03/20/2026
Your renovation quote just changed. Here’s exactly why—and how to prevent it.
Most contractors provide an estimate, not a fixed price. There is a massive difference, and it costs Vancouver homeowners thousands every year.
Here is what is actually happening behind the scenes:
1. Quoting without a full scope: If a contractor walks through your home for 20 minutes and sends a figure the next day, that’s a ballpark figure, not a commitment. When the walls come down and the reality differs from their assumptions, the price shifts.
2. Hidden costs in “Allowances”: A “$1,500 tile allowance” sounds reasonable until you select the tiles you actually want, and the bill hits $2,800. The difference comes out of your pocket mid-project. Many quotes are padded with these low-ball allowances to make the initial total look attractive.
3. Change orders as a business model: A low quote gets you to sign. Then, every minor adjustment—a different light fixture or moving a wall six inches—triggers a “change order” invoice. For some, this isn’t a mistake; it’s how they make their margin.
4. Omitted permit and engineering fees: In Vancouver, permits, structural engineering, and WorkSafeBC compliance can add $10,000–$25,000 to a project. If these aren’t explicitly listed, they aren’t included.
How to protect yourself:
* Ask: “Is this a fixed-price contract or an estimate?”
* Ask: “Can I see the full, itemised scope of work before signing?”
* Ask: “What is the specific process if you encounter an unforeseen issue behind a wall?”
* Ask: “Are all permit, engineering, and compliance fees included in this total?”
A firm that cannot provide clear answers before you sign certainly won’t provide them after.
At Enzo Design Build, we operate on a fixed design-build model. One price. Full scope. No surprises.
Planning a renovation in Metro Vancouver? If you want to actually understand what you’re signing, visit our website and complete our contact form.
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