Home Renovations in Burnaby (2026): Which Renovations Should Homeowners Think About First?

Renovating or improving the home is often a chance to improve different aspects of how the property looks, feels and even functions. Unfortunately, homeowners in Burnaby have a tendency to think about their renovations backwards. This means they think about what the finishes will look like or what the colors and patterns will be, instead of thinking about what improvements will happen first.

Any worthwhile renovation starts with a good plan.

The order of home improvements says a lot about the improvements you're wanting to make and the type of renovations you're wanting to do, especially if you're trying to improve on an older home or if you're trying to enhance your living space to better suit the needs of your family. Long term value renovations require some thought about the order of the improvements. Thankfully, Burnaby's top rated home renovation services can help simplify that process for you. They'll help you identify the areas that need to be addressed first, the best value upgrades you can make, and how the different renovations impact one another.

As we enter into 2026, the typical concerns of making upgrades to betterolder homes to meet ever increasing building code requirements as well as the demand for healthier and more sustainable homes will become more important.

Focus on Structure Before Aesthetics

Without a doubt, the most common renovation mistake is addressing the appearance of the home before addressing what protects the interior of the home.

As previously mentioned, pretty new flooring and a nice new kitchen won't change how safe, functional, and effective your home is.

Here are some things homeowners should consider before thinking about aesthetics:

  • How is the foundation
  • What's the condition of the exterior walls and cladding
  • How are the windows and doors
  • What's the condition of the roof
  • How are the drainage systems

These things really influence enjoyability and safety of the home.

A starting with the basics reconstruction plan helps prevent homeowners from upgrading only to find they have to replace or remove upgrades caused by underlying problems.

Evaluate the Current Condition of Your Home

No two homes are the same and as such, will have varying renovation requirements. A house built 40-50 years ago will likely require a different renovation list than a more recently constructed house.

Before starting renovations, homeowners should consider:

  • What areas of the house do not satisfy their needs?
  • Do any of the renovations interfere with or require completion of other renovations?
  • Which spaces impact family use on a daily basis?
  • What opportunities exist to renovate to increase ac efficiency?

A professional builder will be able to determine a renovation priority list and create a renovation plan for the home as it is.

We take a lot of time to understand the properties our clients are looking to renovate. We believe this helps homeowners in making decisions that improve the value of their property and not leads to rushed decisions that do not provide value over a longer period of time.

Kitchen Renovations Continue to be Popular

For most Burnaby homeowners, the kitchen is the first area considered for renovation.

The kitchen, in addition to being the food preparation space in the home, is the principal gathering and working space for the family.

Renovating the kitchen may include one or more of the following:

  • Better storage solutions
  • Better use of lighting
  • New cabinets
  • More efficient layouts
  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • More durable materials

Each addition during the renovation of the kitchen must be carefully considered.

The placement of plumbing, wiring, and walls should not be underestimated in terms of the time it will add to the project and the cost.

Renovation services in Burnaby balance design with the practicalities of construction.

Bathroom Renovations Are Noticeable Upgrades

Bathroom renovations are noticeable improvements for homeowners.

Oftentimes bathrooms can have old, undesirable layouts offering little to no efficiency. These bathrooms can have outdated materials that no longer serve a modern home. These bathrooms can benefit from the following renovations:

  • Better ventilation
  • Modern, sleek fixtures
  • Updated flooring and a finish of your choice
  • Increased storage
  • Water efficient systems

Because bathrooms utilize plumbing and electrical work combined with waterproofing, it is extremely important to have a renovation done correctly, because any mistakes made can allow water to continue to travel and spread to other areas.

More Thoughtful Renovations

Many homeowners want their homes to perform beyond their looks and are looking for thoughtful renovations that add value to their homes and let them save money in the long run.

Comprehensive renovations can include the following:

  • Better insulation
  • High performance windows
  • Air sealing
  • New heating and cooling systems
  • Ventilation systems

These renovations help the moisture management of the building envelopes of the homes in the lower mainland of British Columbia, and help keep a home healthy.

88 Homes is a sustainable construction company that builds homes that help improve how homes are lived in.

Homeowners renovate when they want to improve the liveability of their home.

Families tend to outgrow spaces. Renovating for layout is one way to chance that.

Layout focused renovations include:

  • Open Concept Living
  • Home Office Building
  • Additions for Storage
  • Flexible Additions
  • Bedroom Renovations

Though wall removal and layout changes can be done, there should be an emphasis on planning.

Changes should be done safely and legally. All the components of the renovation should be in line with regulations.

Exterior Concerns

The exterior should do two things better than a lot of homes: protect from the elements and look good.

Exterior renovations include:

  • Window and Siding replacement
  • Upgraded entry
  • Additions like outdoor decks
  • Custom landscape designs

Due to changes in weather patterns, your building materials should be prepared to get wet.

Material Selection and Renovation Design should ideally complement one another. A well designed exterior renovation improves the appeal of your home.

Renovate for How You Want to Use Your Home

Sometimes the best renovation is the one that brings the most use and functionality to your home first and foremost.

When people plan to renovate a home, it is best preparation for:

  • Length of time you expect to stay
  • Future Family Changes
  • Maintenance of the Property
  • Performance, Energy Efficiency and Aesthetics

A renovation should help you achieve your goals for your home's functionality and help cover your needs first.

Burnaby's Real Estate Partners in Renovations

A good company to choose for renovating your space is the one that is going to manage the project.

Homeowners should value experience, good communication, detail orientation, and knowledge of local limitations pertaining to construction.

A quality renovation company will demonstrate the ability to communicate the details of the work to be done, provide realistic timeframes, stay within the scope of authorized plans, organize trades effectively, and ensure quality of construction.

88 Homes strives to provide thoughtfully designed and functional spaces combined with an emphasis on quality workmanship and long-term sustainability.

Planning Your 2026 Home Renovation

A productive plan can mitigate the potential for an unpleasant, unsuccessful project.

For homeowners interested in Burnaby home renovation services, the first step is determining what aspects of your property bring the most value and/or require the most improvement.

With an effective plan and the appropriate construction partners, homeowners can renovate their existing properties to better match their ideal lifestyle, while also preserving the existing quality and value of their homes.