Full-scope restaurant and hospitality construction, from shell to open, on schedule and on budget.
What's Included
Commercial kitchen design and build
Dining room and bar fit-outs
Health authority compliance
Hood, ventilation and exhaust systems
Permits, inspections and code compliance
On-schedule delivery for lease commitments
Serving Greater Vancouver
We complete restaurant build-outs projects across Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and surrounding municipalities. All projects include permit handling, Technical Safety BC inspections, and WorkSafeBC compliance.
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Restaurant Build-Out Contractor in Vancouver and Victoria, BC
A restaurant build-out is one of the most technically complex construction projects a business owner will undertake. Every day past your target open date costs revenue, and health authority and building code requirements leave no room for improvisation. Verterra Builds brings a developer's discipline to hospitality construction, with structured scheduling, transparent cost control, and trades coordination that keeps your project moving.
What a Restaurant Build-Out Actually Involves
Most hospitality spaces require work across every trade simultaneously: framing and drywall, commercial-grade plumbing for multiple hand sinks and floor drains, three-phase electrical for ovens and walk-in coolers, mechanical for ventilation hoods and exhaust, millwork for the bar and host stand, and finish work on every surface your guests will see. We manage all of it under a single contract, with one point of contact for the owner and one schedule everyone builds to.
Health Authority and Building Code Compliance
BC health authority requirements for commercial food service are detailed and non-negotiable. Hand sink placement, floor drain locations, surface materials, ventilation exhaust rates, and equipment clearances all need to be right before the inspection, not discovered as issues at the end. We build to these standards from the permit stage, which means fewer surprises and a faster path to your operating permit.
Franchise and Multi-Location Build-Outs
Franchise build-outs add a layer of coordination: brand standards from the franchisor, landlord-side base building requirements, and your own timeline pressure to hit the opening window. We have experience aligning all three. Whether it's your first location or a rollout, we deliver the consistency and documentation franchisors expect.
Timeline and Budget Discipline
Restaurant operators are signing leases with opening commitments. We quote fixed-price contracts, build detailed milestone schedules, and flag scope changes before they become surprises. Our approach is modeled on how developers manage construction, with written decisions, documented changes, and a budget that reflects reality at every stage.
Restaurant Build-Outs frequently asked questions
How long does a restaurant build-out take in Vancouver?
A full restaurant build-out from permit application to certificate of occupancy typically takes 10–20 weeks in Greater Vancouver depending on the size of the space, the complexity of the kitchen, and permit turnaround times. Shell spaces with minimal existing infrastructure run longer. We provide a detailed milestone schedule at the quote stage.
Do you handle the permits for a restaurant build-out?
Yes. We manage the full permit package: building permit, plumbing permit, mechanical permit, and electrical permit. For food service spaces we also coordinate with the health authority on the food premises inspection. We have experience navigating City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver municipalities, and City of Victoria permit offices.
What does a restaurant build-out cost in Vancouver BC?
A restaurant build-out in Greater Vancouver typically runs $150–$350 per square foot depending on the quality of finishes, kitchen complexity, and existing infrastructure in the space. A 2,000 sq ft quick-service restaurant in a newer shell: $300,000–$500,000. A full-service dining room with a custom bar: $500,000–$900,000+. We provide fixed-price quotes after a site visit and scope review.
Can you build out a franchise restaurant to brand standards?
Yes. We work with franchise disclosure documents and brand-standard specs, coordinate with the franchisor's approved supplier list, and document the build to the level franchise operations teams require. We have completed franchise build-outs for national and regional food service brands.
Do you do commercial kitchen construction specifically?
Yes. Commercial kitchen construction is a core part of our restaurant work. We build to NSF, health authority, and BC Building Code requirements: floor drains, stainless steel surfaces, ventilation hood systems with makeup air, exhaust fan sizing, grease trap installation, and equipment rough-in for each station.
Can you work on an occupied building or mall food court?
Yes. Mall and occupied-building restaurant build-outs require after-hours and phased work to meet landlord and mall management requirements. We schedule to those constraints and have experience working in occupied retail environments where noise, dust, and access windows are tightly controlled.
Do you serve Victoria BC for restaurant construction?
Yes. Verterra Builds serves both Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria. Restaurant construction in Victoria follows the same BC Building Code and health authority standards, and we maintain working relationships with Victoria-area trades and suppliers.
