Commercial Renovation Cost in Vancouver (2026): Real Project Data

Metro Vancouver commercial renovation costs in 2026 range from $80 to $700 per square foot depending on the type of space. An office refresh costs $80–$160/sq ft; a retail build-out runs $100–$300/sq ft; a restaurant with a full commercial kitchen costs $200–$500/sq ft; and a medical clinic runs $300–$700/sq ft. Reno Stars has delivered all four types of projects in Burnaby and Vancouver — this guide uses real cost data from those completed projects.

What Does a Commercial Renovation Cost in Vancouver? Table of 2026 Rates

Commercial renovation costs in Vancouver and Metro Vancouver are quoted per square foot of the affected area. The table below reflects 2026 market rates including materials, labour, permits, and BC Building Code compliance. Prices vary based on scope, building class, and the complexity of the space.

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

Office Renovation Cost in Vancouver: Tenant Improvements

An office renovation in Vancouver covers anything from a cosmetic refresh of an existing space to a full tenant improvement (TI) build-out. Tenant improvements are the work a landlord or tenant does to customize a space — flooring, ceilings, partitions, electrical, and data runs.

A standard office refresh for a Vancouver or Burnaby office space (1,000–2,500 sq ft) runs $80,000–$200,000 in 2026. A mid-range refresh covers new carpet tile or LVP flooring, fresh paint, suspended ceiling replacement, LED lighting upgrades, and partition reconfiguration. Off-hours scheduling (evenings and weekends) adds roughly 10–15% to labour costs but keeps the business operating.

Reno Stars completed a full floor refresh for a Burnaby dental office — new flooring, fresh paint, updated reception area millwork, and LED retrofits — at a total investment of $92,000 for a 1,800 sq ft space. See the dental clinic renovation project.

For offices in strata buildings, expect freight elevator booking fees, after-hours work restrictions, and building protection requirements — these add roughly $8,000–$20,000 to a project budget that would otherwise be $150,000–$250,000 for a 2,000 sq ft open-plan refresh.

Retail Renovation Cost: Store Build-Outs in Vancouver and Burnaby

A retail build-out in Metro Vancouver ranges from $100 to $300 per square foot. A 1,500 sq ft retail space in Burnaby or Metrotown costs approximately $150,000–$450,000 to fully build out. That covers the base build (shell, mechanical, electrical, fire separation) plus finishes, fixtures, and any specialty requirements such as refrigerated cases or security systems.

Reno Stars recently completed a toy store renovation in Metrotown, Burnaby — a full interior refresh including new display shelving, updated flooring, fresh paint, and improved lighting. See the toy store renovation project. The project delivered a retail-ready space that opened on schedule and within budget.

Key cost drivers for Vancouver and Burnaby retail build-outs include: structural changes to open up a storefront, adding a mezzanine for additional selling area, and compliance with BC Plumbing Code for any food or beverage component. Each of these adds $15,000–$60,000 to a base budget.

Restaurant Renovation Cost in Vancouver

Restaurant renovation in Vancouver is the most complex and expensive category in commercial work. A full commercial kitchen build-out alone — including Type I exhaust hood, fire suppression, grease trap, walk-in cooler, and health-authority-compliant prep area — costs $80,000–$230,000 in 2026, before the dining area is even priced.

When the dining area is included, a 2,000 sq ft restaurant renovation in Vancouver or Burnaby runs $400,000–$900,000. A smaller 800–1,200 sq ft café or quick-service restaurant renovation costs $200,000–$450,000.

Critical items in a Vancouver restaurant renovation budget:

• Commercial vent hood (Type I, installed): $35,000–$90,000
• Make-up air unit: $15,000–$35,000
• Grease trap (1,000 lb interior): $8,000–$18,000
• Walk-in cooler (8×10): $25,000–$45,000
• Health Authority sign-off coordination: $5,000–$15,000
• Liquor licence fit-out (if applicable): $5,000–$15,000

Off-hours construction is common for Vancouver restaurants — a requirement that adds 10–20% to labour costs but allows a restaurant to remain open during the renovation. Planning a kitchen, bathroom, whole-home or commercial renovation? Get a free, no-obligation quote from Reno Stars.

Medical and Dental Clinic Renovation Cost

Medical and dental clinic renovations in Vancouver and Burnaby command the highest per-square-foot costs in commercial work — $300 to $700/sq ft in 2026. The premium reflects clinical-grade mechanical, electrical, and finishes requirements, plus regulatory compliance with Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC College of Dental Surgeons.

A 2,000 sq ft dental clinic renovation in Burnaby — with four operatories, a sterilization room, reception, and barrier-free washroom — ran $680,000 all-in in 2025. That project included lead-lined X-ray rooms ($35,000), HEPA-grade HVAC upgrades ($42,000), and CSA B651 barrier-free washroom construction ($38,000). See the full dental clinic renovation project.

A 1,200 sq ft skin lab and wellness clinic in Vancouver — with treatment rooms, reception, and retail display — was completed at $310,000. See the skin lab renovation project.

What Drives a Vancouver Commercial Renovation Cost Up

Five factors most commonly push a Metro Vancouver commercial renovation budget beyond the initial estimate:

• Strata building restrictions — after-hours-only work in high-rise office and retail centres adds 10–20% to labour costs and extends timelines by 20–40%.
• BC Building Code Part 3 compliance — buildings over three storeys or 600 sq m fall under Part 3, which requires architect and engineer involvement, sprinkler system upgrades, and detailed fire safety plans. This adds $15,000–$50,000 in design and permit fees before a single piece of drywall is hung.
• Change of use — converting an office to a restaurant or salon triggers a change of use that can require full mechanical and sprinkler system upgrades. Budget $25,000–$80,000 for this alone.
• Asbestos abatement — pre-1990 commercial buildings in Vancouver and Burnaby frequently contain asbestos in floor tile, pipe insulation, or spray-on fireproofing. Asbestos remediation runs $10,000–$80,000 depending on the building size and extent of contamination.
• Heritage building requirements — buildings in Vancouver Heritage Conservation Areas (such as Gastown, Strathcona, or the West End) may require heritage alteration permits and review, adding $10,000–$30,000 and 4–8 weeks to a project timeline.

Timeline for Commercial Renovations in Vancouver and Burnaby

How long a commercial renovation takes depends on the complexity of the space and the permitting path. A straightforward office refresh (no structural changes, no change of use) can be completed in 4–10 weeks. A retail build-out takes 8–14 weeks. A restaurant with a full commercial kitchen runs 14–24 weeks. A medical clinic — with health authority sign-off, clinical HVAC, and lead-lined rooms — takes 16–28 weeks.

Reno Stars provides a detailed project schedule before construction begins. All commercial projects include a written scope, fixed-price contract, BC permit package, $5M CGL insurance, WorkSafeBC coverage, and a 2-year workmanship warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions — Commercial Renovation Cost Vancouver

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

A commercial renovation in Vancouver costs $80 to $700 per square foot in 2026 depending on the type of space. Office refreshes run $80–$160/sq ft. Retail build-outs run $100–$300/sq ft. Restaurants with commercial kitchens run $200–$500/sq ft. Medical and dental clinics run $300–$700/sq ft. These rates include materials, labour, permits, and BC Building Code compliance for Metro Vancouver projects.

Do I need a permit for a commercial renovation in Vancouver?

Yes — a BC building permit is required for any commercial renovation in Vancouver, Burnaby, or Metro Vancouver that involves structural changes, plumbing work, electrical upgrades, changes to fire suppression systems, changes of use, or any work that affects means of egress. Reno Stars handles all permit applications and coordinates required inspections as part of every commercial project.

How long does a commercial renovation take in Vancouver?

An office refresh takes 4–10 weeks. A retail build-out takes 8–14 weeks. A restaurant renovation with a commercial kitchen takes 14–24 weeks. A medical or dental clinic renovation takes 16–28 weeks. Heritage buildings and strata buildings add 4–8 weeks to these timelines due to permit and scheduling requirements.

What is included in a Vancouver commercial renovation contract?

A complete commercial renovation contract with Reno Stars includes: written scope of work, fixed-price contract, BC Building Permit package, BC Building Code compliance verification, $5M Commercial General Liability insurance, WorkSafeBC coverage, and a 2-year workmanship warranty. All commercial projects also include a pre-construction survey, lease review where applicable, and a detailed project schedule before construction begins.

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