One room record and one scope checklist make it easier to see when proposals include different work, materials or assumptions.
01 / RENOVATION CHECK
Create a measured existing-condition record
Measure the room and identify walls, openings, ceiling heights, bulkheads, fixtures, drains, supply points, outlets, switches, ventilation, heating and access panels. Photograph each elevation and note visible water damage, staining, movement, failed sealant, loose tiles and past repairs without diagnosing the cause. Record which dimensions need site verification and which areas remain concealed. Issue the same dated plan and photographs to every estimator so the comparison begins with one version of the room.
02 / RENOVATION CHECK
Define demolition and protection boundaries
List exactly what is removed, what is retained and where the work stops at adjacent rooms, corridors or common property. Include wall, ceiling and floor finishes; fixtures; cabinetry; mirrors; accessories; plumbing and electrical components; debris handling; temporary dust control; and protection of doors, elevators and travel paths. State who moves personal items and what happens if hazardous materials or hidden damage are suspected. WorkSafeBC warns that renovation can disturb asbestos-containing materials, so assessment and safe handling must occur through the responsible parties before disturbance.
03 / RENOVATION CHECK
Mark every retained and owner-supplied item
Identify fixtures, windows, doors, heating elements, accessories or finishes that remain, including their protection and reconnection. For owner-supplied products, record model, dimensions, required rough-in, delivery responsibility, inspection on arrival, storage, missing parts, warranty and delay consequences. Do not use one broad allowance when a late or incompatible item could affect walls, waterproofing or trades. The proposal should say who checks product suitability and when that decision becomes fixed.
04 / RENOVATION CHECK
Describe layout and rough-in changes
Show existing and proposed locations for the toilet, basin, tub, shower, controls, fan, lighting, outlets and heating. Separate items that remain from those that move. Ask the plumbing and electrical scopes to identify new or altered lines, connections, shutoffs, circuits, controls and inspections. The City says permits are generally needed when plumbing or electrical lines move or are installed; use the current City pages for the exact scope. Keep structural or common-system questions explicitly unresolved until reviewed.
05 / RENOVATION CHECK
State substrate and waterproofing expectations
Define how exposed walls and floors are assessed after demolition, how damaged or unsuitable material is reported and who approves repairs. Request the proposed waterproofing system, compatible components, wet-area limits, drain and fixture transitions, penetrations, sequencing and current manufacturer instructions. If an inspection, test or flood test is proposed, record its purpose, timing, conditions, acceptance authority and evidence. Avoid a generic waterproofed line that does not identify where the system begins, ends or connects to adjacent construction.
06 / RENOVATION CHECK
Schedule finishes and fixtures precisely
List tile by area, format and layout assumptions; grout and sealant; paint; cabinetry; counters; hardware; glass; plumbing fixtures; lighting; mirrors; accessories and trim. State whether quantities, waste, delivery, installation materials and taxes are included. Identify samples or mock-ups that require approval and the deadline for selections. A finish allowance should show what it covers and how a change is priced, rather than hiding product, labour or lead-time differences inside one number.
07 / RENOVATION CHECK
Include access, sequencing and cleanup
Document work hours, parking, elevator or loading reservations, key control, neighbour notices, corridor protection, water shutdown requests, waste routes and daily cleanup. Ask for a sequence that includes investigation, permits, demolition, repairs, rough-ins, inspections, substrate work, waterproofing, finishes, fixture installation and deficiencies. Note which stages depend on approval or delivery. In an occupied home or strata, a realistic access plan is part of the scope, not an informal promise made after award.
08 / RENOVATION CHECK
Define completion and closeout
Set the standard for final cleaning, fixture operation, sealant and finish review, deficiencies and correction dates. Ask for permit and inspection records, product and colour schedules, concealed-work photographs, test evidence, manuals, care instructions, warranties and approved change records. Record who receives keys, spare materials and documents. Final payment terms should match the written agreement and applicable requirements. A closeout list makes later maintenance easier and prevents important records from disappearing when the room looks finished.
These official sources provide municipal, legal or workplace-safety context for the subjects they address. They do not approve this property, determine hidden conditions or replace current property-specific review.
City of Vancouver — Renovate a Home · City of Vancouver — Plumbing Permit · City of Vancouver — Electrical Permit · WorkSafeBC — Asbestos in Renovation
Sources reviewed September 22, 2026. Confirm the current page, property facts and proposed work before making a permit, strata or construction decision.