- Commercial
Office Renovation Cost in Vancouver (2026): Prices per Sq Ft
- By QUAY Construction
Planning an office renovation in Vancouver and need a realistic budget? This guide uses the 2026 planning ranges QUAY publishes for office work, shows what they look like for a typical office, and explains what moves a project up or down the range. For the full service, see our office renovations in Vancouver page.
Quick answer. In 2026, an office refresh in Vancouver typically costs $90 to $150 per square foot for construction, and a full office build-out typically costs $150 to $250 per square foot. These are planning ranges, not quotes. They exclude design and engineering fees, permit fees, furniture, IT and AV, signage, specialty equipment and GST.
Office renovation cost per square foot in Vancouver (2026)
| Type of office project | Construction cost per sq ft | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Office refresh | $90 to $150 | Paint, flooring, lighting and minor walls inside the existing layout |
| Office full build-out | $150 to $250 | New layout, private offices and meeting rooms, ceilings, lighting, power and data, kitchens and finishes |
What an office renovation costs for a 3,000 sq ft office
| Example | Size | Construction budget range |
|---|---|---|
| Office refresh | 3,000 sq ft | About $270,000 to $450,000 |
| Office full build-out | 3,000 sq ft | About $450,000 to $750,000 |
The examples multiply the per-square-foot ranges by the office size, so the same exclusions apply. For other space types, such as retail, restaurants and clinics, see our commercial renovation cost guide.
What drives office renovation costs in Vancouver
Two offices of the same size can land at opposite ends of the range. These are the main reasons.
1. The space you start with
A unit handed over as a bare shell needs more work than one with usable ceilings, lighting, washrooms and mechanical systems. What the landlord provides, and what you have to build, is set out in your lease. Read more about tenant improvement allowances and landlord’s work.
2. How much of the layout changes
A refresh that keeps the existing walls sits at the low end. New private offices, meeting rooms, a reception area and a staff kitchen push a project toward a full build-out, because each room adds framing, doors, ceilings, lighting, power and data.
3. Plumbing, ventilation and power
New kitchens and washrooms, extra cooling and electrical service upgrades are among the biggest line items in any commercial budget.
4. Building rules and working hours
Many office towers and mixed-use buildings limit noisy work to set hours and require elevator bookings and common-area protection. Work scheduled after hours or on weekends is planned and priced in from the start.
5. Permits and code requirements
Changing walls, plumbing, electrical or ventilation often needs a permit, and the extent of the work can bring fire-life-safety or accessibility requirements. In Vancouver, office tenants in eligible buildings can use the City’s Tenant Improvement Program. See our office renovation permits guide.
6. Finish level
Custom millwork, feature lighting, glass partitions and premium flooring can move a project from the middle of its range to the top. QUAY lists allowances for these items separately, so you can see where the money goes and adjust before construction starts.
What office renovation cost ranges do not include
The ranges above cover construction inside your unit. A complete office budget usually also includes design and engineering fees, permit fees, furniture, IT and AV, signage, specialty equipment and GST. Landlords may also ask for deposits, insurance or building-approved trades for certain systems, so check your lease before you finalize the budget.
How long an office renovation takes
A small office typically takes 4 to 6 weeks of construction once permits are in place and materials are ordered. Design and permits come first, and their length depends on the scope, the building and the City. Long-lead items such as custom millwork are ordered as soon as the design is approved. For the step-by-step sequence, see the office renovation process.
Can you renovate while your office stays open?
Yes. QUAY regularly builds while businesses stay open, scheduling noisy and dusty work after hours and on weekends and phasing the work so part of the office stays in use. For example, we renovated a Fairview chiropractic office in two weeks with all work done after hours and on weekends.
Who pays: tenant improvement allowances
In a leased office, the landlord may complete some work before handover and may contribute a tenant improvement allowance toward the rest. Both are negotiated deal by deal, so the best time to price the work is before you sign. Read how tenant improvement allowances work and tenant improvements vs office renovations.
A recent QUAY office project
For Five Star Building Services in Burnaby, QUAY delivered a design-build renovation of a two-storey office and warehouse: two staff kitchens, new flooring, a full repaint and pallet racking, in about eight weeks.
How QUAY prices and delivers the work
Every QUAY project starts with a site visit and your drawings or brief. You then get a detailed fixed-price proposal that lists the scope, inclusions, exclusions and allowances, agreed before construction begins. One project manager is your point of contact from approval to handover, noisy work can be scheduled after hours and on weekends, and applicable work is covered by our 365-day workmanship warranty. Learn more about our process.
Office renovation cost questions
How much does an office renovation cost per square foot in Vancouver?
About $90 to $150 per square foot for a refresh and $150 to $250 for a full build-out, for construction in 2026.
What does a 3,000 sq ft office renovation cost?
About $270,000 to $450,000 for a refresh and $450,000 to $750,000 for a full build-out, before the exclusions listed above.
What is not included in the cost?
Design and engineering fees, permit fees, furniture, IT and AV, signage, specialty equipment and GST.
How do I get an exact price?
Book a site visit. QUAY reviews the space and your drawings or brief and gives you a detailed fixed-price proposal. Start on our office renovations page.
