. We manage all trades directly: framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, tile, cabinetry, painting. Dust containment goes up before demolition, work zones stay sealed from living areas, and the site is cleaned daily. You receive regular progress updates, and the schedule is tracked against the original timeline with any variances flagged immediately.
Before handover, we run a formal deficiency inspection and build a punchlist. Every item is tracked to completion. Final municipal inspections are coordinated and signed off. The project closes with a walkthrough, system orientation, maintenance documentation, and all warranty information. The project isn't done when construction stops. It's done when you're confident in the result.
What sets this apart
Most budget overruns start with vague scoping and absent site management. Our process is designed to eliminate both.
The number on the contract is the number you pay. Change orders for client-requested changes are documented and approved separately.
One of our site managers is on-site every working day. Not once a week. Not when there's a problem. Every day.
All materials, finishes, and fixtures are specified before construction starts. No allowances, no surprises, no decision fatigue mid-build.
We handle every permit (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, development) and coordinate all inspections.
One project manager handles all trade coordination, client communication, and scheduling. No runaround.
Every project closes with a deficiency inspection, punchlist completion, system walkthrough, and warranty documentation.
Ready to start?
Call (604) 401-4849, send an inquiry, or book a consultation.
