Restaurant Build-Out Cost in Vancouver BC: 2026 Complete Breakdown
A restaurant build-out in Vancouver BC costs between $180 and $350 per square foot for construction in 2026. For a typical quick-service restaurant (QSR) in a 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft shell space, that works out to $250,000 to $450,000. A full-service dining room with a custom bar in 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft runs $500,000 to $900,000 or more.
These numbers are construction costs only. They exclude franchise fees, loose equipment supplied by the franchisor or operator, furniture, signage, design and drawing fees, and GST. The total cost to open a restaurant in Vancouver, including all soft costs and pre-opening expenses, typically runs $400,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on the concept.
Restaurant operators who want the construction managed under a fixed-price contract work with a specialist restaurant build-out contractor such as Verterra Builds, which completes full-scope restaurant and franchise locations across Greater Vancouver and Victoria, including Subway and A&W locations in the Lower Mainland. The numbers in this guide reflect what Verterra actually quotes and builds, not national survey averages.
Cost Per Square Foot by Restaurant Type (Vancouver 2026)
| Restaurant Type | Size | Cost per Sq Ft | Total Construction Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-service (QSR) | 800 to 1,200 sq ft | $250 to $320 | $200,000 to $384,000 |
| Fast casual | 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft | $220 to $300 | $264,000 to $600,000 |
| Casual dining | 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft | $200 to $280 | $400,000 to $980,000 |
| Full-service with bar | 2,500 to 5,000 sq ft | $250 to $350 | $625,000 to $1,750,000 |
| Franchise QSR (standard) | 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft | $270 to $340 | $270,000 to $510,000 |
| Food hall stall | 200 to 400 sq ft | $300 to $450 | $60,000 to $180,000 |
Franchise locations run slightly higher than independent restaurants of comparable size because brand standards specify exact materials, equipment brands, finishes, and layout configurations that limit cost-saving substitutions.
What Drives Restaurant Build-Out Costs in Vancouver
Commercial Kitchen: the Most Expensive Square Footage
The kitchen is typically 25 to 40 percent of total restaurant square footage but 50 to 65 percent of total construction cost. This ratio is higher in Vancouver than in markets with lower labour costs.
The main cost drivers in a commercial kitchen:
Ventilation hood system. A code-compliant Type 1 hood with grease-rated exhaust duct, makeup air unit, and fire suppression system runs $30,000 to $80,000 installed. The BC Fire Code and Vancouver Building Bylaw both govern hood design. A mechanical engineer must stamp the hood drawings for permit.
Plumbing intensity. A commercial kitchen requires multiple floor drains at the code-specified locations, a grease trap or grease interceptor sized to the kitchen's grease load, a three-compartment sink, and hand sinks at each work station per Fraser Health's food premises regulations. Each of these requires a permitted plumber and an inspection.
Three-phase electrical. Commercial ovens, convection steamers, walk-in cooler compressors, and dishwashers typically require three-phase 208V or 600V power. Most Vancouver retail spaces have single-phase or limited three-phase service. A service upgrade or feeder extension from the building's electrical room adds $15,000 to $40,000 to the project.
Stainless steel surfaces and finishes. Fraser Health requires smooth, impervious, and easily cleanable surfaces on walls and floors in the food preparation and warewashing areas. Stainless steel wall cladding, epoxy or tile floors with coved bases, and stainless steel work surfaces are standard in a compliant commercial kitchen.
Dining Room and Bar
The dining room is the least expensive part of a restaurant on a per-square-foot basis -- typically $100 to $180 per sq ft for a standard casual dining finish. The bar adds cost, particularly if it includes a backlit feature wall, custom millwork, draft beer lines, and a glass washer with its own plumbing connection.
Dining room cost breakdown for a 1,500 sq ft casual restaurant:
| Component | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Framing and drywall | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Flooring (tile or LVT) | $15,000 to $30,000 |
| Ceilings (tile or drywall) | $12,000 to $25,000 |
| Lighting and electrical | $25,000 to $45,000 |
| Millwork (host stand, banquettes) | $30,000 to $80,000 |
| Painting and finishes | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| Washrooms | $20,000 to $40,000 |
Permits and Inspections
Restaurant construction in Vancouver requires the following permits, all of which we manage as part of our fixed-price contracts:
- City of Vancouver building permit: $8,000 to $20,000 in fees depending on project value. Current turnaround: 8 to 14 weeks for complete applications.
- Plumbing permit: Issued by Technical Safety BC through the licensed plumber.
- Mechanical permit: Required for the hood system and makeup air unit.
- Electrical permit: Issued through Technical Safety BC.
- Fraser Health food premises inspection: Required before operating permit is issued. The inspection verifies compliance with BC Regulation 210/99 (Food Premises Regulations). Building to Fraser Health standards from the permit stage means passing on the first inspection.
How Much Does a Franchise Restaurant Build-Out Cost in Vancouver?
Franchise restaurant build-outs add a layer of cost that independent restaurant operators do not face: brand standards.
Every major QSR franchise has a construction manual that specifies approved suppliers for everything from flooring materials to exhaust fans to the colour of the grout. These specifications exist to ensure brand consistency across every location, and franchisors enforce them through field construction representatives who review the build at key milestones.
Subway is one of the most common franchise build-outs in the Vancouver market. A standard Subway of 1,000 to 1,200 sq ft in a Metro Vancouver inline retail space typically costs $280,000 to $420,000 to build, depending on the existing condition of the space and the specific layout requirements of the site. Verterra Builds has completed Subway locations in the Lower Mainland.
A&W units are typically larger (1,200 to 1,800 sq ft for an inline location) and have more complex kitchen requirements than a Subway, including a full cooking line. A standard inline A&W build-out runs $350,000 to $550,000. Verterra Builds has completed A&W locations in the Greater Vancouver area.
What franchise builds cost more:
- Approved-supplier materials are often not the cheapest option available
- Franchisor construction representatives conduct inspections during the build and can require changes that create scope additions
- Documentation requirements are more extensive than an independent restaurant
- Brand-standard specifications may require special-order millwork or fixtures with long lead times
The Fraser Health Inspection: Why Getting It Right Matters
The Fraser Health Authority food premises inspection is the final gate before a restaurant can open in Metro Vancouver. Island Health serves the same function in Greater Victoria.
The inspection covers hand sink placement and accessibility, surface materials in the kitchen, ventilation performance, equipment clearances, lighting levels in food prep areas, and waste management provisions. A restaurant that passes on the first visit opens on schedule. One that fails has remediation work, a second inspection booking, and delay costs.
Contractors who have built multiple compliant restaurants know exactly what inspectors look for. We build to Fraser Health standards from the permit-drawing stage so the inspection is a formality, not a risk.
How to Compare Restaurant Build-Out Quotes in Vancouver
When comparing quotes from multiple contractors, confirm the following:
Is the quote fixed-price or an estimate? A fixed-price contract protects you against cost overruns on defined scope. An estimate is a starting point that can increase as the build progresses.
Does the quote include all permits? Some contractors quote construction only and leave permit fees to the owner. The all-in number should include all permits and inspections.
Does the quote include the ventilation hood system? Hood systems are often excluded from preliminary quotes because they require final kitchen drawings to size. Confirm the hood is in scope before signing.
What is the contractor's health authority track record? Ask how many of their last ten restaurant projects passed the food premises inspection on the first visit.
What is the timeline guarantee? If you have a lease commencement date and an opening commitment, the contractor should be able to provide a milestone schedule with the quote.
Verterra Builds completes restaurant and franchise build-outs in Greater Vancouver and Victoria. Call (604) 690-3830 or view our restaurant build-out service page for more information.