- Blog, Commercial
How Long Does an Office Renovation Take in Vancouver?
- By QUAY Construction
Most small office renovations in Vancouver take about four to six weeks of construction once permits are in place and materials are ordered. Design and permits come before that, and how long they take depends on the scope, the building and the city. Larger offices, multi-floor projects and work phased around staff are scheduled from the full scope. This guide walks through each stage so you can plan around a lease or move-in date. For the service itself, see our office renovation timeline.
The short answer
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Small office, construction | 4 to 6 weeks, once permits are in place and materials are ordered |
| Larger or multi-floor office | Scheduled from the scope and phasing plan |
| Design and permits | Before construction; depends on the scope, building and city |
| City of Vancouver TIPs review | Initial review and contact within 5 to 10 business days, for complete applications in eligible office buildings |
For a real example, our office and warehouse renovation for Five Star Building Services in Burnaby added two new staff kitchens, new flooring and paint on both floors, and warehouse racking in about eight weeks.
Stage by stage
1. Site visit, scope and pricing
We review the space and the building rules, confirm the permit path and price the full scope before you commit. Your fixed-price proposal shows how the work is sequenced and how long each phase runs, so the schedule is set from your actual scope rather than a rule of thumb.
2. Design and permits
Office renovations that move walls or change plumbing, electrical, ventilation or fire-life-safety systems often need permits. For office tenants in eligible Vancouver buildings, the City’s Tenant Improvement Program (TIPs) says complete applications get an initial review and contact within 5 to 10 business days. A complete, well-prepared application is the simplest way to avoid back-and-forth. Our guide to office renovation permits in Vancouver covers the process.
3. Ordering long-lead items
Glass partitions, custom millwork and mechanical equipment are ordered as soon as the design is approved, so they don’t hold up your move-in date.
4. Construction
A small office typically takes four to six weeks of construction. We work after hours and on weekends where needed so your team can keep working, and larger or multi-floor offices can be phased so part of the space stays in use.
5. Inspections and move-in
Permitted work is inspected before the space is handed over. You have one point of contact from design to move-in, and our 365-day workmanship warranty starts at completion. See our process for how each step works.
What makes an office renovation take longer
- Scope. Moving walls or changing plumbing, electrical, ventilation or fire-life-safety systems usually means permits and inspections.
- Size and phasing. Larger and multi-floor offices, or work phased around staff, are scheduled from the full scope.
- Building rules. Building management may set work hours, elevator bookings and approvals that shape the schedule.
- Late decisions. Changing the design after approval delays ordering of long-lead items.
How to keep your project on schedule
- Start from your lease or move-in date and work back.
- Get a fixed-price proposal that lists scope, inclusions, exclusions and allowances, plus the phase-by-phase schedule.
- Approve the design early so long-lead items can be ordered.
- Submit a complete permit application.
- Ask about after-hours and weekend work if your office has to stay open.
Related guides
Budgeting the same project? See office renovation cost in Vancouver and the commercial renovation cost guide. Moving into a leased space? Read tenant improvements vs office renovations or the office renovation process.
