Our homes are likely to be the largest investments that we make in our lifetimes. That applies financially, but sometimes also emotionally. Some may find the perfect dream home, move in, and live there for years or decades in complete contentment. Other times, we might find a home that needs a bit of fixing up, but which has tremendous potential. In still other cases, we might design and build our own dream home, detailing and carefully defining every aspect from doors and floors to windows and lighting with our multi award winning general contractor North Vancouver team.
The latter situations can be very rewarding. Building or renovating to match your vision means that your home will have the look and functionality that is important to you; it will become a reflection of your desires. To accomplish this will require the help of a general contractor that can work with you and understand precisely what you are hoping to achieve. Entrusting someone with your home can be a bit intimidating, so it is worth taking the time to find the right fit for you.
A general contractor will serve as a coordinator of the whole process and will work with you through the entire project, from conception to completion. They will oversee the entire project in order to bring your vision to life, but what exactly does that involve?
North Vancouver runs from the harbour to the mountainside, and the ground changes the whole way up. What a build asks for here is decided less by the house than by the lot it stands on and the authority that governs it.
Much of North Vancouver sits on ground that is anything but flat. Steep grades, glacial till and fractured bedrock are ordinary conditions here, and a lot that falls away from the road usually needs engineered retaining, slope stabilization and a drainage design before anything is framed.
The City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver are separate jurisdictions with their own bylaws, zoning and permit processes. A build on one side of a boundary street can face a different approval path from the one opposite it, and knowing which applies before design begins saves months.
The District of North Vancouver publishes mapped development permit area overlays, and a property title may also carry a covenant relating to slope hazards. Shakespeare Homes can help you identify where your lot stands during an initial consultation.
Freeze-thaw cycles and the kind of rainfall the North Shore gets will turn a poorly drained slope into a liability. Drainage here is not a finishing detail, it is designed at the same time as the structure and it is the difference between a wall that stands and one that moves.
Every North Vancouver neighbourhood sits on different ground and asks for something different. These are the areas we work in most.
An established village centre with mature trees and a settled street pattern. Much of the housing stock is post-war and a good deal of it is now being renovated or replaced, on gentle to moderate slopes where the main constraints are setbacks, tree retention and keeping a new home in scale with its neighbours.
Forest edge living on larger lots, with creeks running through the area and a great many homes from the 1960s and 1970s coming up for renewal. Riparian setbacks near the creeks and the drainage that comes with a forested slope are the two things that shape most projects here.
Steep, rocky and forested, with narrow access roads and waterfront lots that often come with the hardest access on the North Shore. Rock excavation, retaining and getting material onto the site at all are the early questions, long before anything about the house itself.
View lots stepping down towards the harbour, under the City of North Vancouver rather than the District. Grand Boulevard carries real heritage character, so work here is usually about adding space and performance to an older home without losing the street it belongs to.
Recognition
HAVAN
CHBA NATIONAL AWARDS · WINNER
GEORGIE AWARDS · WINNER
HAVAN · WINNER
Certified, licensed and a member in good standing
Every service we offer is available across North Vancouver. Follow any of them for how we work and what a project involves.
We deliver beautifully crafted residences with exceptional quality, value, and high performance.
Structural and aesthetic major renovations that improve functionality, comfort, value, and deep energy retrofit.
Reconfigured layouts, custom cabinetry and upgraded finishes that improve flow, storage, lighting and gathering space.
Tranquil, refined retreats built with equal attention to design, everyday practicality and long-term durability.
Dream retreats built for you and generations of family time.
Ecologically-friendly landscape design and custom outdoor living solutions for year-round use.
Expert knowledge of geotechnical conditions, steep slope stabilization, storm water management, and retainment.
Engineered walls and drainage that hold a hillside, expand usable land, and quietly do their job for decades.
“I had a vision for my kitchen as a warm, liveable, inviting space for my family which has materialized and I could not be happier. At each step of the way, Mark informed me of what was happening, gave suggestions, offered ideas and always let me know the cost involved. He was easy to get a hold of for questions… The end result for me was just what I wanted.”
C. Walker
NORTH VANCOUVER
“As the last sub-trade out of a home, we’ll be the first to say that Shakespeare Homes is the most professional general contractor we’ve ever worked for. Counter to our industry’s culture, Shakespeare is continuously, without fail, pushing the envelope on efficient subtrade orchestration, job site organization and lasting quality. They take every one of their projects seriously and the end result is seriously good.”
Anthony Pavlakovic
NORTH VANCOUVER
“Our project would prove to be one of the most challenging the company has completed due to the design, the creek in the back yard and the slope of the lot, etc. Mark knew exactly what we wanted and was confident they could give us our dream home. There would be many obstacles and unknowns to overcome but they were all handled with ease by Shakespeare.”
Mike & Crystel
NORTH VANCOUVER
“We know this project was complex because we wanted to live in our home throughout the reno. We appreciated the care you consistently took to cordon off the construction areas from the living areas and to regularly clean up the work areas, especially on Fridays. Things were also made easier by the consistently positive and courteous attitudes of your primary workers throughout this process”
Faith & Terry
NORTH VANCOUVER
“From the moment we met Mark we knew that he was extremely organized and detail oriented. He expertly guided us through our renovation from the stage of conception to completion. One of the things that impressed us the most was Mark’s ability to manage our renovation and the people who work with him.”
Mary Fletcher & Glenn Klatt
NORTH VANCOUVER
“They completed an extensive renovation to our townhouse on time in spite of a extremely tight schedule. Shakespeare's management and staff was very professional and competent, they made a difficult situation as easy as possible. Their trades were very competent and easy to work with always coming when they said they would be here.”
Cheryl & Bob
NORTH VANCOUVER
“Just wanted to pass along our gratitude to you and all of your crew for doing such a great job. Not only are we happy with the having experienced the renovation, but we see no reason to move regardless of what comes our way. Thanks for making our house a home...”
Doug Andrusiak
NORTH VANCOUVER
“Since they have done so many high-quality homes on the North Shore, they have a wealth of ideas about house features to consider that add value to your home and improve your life - I highly value their advice. We are thrilled with the results”
Angela & Desmond
NORTH VANCOUVER
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about building in North Vancouver.
There is rarely a single deciding factor. Budget, site conditions, timelines, municipal requirements, and design goals all play important roles.
Ultimately, the best decision is the one that creates a home that meets your family’s needs, supports your lifestyle, and represents a sound long-term investment. Our team helps clients evaluate the options and understand the opportunities and trade-offs involved in each approach.
Projects may be delivered using a fixed-price agreement, a cost-plus arrangement, or a hybrid approach depending on the scope and complexity of the work.
Renovations in particular can uncover conditions that are not visible until construction begins. For this reason, transparency and communication are critical. We provide detailed scopes of work, discuss potential contingencies in advance, and review any proposed changes before additional work proceeds, helping clients remain informed throughout the project.
A realistic budget begins with understanding the scope of work, desired finishes, and project objectives. During the planning process, we help clients establish budget expectations and identify areas where costs may vary.
We also recommend maintaining a contingency allowance, particularly for renovation projects where unforeseen conditions can arise. Many financial institutions suggest reserving approximately 10–20% of the project budget for contingencies.
Yes. Shakespeare Homes works closely with homeowners, consultants, and local municipalities to help guide projects through the permitting and approval process.
Requirements vary depending on the scope of work, property location, and applicable regulations. Our experience working throughout North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Sea to Sky region allows us to help navigate these processes efficiently while keeping clients informed at every stage.
The earlier, the better. Engaging the builder during the planning and design stages often leads to better project outcomes, more accurate budgeting, and fewer surprises during construction.
Early involvement allows us to provide input on feasibility, site conditions, construction methods, scheduling, and budget considerations before plans are finalized, helping create a smoother path from concept to completion.
Each home represents a unique collaboration between homeowners, designers, consultants, and our construction team.
From custom homes to transformative renovations, these projects highlight the quality, care, and attention to detail.
Tell us about your project and we will come back to you within one working day.
