Mountain and Coastal Engineering Requirements
Homes must account for seismic activity, drainage control, slope stabilization, and heavy rainfall. We partner with top geotechnical and structural engineers to design safe, resilient homes.
We Build In The Sea to Sky
Along the Sea to Sky, a home is about more than where you live. It’s about how you want to live. For some, that means a full-time residence in Squamish, close to the trails, the rock, and a growing community. For others, it’s a weekend retreat in Lions Bay or Furry Creek, a place to trade the city for the sound of rain on cedar and the view across Howe Sound. Some find a property with all the right bones that needs a new kitchen, a refreshed bathroom, or a full modernization to suit the way they use it. Others choose to build from scratch, shaping a home around the rock, the trees, and the light.
Building or renovating here is unlike anywhere else in the Lower Mainland. Lots are often steep and forested, homes closest to the water take the brunt of the salt air, wind, and driving rain, and every load of material arrives by the Sea to Sky Highway. Approvals also differ along the corridor, from the Village of Lions Bay to the District of Squamish to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. The right contractor plans for all of this from day one, so your project stands up to the setting as well as to enjoy it.
A general contractor serves as the coordinator of the entire process and works alongside you from the first site visit to the final walkthrough. They manage the engineers, the logistics, and the many details in between to bring your vision to life, but what exactly does that involve in the Sea to Sky?
Building in the Sea to Sky
The Sea to Sky presents unique construction challenges that require specialized knowledge and careful planning. Steep lots, ocean exposure, wind, and moisture demand a higher level of engineering and building science than typical residential projects. Shakespeare Homes designs and constructs homes specifically for these conditions, ensuring long-term durability without sacrificing architectural beauty.
Privacy, Access and Layout Challenges
Many properties have narrow driveways, tight staging areas, and dramatic elevation changes. Our project managers tailor construction logistics to ensure efficient, safe building.
A Climate That Rewards Thoughtful Design
From bright ocean sun to intense winter storms, the Sea to Sky demands high-performance materials, correct siting, and durable exteriors.
Architectural Style That Fits the Setting
Glass-forward modern design, natural stone, cedar accents, and open floorplans define the best homes along this coast, and we specialize in bringing these elements together harmoniously.
Sea to Sky Neighbourhoods We Build In
The corridor runs from Howe Sound up into the alpine, and the ground changes as it climbs. These are the communities we build in.
Lions Bay
A village of view lots between the highway and the water. Close to the shore the building envelope takes salt air, driving rain off Howe Sound and wind exposure, and the detailing of cladding, flashing and glazing is what decides how the house ages. Benched above the highway the view is usually west, so the glazing and the roof overhangs matter as much as the structure. In the older heart of the village the constraint is access and staging rather than slope, and a build is planned around how material reaches the lot and how little the street is disrupted while it does.
Furry Creek
Set between the golf course, the creek and the shoreline. Lots here are wooded and often sloped, and a build is planned around keeping the trees and the rock that make the setting worth building in.
Britannia Beach
The lots closest to the Sound take the weather first. Salt air, wind off the water and driving rain all ask more of a building envelope than a sheltered site does, and the cladding, flashing and glazing details are what decide how a house here ages. Above the road the ground steepens quickly and the views open west across the water, so engineered retaining and a drainage design usually come before the house is drawn.
Squamish
The communities along this stretch share one constraint before any of their own: everything arrives by the Sea to Sky highway. Access, staging and the delivery of materials are planned early here, because a site that is awkward to reach is the part of the schedule that moves.
Recognition
HAVAN
Chair of Honour Award, Mark Cooper
CHBA NATIONAL AWARDS · WINNER
Best Whole Home Renovation $500K–$800K
GEORGIE AWARDS · WINNER
Custom Home Builder of the Year
HAVAN · WINNER
Grand HAVAN Award, Residential Renovator of the Year
Certified, licensed and a member in good standing
Services
Every service we offer is available across The Sea to Sky. Follow any of them for how we work and what a project involves.
Custom Homes
We deliver beautifully crafted residences with exceptional quality, value, and high performance.
Whole Home Renovations
Structural and aesthetic major renovations that improve functionality, comfort, value, and deep energy retrofit.
Kitchen Renovations
Reconfigured layouts, custom cabinetry and upgraded finishes that improve flow, storage, lighting and gathering space.
Bathroom Renovations
Tranquil, refined retreats built with equal attention to design, everyday practicality and long-term durability.
Recreational Homes
Dream retreats built for you and generations of family time.
Landscaping & Outdoor Living
Ecologically-friendly landscape design and custom outdoor living solutions for year-round use.
Complex Site Development
Expert knowledge of geotechnical conditions, steep slope stabilization, storm water management, and retainment.
Retaining Walls
Engineered walls and drainage that hold a hillside, expand usable land, and quietly do their job for decades.
Testimonials
“We are very satisfied with the finished product and would definitely recommend the Shakespeare Team. As a matter- of-fact, we have just re-hired them... Once we made the decision to renovate our basement, the rest was easy and basically involved a friendly call to Mark Cooper at Shakespeare Homes. Their reliability, professionalism and creativity leave no worries for the home owner.”
Bob & Penny Gayton
“I found Mark and his team to be extremely professional. Not only was I impressed by the quality of the work, the job was done on time and at a reasonable price...”
Bro Jake | Rock 101
“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
“Mark's crew and trades people are outstanding in their work. We consider them skilled artisans. They work incredibly hard, paying great attention to detail and caring tremendously about their work...”
Cathy & Dick Brighton
“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
“The laneway home(Coach house)was finished to a very high level and the occupant, our family member, is enjoying this beautiful home”
Colin & Karen
“It was a pleasure working with such a fair and honest company, as Shakespeare Homes. Your crew always did what they said they would, and when they would...”
Dallas & Peter Maddocks
“We found Mark to be conscientious and diligent in getting the work done on time and on budget. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mark Cooper to anyone who is looking for a trustworthy and professional contractor...”
David McLennan
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a custom home in the Sea to Sky typically cost?
Costs vary based on square footage, terrain, access, and finish level. Coastal hillside construction requires advanced engineering and materials, which are reflected in pricing. We build transparent budgets aligned with your priorities.
Do you manage permits and approvals?
Yes. We coordinate with architects, engineers, and local authorities to manage approvals and documentation, helping streamline the process and reduce delays.
Can you build on steep or challenging lots?
Yes. Many properties along this coast involve complex terrain. We specialize in hillside construction, structural engineering, and drainage planning required for safe, long-lasting builds.
Do you only build new homes, or do you also renovate?
We do both. Many properties in the corridor are ideal candidates for major modernizations, energy upgrades, or full rebuilds.
Can you help us maximize ocean views?
Absolutely. View optimization is one of the key advantages of working with a builder deeply familiar with this coast, its topography and its sunlight patterns.
Do you build energy-efficient homes?
Absolutely. We incorporate high-performance insulation, modern window systems, and advanced building envelopes designed for coastal climates.
Can you work with my architect or designer?
We regularly collaborate with client-selected architects and designers. Our role is to execute the vision while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget control.
Portfolio
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.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
Tell us about your project and we will come back to you within one working day.