Built with a Developer's Mindset

Verterra Builds is a full-service general contractor serving Greater Vancouver and Victoria, BC. We specialize in restaurant and hospitality build-outs, commercial tenant improvements (office, retail, medical), custom home construction, full-scale residential renovations, structural additions and laneway homes, and ground-up commercial new builds.

Yes. Verterra Builds operates across Greater Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, and Coquitlam, plus Greater Victoria, including Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, and the broader South Island. Both markets operate under the same BC Building Code and we maintain active trade relationships in both.

Commercial build-out costs in Greater Vancouver vary significantly by use type. Restaurant and hospitality construction typically runs $150–$350 per square foot, office tenant improvement $80–$150/sq ft, medical and dental clinic TI $200–$300/sq ft, and retail buildout $100–$200/sq ft. These ranges cover permit-closed, turnkey construction. We provide fixed-price quotes after a site visit and scope review.

Yes. We manage the full permit process for every project, including the building permit, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits, and coordinate all inspections through to permit close. We have working relationships with City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver municipalities, and City of Victoria permit offices, and we know how to submit complete packages to minimize re-review cycles.

A developer evaluates every construction decision against cost, schedule, and long-term value, not just what's on the drawings. In practice, it means we offer fixed-price contracts, build milestone schedules with real dependencies, document every change order in writing, flag constructability issues before they become field problems, and value-engineer where the savings don't compromise quality. It's how commercial projects stay on budget.

Yes. Franchise build-outs require coordinating brand standards from the franchisor, landlord base building requirements, and the operator's opening timeline. Verterra Builds has completed franchise locations for Subway and A&W in the Lower Mainland, managing brand-standard compliance, Fraser Health food premises permits, and City of Vancouver building permits under fixed-price contracts.

A restaurant build-out in Greater Vancouver typically takes 10–20 weeks from permit issuance to certificate of occupancy, depending on space size, kitchen complexity, and permit turnaround times. Permit processing currently runs 6–12 weeks in most Metro Vancouver municipalities. We provide a detailed milestone schedule at the quote stage so lease commitments can be planned accurately.

Custom home construction in Greater Vancouver typically runs $350–$600+ per square foot for the construction scope, depending on design complexity, finish level, and site conditions. A well-specified 3,000 sq ft home: $1,050,000–$1,800,000 in construction costs, before land, design fees, and permits. We provide fixed-price estimates after reviewing architectural drawings.

Yes. All our projects are quoted on a fixed-price basis for the defined scope. We use a transparent allowance schedule for client-selected finishes and a written change order process for any scope additions. The goal is a final number that reflects reality, not a low number to win the job followed by change orders that erode the relationship.

Yes. Verterra Builds holds the BC contractor licensing, general liability insurance, and WorkSafeBC registration required for the work we undertake. We provide proof of insurance and clearance documentation on request before any project begins.

Yes. After-hours and weekend work in occupied retail centres, office towers, and mixed-use buildings is a regular part of our commercial practice. Occupied-building construction requires close coordination with property management and building operations, so we schedule to those constraints from the outset and the off-hours premium is typically less than the business interruption cost of daytime closures.

The first step is a consultation, either a site visit for construction projects or a call to discuss scope and timeline. We review the project, ask the questions we need to scope it accurately, and provide a fixed-price proposal with a milestone schedule. Call us at (604) 690-3830 or use the contact form below.