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.
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 read
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
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
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
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
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
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.