Our Services
Renovation Services in North Vancouver
Caniversal is a licensed renovation contractor based in North Vancouver. We work on kitchens, bathrooms, basements and whole home renovations across the North Shore, and we handle the parts most homeowners dread, which is the permits, the trades and the scheduling.
This page covers what we do and how we work with you. If you already know what you need, the links below go straight to the details.
What We Do
Kitchen Renovation
Cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring and layout improvements, from a straightforward refresh to a full kitchen rebuild.
Home Renovation
Whole home renovations, multi-room and phased projects, basement finishing and legal secondary suites. This is where layout changes, structural work and mechanical upgrades come in.
Bathroom Renovation
Ensuites, main bathrooms and powder rooms, with waterproofing, tile work, showers and vanities handled properly.
How We Price a Renovation
Homeowners are often surprised by how differently three contractors can quote the same project. Usually it is not because one is cheap and one is expensive. It is because they are quoting different things.
There are two ways a renovation gets priced, and it is worth understanding both before you compare quotes.
Fixed Price
One number for a defined scope. You know what you are paying before work starts, and we carry the risk if something takes longer than expected. This works well when the scope is clear and the home does not hold too many unknowns. Most of our projects are priced this way.
Cost Plus
You pay the actual cost of materials and labour, plus an agreed management fee. It is more transparent about where every dollar goes, and it tends to suit older homes where nobody can honestly say what is behind the walls until demolition starts.
What a Real Quote Contains
Whichever structure you choose, a quote worth comparing should tell you:
- Exactly what is included, room by room and trade by trade
- What is specifically excluded, which is usually where the surprises hide
- Whether appliances, fixtures and finishes are in the number or allowances
- The payment schedule and what triggers each payment
- A contingency figure, stated openly rather than buried
If a quote is one page with a single number on it, that is not a quote. That is a guess.
Licences and Credentials
Caniversal is licensed and insured, registered with WorkSafeBC, and certified with Technical Safety BC.
We are a Lutron Pro residential partner for lighting control systems, and a Home Depot Pro Xtra member, which helps us source materials at better pricing and pass that through on projects.
We have been renovating homes on the North Shore since 2016.
Where We Work
We work across North Vancouver and West Vancouver, along with Vancouver and nearby North Shore communities. That includes Lynn Valley, Central Lonsdale, Lower Lonsdale, Deep Cove, Edgemont Village, Blueridge, Canyon Heights, British Properties, Dundarave, Ambleside and Caulfeild.
We are based in North Vancouver, so the North Shore is not a market we drive out to. It is where we work every week.
What North Vancouver Homeowners Say
Working With Us - Common Questions
1. Do you charge for estimates?
No. The initial consultation and estimate are free. We will come out, look at the space and give you honest direction, including telling you if we think the project is not worth doing right now.
2. Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We hold a valid business licence, carry liability insurance, are registered with WorkSafeBC, and are certified with Technical Safety BC. We are happy to provide documentation before you sign anything.
3. Do you provide a written contract?
Always. Scope of work, price, payment schedule, timeline and warranty terms, all in writing before work begins.
4. How do payments work?
Payments are structured against project milestones and set out in the contract, so you always know what is due and when. We do not ask for large upfront deposits.
5. What happens if I want to change something partway through?
We write up a change order with the cost and schedule impact, and it needs your approval before we proceed. Nothing gets added to your bill without you signing off on it first.
6. Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, a written labour warranty on completed work, on top of the manufacturer warranties that come with materials and fixtures.
7. Do you use subcontractors?
For specialized trades like electrical and plumbing, yes, which is standard across the industry and required for licensed work. We use the same trades repeatedly, they are licensed and insured, and our project manager remains responsible for the whole job.
8. Do you handle permits?
Yes. We prepare and submit permit applications to the District or City of North Vancouver, coordinate inspections, and manage strata approval packages for condo and townhome projects.
9. How far out are you booking?
It varies through the year. Give us a call and we will tell you honestly what our current availability looks like rather than holding a spot we cannot deliver on.
10. Do you work on commercial projects?
Our focus is residential renovation, including detached homes, townhomes and condos. For tenant improvement or commercial work, get in touch and we will tell you whether it is a fit.
Let's Talk About Your Project
Tell us what you are thinking about and we will give you a straight answer on scope, budget and timing.