Major Renovations
Major home renovations in Vancouver
Whole-home renovations, layout changes and structural alterations to existing houses, managed by Crana Construction as general contractor. We coordinate the trades, consultants and sequencing a substantial renovation depends on.
Scope
What a major or whole-home renovation includes
Most of our renovation work involves more than one room and more than one trade. A typical scope combines several of the following.
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Whole-home renovations
Renovating a house throughout. At Jericho that meant a new kitchen, four bathrooms, flooring and a home gym in a 2,700 sq ft house.
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Layout changes
Opening up or reorganizing a floor plan, including the structural changes that come with moving walls.
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Structural alterations
Beams, new floor systems and re-framing, built to the project engineer's design.
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Reconstruction from the frame
Stripping a house back to its structure and rebuilding it, as in our home renewal work for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
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Additions tied into an existing house
New space that has to connect to the existing structure, building envelope and services.
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Kitchens and bathrooms within a larger scope
Kitchens and baths as part of a broader renovation rather than as stand-alone jobs.
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Mechanical and electrical upgrades
New electrical, low-voltage and heating systems coordinated within the overall construction.
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Millwork and finishing
Custom millwork and finish work, like the oak built-ins and custom bar at Homer Street.
Project record
Recent renovation projects
Crana Construction was general contractor on each of these projects.
More renovation work
More renovation projects
Further renovations with Crana Construction as general contractor.
Existing houses
Renovating an existing home is different
New construction starts from a cleared site. A renovation starts from decisions someone else made, sometimes decades ago. Not every project runs into all of these, but these are the issues we plan for. Where a renovation reaches the structure itself, see our work on structural renovation and house lifting.
- Unknown conditions
- Walls and floors can hide water damage, rot, mould or undersized framing. We look for likely problems early, but some conditions only show up once the house is opened up.
- Structural interfaces
- Removing walls, adding openings or tying new work into old can change how loads travel through the house. Where structure changes, the project engineer's design governs.
- Existing systems
- Plumbing, wiring and heating in an older house may need to be rerouted, upgraded or replaced to suit the new layout.
- Trade sequencing
- Demolition, structure, rough-ins, inspections, insulation, drywall, millwork and finishes have to happen in the right order. One late trade holds up the next.
- Design intent
- Drawings don't always fit an existing house exactly. We work through those differences with you and your designer before they become problems on site.
- Permits and engineering
- Where permits, engineering or consultants are required, Crana coordinates the process as part of pre-construction.
- Budget
- Conditions found during demolition can change cost. We identify the parts of the scope most likely to change before construction starts, and talk through options if conditions differ from what was expected.
Case study
Tsleil-Waututh Nation: homes rebuilt from the frame up
Crana Construction has completed extensive residential renewal work for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Each home was stripped back to its structure, repaired for structural deficiencies, water intrusion and mould, then rebuilt to the current BC Building Code and Energy Step Code. The photos below come from across the program.
- Role
- General Contractor
- Client
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Scope
- Strip to structure and rebuild
- Standard
- BC Building Code + Energy Step Code
01 Excavation Excavation beside a home 
02 Drain tile New drain tile being installed 
03 Kitchen A new kitchen in a renewed home 
04 Laundry A new laundry area in a renewed home 
05 Bathroom A new bathroom in a renewed home
General contracting
What Crana manages on a renovation
As general contractor, Crana is responsible for running the project. Specialist work is carried out by qualified trades and consultants that we schedule and coordinate.
Crana manages
- Site setup and day-to-day site coordination
- Scheduling and sequencing the work
- Trades on site
- Material ordering and deliveries
- Construction and finishing
- Deficiencies and closeout
Crana coordinates
- Structural engineers and other consultants, where required
- Designers and architects
- Permits and inspections, where applicable
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades
- Millwork and fabrication
Process
How a renovation runs with Crana
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Discuss Your Project
Tell us about the house, what you want to change, your timeline and budget, and any drawings you already have.
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Site Review & Scope
We walk the house to review existing conditions and define the scope, including structural changes and the trades involved.
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Pre-Construction & Pricing
A defined scope and pricing before work starts. Where permits, engineering or consultants are required, Crana coordinates the process as part of pre-construction.
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Construction
Demolition, structure, rough-ins, inspections and finishes, sequenced and managed by Crana as general contractor.
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Handover & Closeout
A final walkthrough, deficiency list and handover.
Fit
Is Crana the right fit for your renovation?
Crana is set up for renovations where construction management matters. That usually means one or more of the following.
- Substantial whole-home renovations
- Significant layout changes
- Renovations that involve structural changes
- Extensive upgrades to older Vancouver houses
- Projects that need several trades and consultants working together
Most of the renovation work Crana is set up to manage is substantial in scope, often beginning around the $150K range and increasing with structural complexity, size and finish level.
If you’re not sure where your project fits, call us and we’ll tell you honestly.
Credentials
Licensed, warrantied and on the record
Crana Construction is a member of HAVAN and CHBA, and was general contractor on every project shown on this page. More about Crana
- Est. 2016General Contractor
- ≈ 50 yearsCombined founder experience
- #46399BC Housing Licensed Residential Builder
- 2-5-10Travelers Canada 2-5-10 Home Warranty
FAQ
Renovation questions
What size renovation projects does Crana take on?
Mostly substantial renovations: whole-home work, layout and structural changes, and projects involving several trades. Many begin around the $150,000 range and increase with structural complexity, size and finish level. If your project is smaller, call us and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
Does Crana work on older Vancouver homes?
Yes. Our renovation work includes a character house in Kitsilano that was lifted, set on a new foundation and fully re-framed, and homes for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation that were stripped back to their structure and rebuilt to current code.
Can Crana coordinate engineers and other consultants?
Yes. As general contractor, Crana coordinates with the structural engineer, designer and any other consultants your project needs.
Does Crana handle permits?
Where permits, engineering or consultants are required, Crana coordinates the process as part of pre-construction.
Can we stay in the house during construction?
It depends on the scope. Staying may be possible for some renovations, but whole-home work, structural changes, or work that shuts off water, power or heating often makes it impractical or unsafe. We discuss this during site review, based on the scope, safety, services and sequencing.
How early should we contact Crana?
Earlier is better, ideally while plans are still being developed, so construction input on structure, sequencing and cost can be considered before drawings are finalized.
How does pricing work for a major renovation?
Pricing is prepared during pre-construction once the scope is defined, so you see it before construction starts. Because existing houses can hide conditions, we also identify the parts of the scope that carry the most uncertainty.
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