A renovation showroom visit lets you see and touch materials such as cabinetry, countertops and vanities, and meet a designer who can discuss your project. Booking a consultation ahead of time is the best way to make the visit productive. Avalon Oss's showroom is at #110-12111 Bridgeport Rd, Richmond & #103-6554 176 St, Surrey; consultations are free. What happens at a design consultation? You'll review your goals, look at material samples, and discuss scope and budget range.

Renovating an Older Vancouver Home: Older homes hide conditions that newer ones don't, so the best preparation is a pre-construction assessment of materials, wiring, plumbing, structure and moisture. Doing this before you sign a contract gives you a more accurate quote and fewer surprises. 1. Could there be hazardous materials? Older Vancouver Homes built before the 1990s may contain materials such as asbestos or lead-based paint, and renovation can disturb them. Ask about a

Fixed-Price vs Cost-Plus: A fixed-price contract sets one total price for a clearly defined scope of work, while a cost-plus contract bills the actual cost of labour and materials plus a fee or markup. Fixed-price usually suits well-defined projects such as a bathroom or kitchen, and cost-plus can suit projects with unknowns, such as older homes. What is a fixed-price renovation contract? The contractor quotes a total price for a written scope. If the price of materials or la

Renovation Permits in Metro Vancouver: Whether you need a renovation permit in Metro Vancouver depends on the scope of work and your municipality. In general, structural changes need a building permit, and electrical, plumbing and gas work need separate trades permits. A renovation company that coordinates design, permits and construction can handle the paperwork for you. When do you need a building permit? A building permit is generally required for renovations that change t

Choosing the right renovation company in Vancouver starts with checking the essentials: WorkSafeBC registration, liability insurance, written pricing, warranty coverage, and relevant project experience. Use these seven questions to compare renovation companies across Metro Vancouver. How to Choose a Renovation Company in Vancouver? 1. Is the company registered with WorkSafeBC and in good standing? Ask for the company's WorkSafeBC account number and request a clearance letter.