Architectural Diversity
Vancouver’s mix of heritage zones, craftsman-style streets, modernist homes, and oceanview estates calls for a builder who understands both tradition and innovation.
We Build In Vancouver
In Vancouver, a home is often the largest investment we will ever make, financially and often emotionally. Some find the perfect home in Shaughnessy or Point Grey and settle in happily for decades. Others find a character house in Dunbar, a family home in Kerrisdale, or a condominium in Kitsilano with tremendous potential, needing only a new kitchen, a reimagined bathroom, or a full interior renovation to make it their own. And some choose to build from the ground up, creating an architectural estate, a modern family home, or an ocean-view residence designed around the way they live.
Renovating or building to match your vision can be deeply rewarding. Whether it’s a chef’s kitchen, a spa-inspired ensuite, an updated condo, or a brand-new custom home, the result will look and function exactly the way you want. Achieving that requires a contractor who understands both what you hope to create and the realities of working in the city: heritage and character retention guidelines, tree protection bylaws, narrow and sloped lots, strata rules for condominium projects, and the City of Vancouver’s permitting process. Entrusting someone with your home is a significant decision, so it is worth taking the time to find the right fit.
A general contractor serves as the coordinator of the entire process and works alongside you from the first consultation to the final walkthrough. They oversee every stage to bring your vision to life, but what exactly does that involve in Vancouver?
Building in Vancouver
Site Constraints & Lot Complexity
Narrow lots in Kits, sloped terrain in Arbutus Ridge, and view corridors in Point Grey demand technical expertise and creative planning.
Environmental Considerations
From coastal moisture to seismic conditions to energy-performance requirements, Vancouver homes must be built to withstand the elements while staying efficient and comfortable year-round.
Strict Municipal Regulations
Development permits, tree protection bylaws, and character retention guidelines vary by neighbourhood. We manage these details to streamline approvals and avoid costly delays.
Vancouver Neighbourhoods We Build In
Every corner of Vancouver comes with its own architectural identity, bylaw considerations, and lifestyle expectations. We help homeowners design and build custom homes across the city’s most sought-after communities:
Shaughnessy
grand estates, heritage considerations, luxury craftsmanship
Point Grey / West Point Grey
ocean-facing architecture, elevated structural needs, premium materials
Kitsilano
contemporary coastal homes, laneway integration, energy-efficient design
Dunbar & Kerrisdale
family-centred layouts, traditional meets modern architecture
Arbutus Ridge & Cambie Corridor
sloped lots, high-performance building envelopes, optimized city views
Southlands
large lots, equestrian zoning considerations, estate-style homes
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 Vancouver. 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
“Shakespeare Homes was professional, responsive to our concerns and provided design suggestions throughout our bathroom renovations. The trades were courteous and worked to high standards. Mark ensured client satisfaction with the finished product and was friendly and approachable throughout the renovation.”
Alistair Duncan & Maureen Hornak
“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
“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
“The work was finished as projected, on time and within budget with great attention to details, even down to the replacement of the mail box near the front entrance. Kudos”
Basil Lagopoulos
“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
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work on sloped or challenging lots?
Absolutely. Many Vancouver neighbourhoods—such as Point Grey and Arbutus Ridge—come with grade changes or structural requirements. We are highly experienced in designing and building for these conditions.
Can you help us choose an architect?
Yes. We work with several respected Vancouver architecture firms and can recommend partners that align with your style and goals.
Do you build modern, traditional, or transitional homes?
All of the above. We tailor architecture and finishing to your personal taste—whether it’s clean-lined contemporary, West Coast modern, or a refined traditional estate.
Do you work outside of Vancouver?
Yes, but we have dedicated pages for North Vancouver and West Vancouver. This page focuses specifically on custom home building within Vancouver city limits.
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.