Excavating beside a neighbour: what the code requires of you
The code has an article about protecting adjoining property, and it is written as an obligation rather than a courtesy. On a standard Vancouver lot with a building next door, it applies to most excavations of any depth.
Mark Van Ek · October 27, 2026 · 8 min
When your project actually needs a geotechnical engineer
For a house, the code lists the exact conditions that trigger it. Underpinning is on the list. So is shoring. And the trigger can appear halfway through an excavation that started out ordinary.
Mark Van Ek · October 19, 2026 · 9 min
Sound between units: what the code requires, and the noise it ignores
The BC Building Code gives you two ways to comply and one large exclusion. Footstep noise, the complaint we hear most from people living in new multi-unit buildings, is not covered at all.
Mark Van Ek · October 16, 2026 · 8 min
How we build quality control into every multiplex project
Quality on a multiplex isn't an inspection at the end, it's a series of checkpoints built into every phase. Here's how we catch problems while they're still cheap to fix.
Mark Van Ek · August 25, 2026 · 7 min
What to expect during multiplex construction in Vancouver
From the day the excavator arrives to the day you get keys, a Vancouver multiplex build moves through predictable phases. Here is what each one looks like on the ground, the inspections, the draw schedule, the deficiency list, and the warranty that starts at the end.
Mark Van Ek · August 23, 2026 · 7 min
BC Energy Step Code: what it means for a new multiplex
The BC Energy Step Code sets how energy-efficient a new multiplex has to be, and it shapes decisions from the wall assemblies to the heating system. Here's what it means for a Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley build in plain language.
Mark Van Ek · August 12, 2026 · 8 min
What drives construction cost on a small multiplex
Two fourplexes on neighbouring Vancouver lots can cost very different amounts to build. The reasons are knowable, site conditions, servicing, design, code level, mechanical systems, and finishes each pull the number. Here is what actually moves construction cost, without a single invented figure.
Mark Van Ek · July 22, 2026 · 7 min
Let's talk about your property
A conversation, not a commitment.
Whether you're curious about the multiplex value of your land or looking to partner on a missing-middle build, we're here to start the conversation.