The 10 Best General Contractors in Vancouver, BC

A general contractor runs the job from start to finish: pricing it, booking and supervising the trades, ordering materials, arranging inspections and keeping the schedule. You deal with one firm instead of hiring the framer, plumber, electrician and drywaller yourself.

Usually, for anything structural, for new plumbing or electrical work, and for most basement finishing, additions and decks. Your municipality sets the rules and issues the permit. Many general contractors apply for it as part of the job, so agree who is responsible before you sign.

A written scope of work, the price and how changes will be priced, a payment schedule tied to stages of the work, start and finish dates, who pulls the permits, and the warranty on workmanship. Pay as stages are completed rather than most of the price up front.

Managing the trades yourself means booking, ordering and supervising each one, arranging the inspections and absorbing the delay when one trade holds up the next. A general contractor does that work and answers for the result. Running it yourself suits small jobs that need one or two trades.

Ask the firm for a clearance letter from WorkSafeBC. The letter is free online and shows whether the firm is registered and paying its premiums; WorkSafeBC warns that a homeowner who hires an unregistered firm can be held liable for premiums owed on the work.

Building permits for homes in Vancouver come from the City of Vancouver. For general contracting, structural work, additions, new plumbing and electrical work and basement finishing usually need one. Many firms apply for the permit as part of the job, so agree who does it before you sign.