Journal
The Journal.
Plain-language guides to custom home building and renovation, plus multiplex development, zoning, and what BC's new housing rules mean for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley homeowners and investors.
Custom Homes
Laneway Homes and Garden Suites: What Owners Should Know
A laneway home is a small, complete house in your backyard. For families housing a parent or an adult child, or owners adding rental income, it is often the most practical thing a lot can support.
Mark Van Ek · September 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Custom Homes
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Metro Vancouver?
From first conversation to keys, a custom home is a multi-year process for most families. Here is what each stage takes, which parts you control, and where schedules usually slip.
Mark Van Ek · September 14, 2026 · 7 min
Renovations
Adding a Second Storey or Building New: How to Decide
Going up gets you space without giving up yard, but it puts the entire existing house under review. Here is the framework we use with homeowners deciding between a second storey and starting fresh.
Mark Van Ek · September 10, 2026 · 7 min
Renovations
Heritage Home Restoration in Vancouver: What Owners Should Know
Restoring a character or heritage home means balancing what should be preserved against what needs to be replaced. Here is how owners in Vancouver approach that decision without losing the house or the budget.
Mark Van Ek · September 6, 2026 · 8 min
Renovations
Moving a House Instead of Demolishing It: How It Works in BC
Relocating a house sounds extreme until you compare it to demolition. Here is what makes a house moveable, what the permit path looks like in BC, and when relocation is genuinely the better option.
Mark Van Ek · September 2, 2026 · 6 min
Renovations
House Lifting in Vancouver: When Raising Your Home Makes Sense
Lifting a house is how many Vancouver owners get a full-height basement, a new foundation, and a legal suite out of a home they already like. Here is what the process involves and when it is worth doing.
Mark Van Ek · August 29, 2026 · 7 min
Renovations
Planning a Home Addition in Metro Vancouver: Cost, Permits, and Timeline
An addition can be the most efficient way to get the space your family needs without leaving the neighbourhood. Here is how the cost, the permit path, and the schedule usually work in Metro Vancouver.
Mark Van Ek · August 25, 2026 · 7 min
Renovations
Restoring a Heritage or Character Home in Vancouver: Process, Permits, and Cost Drivers
A heritage restoration runs on a different permit track and a different risk profile than an ordinary renovation. Here is what a Vancouver, New Westminster, or Burnaby heritage home actually involves, from the first status check to the final inspection.
Mark Van Ek · August 23, 2026 · 8 min
Renovations
What Does a Basement Renovation Cost in Metro Vancouver?
Finishing or reworking a basement is one of the most common renovations we get asked about. Here is what drives the budget in Metro Vancouver, from ceiling height and drainage to whether you are adding a legal suite.
Mark Van Ek · August 21, 2026 · 7 min
Custom Homes
Should You Buy Land First or Find the Builder First?
Learn how early builder input helps Vancouver homeowners assess lots, budget better, and avoid costly surprises.
Mark Van Ek · August 17, 2026 · 5 min
Renovations
High-Performance Homes in Vancouver: BC Energy Step Code
BC Energy Step Code affects custom home design, cost, and comfort. Here's what Metro Vancouver homeowners need to know before building.
Mark Van Ek · August 15, 2026 · 5 min
Renovations
Renovate the old house or take it down: how that decision actually gets made
The renovate versus demolish question rarely turns on one number. Here is the order a renovation contractor works through it, and the point where renovation stops making sense.
RealDream Contracting · August 14, 2026 · 5 min
Custom Homes
What is a Construction Manager, and Do You Actually Need One?
A construction manager coordinates planning, pricing, and trades while giving homeowners budget visibility. Here is how the role differs from a general contractor and when it is the right choice.
Mark Van Ek · August 11, 2026 · 6 min
News & Awards
Venture Pacific Named Georgie Awards Finalist in Three Categories for 2026
Georgie Awards finalist Vancouver: Venture Pacific earns three 2026 nominations for Kitsilano Horizon and Crescent Beach Revival.
Mark Van Ek · August 9, 2026 · 3 min
Contracts & Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate in Vancouver in 2026
Renovation costs Vancouver homeowners face in 2026 depend on scope, finishes, and planning. See realistic ranges before you start.
Mark Van Ek · August 7, 2026 · 5 min
Contracts & Costs
Why Construction Costs in Vancouver Move Fast, and How to Stay Ahead of Them
Construction costs Vancouver homeowners face can change quickly. Learn what drives pricing and how to stay in control early.
Mark Van Ek · August 5, 2026 · 4 min
News & Awards
Venture Pacific Wins HAVAN Award 2026 for Best Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen renovation award Vancouver winner Crescent Beach Revival by Venture Pacific and Purity Design earned a 2026 HAVAN Award.
Mark Van Ek · August 3, 2026 · 3 min
Custom Homes
Luxury Home Builder Collaboration That Protects Design Integrity
Luxury home builder collaboration helps protect design integrity through early planning, clear roles, and better construction coordination.
Mark Van Ek · August 1, 2026 · 5 min
Renovations
What Homeowners Wish They Knew Before Renovating
Renovation planning Vancouver starts with clarity around scope, budget, hidden conditions, and builder involvement.
Mark Van Ek · July 30, 2026 · 4 min
Contracts & Costs
Cost Plus vs Fixed Price Contracts in Vancouver
Custom home contract Vancouver guide comparing Cost Plus, Fixed Price, and CCDC 5B for custom homes and major renovations.
Mark Van Ek · July 28, 2026 · 7 min
Contracts & Costs
What Soft Costs Should You Expect Before Building a Custom Home?
Soft costs, the design, engineering, survey, permit, and consultant work that happens before construction begins, can have a major impact on a custom home budget. Here is what to expect and how to plan for them from day one.
Mark Van Ek · July 24, 2026 · 7 min
News & Awards
Venture Pacific Receives Certified Renovation Company Designation from CHBA BC
Venture Pacific Construction Management has been accepted as a Certified Renovation Company through CHBA BC, reflecting our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and quality in residential renovation across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Mark Van Ek · July 22, 2026 · 3 min
Custom Homes
How to Hire a Custom Builder You Can Trust
Discover how to hire a custom builder you can trust. Learn how clarity, transparency, and steady communication give homeowners peace of mind.
Mark Van Ek · July 22, 2026 · 6 min
Renovations
Energy-Efficient Upgrades That Boost Resale Value
Boost resale value in Metro Vancouver with smart energy-efficient upgrades. Learn which improvements buyers want from expert home builders.
Mark Van Ek · July 20, 2026 · 5 min
Custom Homes
How We Make Projects Simple for Designers and Architects
Save time and know your project is on track with a team you trust. Managing residential, commercial and institutional construction projects.
Mark Van Ek · July 18, 2026 · 6 min
Renovations
Custom Home or Major Renovation: Which Is Right for You?
Deciding between a custom home or major renovation? Learn how to choose the right path based on your goals, budget, and lifestyle.
Mark Van Ek · July 16, 2026 · 6 min
Contracts & Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Vancouver?
Per-square-foot averages are a reporting figure, not a pricing method. Here is what actually decides what a custom home costs in Vancouver, and where to look first.
Mark Van Ek · July 14, 2026 · 6 min
Contracts & Costs
The Truth About Cost-Plus Contracts
A recent video circulating on social media confidently claimed, “Cost-plus is always over.” If that’s been your experience, it likely means something critical was missing from the process. When managed properly, cost-plus contracts shouldn’t feel unpredictable or out of control.
Mark Van Ek · July 12, 2026 · 5 min
Custom Homes
The Importance of Selecting Your Builder Early
In a custom home build, timing is everything. One of the most critical decisions you will make is choosing your ‘Builder’ and the earlier you bring them on board, the better.
Mark Van Ek · July 10, 2026 · 3 min
Custom Homes
The Essential Role of an Interior Designer in Building a Custom Home
An interior designer custom home project needs early planning, clear selections, and strong coordination to keep design, budget, and construction aligned.
Mark Van Ek · July 8, 2026 · 5 min
Contracts & Costs
The Power of Certainty: Fixed Price Contracts in Residential Construction
A fixed price contract construction approach can offer cost certainty, clearer scope, and simpler financing for custom homes and major renovations.
Mark Van Ek · July 6, 2026 · 6 min
News & Awards
Venture Pacific Named 2023 Georgie Award Finalist for Kitsilano Home Renovation
A century-old Kitsilano home renovation by Venture Pacific and Phase One Design, named a 2023 Georgie Awards finalist in Vancouver.
Mark Van Ek · July 4, 2026 · 4 min
Contracts & Costs
The Building Permit Process in Vancouver, Step by Step
Building permit process Vancouver: required documents, pre-approvals, timelines, and key steps for new home construction explained.
Mark Van Ek · June 30, 2026 · 4 min
Renovations
Get the Best ROI With These 5 Home Efficiency Upgrades
Order matters more than the product list. Here are the five home efficiency upgrades that return the most in a Metro Vancouver climate, and the sequence that makes each one pay off.
Mark Van Ek · June 28, 2026 · 4 min
Common questions
About the Journal
What topics does the Venture Pacific Journal cover?
The Venture Pacific Journal covers Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley multiplex development, specifically BC's Bill 44 / SSMUH rules, GP/LP partnership structure for homeowners and investors, feasibility reviews, city-by-city permitting guides (Vancouver R1-1, Burnaby SSMUH, Richmond RSM), construction timelines, financing, and missing-middle housing strategy.
What is SSMUH and how does it affect Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley homeowners?
Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) is the BC provincial policy, enacted under Bill 44 in 2023, that requires municipalities to allow three to six homes on most standard residential lots without a rezoning. Lots within 400 metres of a frequent transit stop can add a sixth unit. This affects most Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley homeowners, including those in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and New Westminster, by dramatically expanding what they can build on land they already own.
What is a GP/LP partnership in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley multiplex development?
A GP/LP (General Partner / Limited Partner) partnership is a limited-partnership structure for real estate development. In a Venture Pacific arrangement, the homeowner contributes their land as equity and becomes a Limited Partner. Venture Pacific acts as General Partner, contributing capital, design, permitting, and construction management while carrying the construction risk. Proceeds are shared at project completion according to the partnership agreement.
How long does a Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley multiplex development take from lot to completion?
Most Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley SSMUH-compliant multiplex projects take 18 to 36 months from the start of the feasibility review to occupancy: six to twelve months for design and permitting, and twelve to eighteen months for construction. Projects requiring a rezoning or development variance permit take longer. Venture Pacific's Manchester Living project, for example, had its rezoning approved December 2023 and is expected to complete August 2026.
Does the Journal cover custom home building as well as multiplex development?
Yes. The Journal is organized into two sections: Build, covering custom homes, renovations, and construction contracts and costs, and Develop, covering multiplex development, SSMUH and Bill 44 zoning, GP/LP partnerships, and city-by-city permitting. Each post is tagged into one of these two sections so readers can filter to the topic that matches their project.
Can I get new Journal posts without checking the site?
Yes. The Journal publishes an RSS feed at venturepacific.ca/rss.xml that any feed reader can subscribe to. New posts on both the Build and Develop sides appear in the feed as soon as they go live, so a reader following BC housing policy or construction-cost updates does not need to check the page manually.
Are the Journal's zoning and permitting guides specific to one city?
No, they cover multiple Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley municipalities separately, because SSMUH rules differ by city. Vancouver's guide explains the R1-1 zone, Burnaby's covers its R1 SSMUH district, and Richmond's covers the RSM zone. A homeowner should read the guide for their specific municipality rather than assume the rules match a neighbouring city.
Who writes the Venture Pacific Journal?
Journal posts are written by Venture Pacific's own team members and credited by name on each post. Most bylines link to that person's team profile page. This keeps the byline tied to a real, identifiable person rather than an anonymous company account, so a reader can check who is behind the zoning, financing, or construction guidance in any given article.
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.