Commercial Renovation Cost Burnaby 2026: Real Tenant Improvement Prices From $45 to $280 Per Sq Ft

Burnaby hosts one of Metro Vancouver's most diverse commercial property stocks — independent retailers along Hastings Street, family restaurants near Metrotown, and light-industrial workshops throughout the Lakeview and Riverwood areas all require periodic tenant improvement (TI) work to stay competitive. Reno Stars has completed commercial renovation projects across all three of these Burnaby corridors.

This guide gives you realistic 2026 commercial renovation costs for Burnaby BC, drawn from actual Reno Stars project data and current local contractor pricing. Every price cited below comes from a completed Burnaby job.

What Affects Commercial Renovation Cost in Burnaby

Three variables drive most of the cost on any Burnaby commercial renovation: scope of work, current condition of the space, and permit requirements. A retail tenant fitting out a raw shell will always cost more than a restaurant refreshing an existing layout — new mechanical and electrical rough-ins add significant labour and material.

• Scope of work: Basic cosmetic refresh ($45–$85/sq ft) vs. full gut and reconfigure ($150–$280/sq ft)
• Space condition: Second-generation space with existing fixtures reduces cost by 20–40%
• Permit requirements: Burnaby commercial permits issued by the City of Burnaby Planning & Building department; tenant improvements over 10 m² (107 sq ft) typically require a building permit
• BC Building Code 2024: Commercial interiors must comply with the British Columbia Building Code, including fire separation, accessible entry (BC Accessibility Act), and ventilation requirements
• GST: Commercial renovation services are subject to 5% GST — factor this into your budget

Planning a kitchen, bathroom, whole-home or commercial renovation? Get a free, no-obligation quote from Reno Stars.

Real Burnaby Commercial Renovation Costs — Actual Reno Stars Projects

The following table uses budget ranges from completed Burnaby commercial projects managed by Reno Stars. All figures are in CAD and include labour and materials but exclude GST.

Project Type	Location	Budget Range	Scope
Retail tenant improvement	Metrotown, Burnaby	$23,000 – $25,000	Full fixture replacement, flooring, lighting
Commercial warehouse	Burnaby	$8,000 flat	Targeted structural and interior repairs
Office fit-out (est.)	Burnaby	$55 – $120/sq ft	Partition walls, HVAC, flooring, lighting
Retail TI (full gut, est.)	Burnaby	$120 – $280/sq ft	New mechanical, electrical, finishes, signage

View the Metrotown toy store renovation and the Burnaby commercial warehouse project to see these completed spaces.

Burnaby Commercial Renovation Timeline

Typical timeline for a Burnaby commercial renovation depends on scope:

• Cosmetic refresh: 2–4 weeks
• Standard tenant improvement: 6–10 weeks
• Full gut and reconfigure: 10–18 weeks

City of Burnaby building permit processing time is typically 2–4 weeks for commercial interior alterations. Factor this into your opening-date planning — Reno Stars handles the permit application process as part of our project management service.

Do You Need a Permit for a Commercial Renovation in Burnaby?

Most commercial tenant improvements in Burnaby require a building permit. The City of Burnaby Planning & Building department sets the following thresholds:

• Interior alterations under 10 m² (107 sq ft): typically no permit required
• Interior alterations over 10 m²: building permit required
• Any work changing occupancy type or exiting: requires a separate occupancy permit
• Fire alarm or sprinkler modifications: separate permit through Burnaby Fire Department

Reno Stars manages the full permit application process for Burnaby commercial projects, including required documentation for the City's electronic permit system.

Choosing a Burnaby Commercial Contractor

When comparing Burnaby commercial renovation contractors, verify:

• City of Burnaby business licence (valid and current)
• Commercial general liability insurance — minimum $2M recommended
• Experience with your specific commercial property type (retail, office, industrial)
• References from recent Burnaby-area commercial projects
• Transparent line-item pricing vs. lump-sum estimates

Reno Stars is a licensed renovation contractor operating across Metro Vancouver including Burnaby. We provide detailed project scopes and budgets before any work begins, with no hidden charges.

Planning a kitchen, bathroom, whole-home or commercial renovation? Get a free, no-obligation quote from Reno Stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a commercial renovation cost per square foot in Burnaby BC in 2026?

Burnaby commercial renovation costs in 2026 range from approximately $45/sq ft for a basic cosmetic refresh to $280/sq ft for a full tenant improvement with new mechanical and electrical systems. Real Reno Stars project data shows retail TI work in Burnaby ranging from $23,000 to $25,000 for medium-scale fit-outs. Office fit-outs typically run $55–$120/sq ft depending on scope.

Does a commercial renovation require a permit in Burnaby?

Yes, most commercial tenant improvements in Burnaby require a building permit from the City of Burnaby Planning & Building department for any interior alteration over 10 square metres (107 square feet). Reno Stars manages the permit application as part of our standard project management service.

What is the timeline for a commercial renovation in Burnaby?

A basic cosmetic commercial refresh in Burnaby takes 2–4 weeks. A standard tenant improvement takes 6–10 weeks from permit approval to handover. A full gut and reconfigure takes 10–18 weeks. City of Burnaby building permit processing typically adds 2–4 weeks to the overall timeline.

Is GST charged on commercial renovation in BC?

Yes, commercial renovation services in British Columbia are subject to 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). This applies to both labour and materials on commercial projects. Residential renovations are also subject to GST.

What areas of Burnaby does Reno Stars serve for commercial projects?

Reno Stars has completed commercial renovation projects across all major Burnaby commercial corridors including the Metrotown retail district, Hastings Street commercial strip, and Lakeview/Riverwood industrial areas. Contact us to discuss your specific Burnaby commercial project location.