Commercial Renovations & Tenant Improvements

Transforming Workplaces for a New Era

Sierra Projects delivers precision-engineered commercial renovations that prioritize your brand, your timeline, and your bottom line. We handle the complexity so you can focus on your business.

Maximizing ROI Through Strategic Commercial Construction

In the competitive 2026 Vancouver market, your physical space is a direct reflection of your company culture. A duality of high vacancy rates and a strategic flight to quality has empowered tenants to demand higher-performing spaces.

The Tenant Advantage

Landlords are offering significant incentives to secure long-term lease agreements in a competitive environment. Partner with Sierra to maximize your build-out.

124.9%
Increase in Average TI Allowances since 2019
Modern Retail Build

Code Compliance

We navigate the City of Vancouver's rigorous permitting process to ensure your project moves forward without costly delays.

Functional Design

Optimizing layouts for modern hybrid work and retail flow, ensuring every square foot serves a distinct, profitable purpose.

Durability

We specify commercial-grade materials that withstand high traffic and the test of time, reducing your long-term maintenance costs.

2026 Cost Benchmarks

Navigating the financial complexities of a commercial build-out requires an understanding of the current labor and material indices in British Columbia.

Basic Refresh

$100 – $150
per square foot
  • ✓ Cosmetic updates
  • ✓ Standard paint & flooring
  • ✓ Minor layout adjustments
  • ✓ Existing mechanical reuse

Moderate Renovation

$150 – $250
The "Sweet Spot" (2k – 5k sq ft)
  • ✓ Warm Minimalism aesthetics
  • ✓ New partition framing
  • ✓ Upgraded acoustic treatments
  • ✓ Moderate mechanical upgrades

High-End / Executive

$250 – $350+
per square foot
  • ✓ Custom bespoke millwork
  • ✓ Advanced smart lighting systems
  • ✓ Complex structural changes
  • ✓ High-efficiency HRV/ERV units

Performance-Driven Design

Modern office design is technical rather than purely decorative. High-performance interiors prioritize the integration of smart systems that monitor occupancy and adjust climate and lighting in real-time.

The shift toward open-plan workstations necessitates the use of acoustic tiles, fluted wood panels, and sound-absorbing millwork to maintain a focused environment.

Circadian LED Lighting Acoustic Engineering HRV/ERV Air Quality
Modern Meeting Room
Clean Clinic Interior

High-Impact Retail & Medical Builds

Retail spaces in the Lower Mainland must balance high aesthetic impact with extreme durability. We optimize "flow"—the psychological pathway that guides customers from the entry point to the point of sale.

For Medical & Dental clinics, we ensure strict adherence to sanitary requirements, privacy laws (FIPPA/PIPEDA), and specialized plumbing/electrical integrations.

Low-Carbon Composites CleanBC Rebate Alignment FIPPA Compliant Layouts

Strategic Planning FAQ

Addressing the distinction between an owner-funded renovation and landlord-supported Tenant Improvements.

Financial structures differ substantially. TI projects are often tied to lease incentives where the landlord contributes a fixed allowance (averaging $34.46 to $77.49 per sq ft in 2026) toward the build-out. If the design exceeds this, the tenant pays the delta. A renovation is typically an owner-managed capital expenditure.

Most Vancouver TIs range from 8 to 16 weeks, depending on permit approval times. We provide a guaranteed critical path schedule during the pre-construction phase utilizing our “Plan. Design. Build.” methodology.

Yes. Sierra Projects manages the entire development and building permit process (DP/BP), coordinating with the City of Vancouver, Burnaby, and surrounding municipalities, drastically reducing the risk of timeline delays and change orders.