DESIGN build firm

Vancouver’s Design-Build Firm. Built to Last.

Serving Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, and the Lower Mainland.

Most homeowners who renovate or build end up managing the gap between their designer and their contractor. At Kerr Design Build, there is no gap. Our in-house team handles design, permits, and construction — so your project stays on vision, on budget, and on time.

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35 YEARS OF DESIGN-BUILD EXCELLENCE

Quality is Built. Trust is Earned.

For 35 years, Kerr Design Build has been one of Vancouver’s most trusted design-build firms. Our award-winning team — designers, project managers, and skilled builders — works under one roof, so every decision is aligned, every detail is intentional, and every project is executed to the highest standard.

EXPLORE OUR DESIGN PROCESS →
Contemporary custom home design concept by Leo Chester, Senior Designer at Kerr Design Build — Port Moody BC
WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOUR PROJECT

One Firm Accountable for Everything

When design and construction are handled by separate companies, the gap between them becomes your problem. Scope creep, budget surprises, and miscommunications are common — and costly.
Kerr Design Build eliminates that gap entirely. Our designers and builders have worked together for decades, which means your project is priced accurately from the start, built exactly as designed, and delivered without the chaos that comes from managing multiple contracts.
VANCOUVER HOME RENOVATIONS, CUSTOM HOMES & MORE

Built for the Way You Live. Designed to Last.

Whether you’re reimagining an older character home, adding space to your growing family’s house, or building a custom home from scratch, Kerr Design Build has the team and the track record to deliver.

The Waterfront Residence open-plan living and dining area with waterfront view — custom home design concept Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
Home Renovations Vancouver

From full home renovations to kitchen and bathroom upgrades, we transform existing spaces with precision and care. We specialize in older Vancouver homes — understanding the structural, aesthetic, and permitting nuances they require.

HOME RENOVATIONS
Loftus Residence waterfront home design concept — three-storey custom home Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
Custom Home Builders

We design and build custom homes across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, working with you from concept through construction. Every detail is tailored to how you live — designed in-house and built by the same team.

CUSTOM HOMES
Modern two-story house with an angled roof, expansive glass windows, and a large outdoor deck. The lower level features open patio space with a hot tub. Surrounded by trees and a neat lawn, award-winning renovations include stairs leading to the upper deck.
Home Additions Vancouver

When you need more space, we expand your home’s footprint through second story additions and rear extensions. Every project is engineered for structural integrity and designed to feel like it was always part of the original home.

HOME ADDITIONS
Laneway home Vancouver by Kerr Design Build — craftsman-style two-storey with double garage and cedar accents
Laneway Homes Vancouver

From full home renovations to kitchen and bathroom upgrades, we transform existing spaces with precision and care. We specialize in older Vancouver homes — understanding the structural, aesthetic, and permitting nuances they require.

LANEWAY HOMES
A two-story blue craftsman house with white trim features a front porch, balcony, and gabled roof. Surrounded by trees, the entrance is reached via a flight of steps with white railings.
Multiple Conversion Dwellings

We convert single-family Vancouver homes into legal multi-unit properties — helping homeowners maximize long-term value and rental income. Our in-house team manages design, permits, and full construction from start to finish.

MULTIPLE CONVERSION
Modern home exterior featuring a staircase leading to a magnificent lap pool that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces. The pool is illuminated and surrounded by concrete and glass. A mat on the stairs reads Beware of Parents. A potted plant and greenery add natural elements.
Heritage Home Renovations

Older Vancouver homes carry stories worth preserving. We renovate heritage and character homes with the care they deserve — respecting original architecture while upgrading livability, systems, and energy performance.

HERITAGE HOME
IN HOUSE DESIGN TEAM

Great Homes Start with Great Design

At Kerr Design Build, design isn’t a service we outsource — it’s built into everything we do. Our in-house design team works alongside our builders from the very first conversation, ensuring that what gets designed is exactly what gets built.

From feasibility studies and conceptual drawings to full interior selections, 3D visualization, and City of Vancouver permit packages, our designers bring both creative vision and deep technical knowledge to every project. The result is a smoother process, fewer surprises, and a finished home that matches the vision you started with.

EXPLORE OUR DESIGN SERVICES →
Kerr Design Build design team — Steven Butler, Leo Chester, Ximena Jimenez and Jaycie Dotin, Vancouver BC
  • Open-plan living area with glass elevator and walnut millwork — The Waterfront Residence, custom home design Port Moody BC, Kerr Design Build
  • Cedar custom home with kayak undercroft, gravel driveway and Burrard Inlet view through coastal forest — The Waterfront Residence, custom home Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
  • Laneway home Vancouver by Kerr Design Build — craftsman-style two-storey with double garage and cedar accents
  • Full-height glazed courtyard and sculptural staircase bringing natural light into lower levels — The Waterfront Residence, custom home Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
  • Vaulted open-plan living and kitchen with panoramic Burrard Inlet view — The Waterfront Residence, custom home Port Moody BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
OUR DESIGN BUILD PROCESS IN VANCOUVER

One Team, One Process, No Gaps Between Design and Build

Every Kerr Design Build project follows The Kerr System — our proven five-phase process built for Vancouver homeowners who want clarity at every stage.

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1 — Discovery & Feasibility

Your vision · Your goals · Your budget

We start with your goals, your home, and your budget — assessing feasibility and permits early so nothing catches you off guard down the road.

2 — Design, Planning & Visualization

Our in-house designers develop concept drawings, space plans, and 3D renderings based on your vision. You see your future home before construction begins.

3 — Permits & Approvals

We manage the full City of Vancouver permitting process, coordinate trades, finalize materials, and prepare a detailed construction schedule.

4 — Construction & Project Management

Our skilled builders execute the work with the same team that designed it. No handoffs, no miscommunications — just consistent quality delivered on site.

5 — Final Review & Handover

Before you take possession, we walk the project together, address any final items, and make sure everything meets the standard you were promised from day one.

The Work Speaks for Itself

Award-Winning Home Renovations in Vancouver

Kerr Design Build has been recognized by the design and construction industry for excellence in craftsmanship, project delivery, and client experience. Our awards reflect not just what we build — but how we build it.

VIEW OUR AWARDS →
Elton and Ryoko Donald, owners of Kerr Design Build, with their renovation award collection in Vancouver BC
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  • Craftsman custom home rear exterior at dusk with covered porch, upper balcony and brick pathway — The Dunbar Home, Dunbar Vancouver BC by Kerr Design Build
Custom Home · Dunbar, Vancouver

The Dunbar Home

A full teardown and rebuild on a corner lot in Dunbar — a Craftsman Revival designed for a young family who wanted personality, warmth, and a home built to last. Complete with secondary suite, brewery room, and interiors that tell their story.

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  • L-shaped stone island with workstation sink and integrated dining — Urban Harmony luxury condo renovation, Olympic Village Vancouver BC by Leo Chester, Kerr Design Build
Luxury Condo Renovation · Olympic Village, Vancouver

Urban Harmony

A brand-new luxury townhome in Olympic Village that lived beautifully on paper — but didn’t work in practice. Designer Leo Chester solved it with one decisive move: an L-shaped stone-clad island that merged kitchen and dining into a single sculptural form, unlocking the entire floor plan. Georgie Awards Finalist, Best Condo Residential Renovation.

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  • Open-plan living area with glass elevator and walnut millwork — The Waterfront Residence, custom home design Port Moody BC, Kerr Design Build
Custom Home — Design Concept · BURRARD INLET, BC

The Waterfront Residence

A three-storey custom home on the north shore of Burrard Inlet — designed to rise with the drama of a 34% waterfront slope. A vaulted main living level, sail-inspired roofline, full-height glazed courtyard, and a glass elevator within a sculptural stair. Currently in design development with designer Leo Chester.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Want to Know Before You Build

A design build firm handles both the architectural design and physical construction of your project under one contract and one team. Unlike the traditional model — where a homeowner hires a designer separately from a contractor — a design build firm like Kerr keeps everything integrated. This reduces miscommunication, simplifies accountability, and typically results in more accurate budgets and timelines.

Renovation costs in Vancouver vary significantly based on scope, materials, structural complexity, and your home’s existing condition. Every project is different — which is why we provide a detailed budget during the feasibility phase, so you have full clarity before committing to design or construction.

Timelines depend entirely on the scope of work — a kitchen renovation moves much faster than a full home renovation or custom build. Every project includes design, permitting, and construction phases, each with their own timeline. We provide a detailed project schedule at the start of every engagement so you always know what to expect and when.

Yes. We manage the full City of Vancouver permitting process as part of our design-build service. Our team understands Development Permits, Building Permits, and heritage approval processes, and we coordinate everything so you don’t have to.

We serve homeowners across Greater Vancouver including Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Kitsilano, Point Grey, and surrounding communities in the Lower Mainland.

When you hire a design build firm, you have one point of contact and one accountable team for the entire project. Budgets are more accurate because the people building it help price it from the start. For homeowners who value a smooth, integrated experience, design-build is consistently the stronger choice.

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

Ready to Work with Vancouver’s Design-Build Firm?

Vancouver Custom Homes & Home Renovations

Complete the form below and tell us about your project. Whether you’re planning a custom home, home renovation, addition, or multiplex conversion, Kerr Design Build is here to help.

For 35 years, we’ve been creating beautiful, functional homes throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland through thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a seamless design-build process. We look forward to learning more about your vision and discussing how we can bring it to life. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Or call us at  604-263-0343 

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

Ready to Work with Vancouver’s Design-Build Firm?

Vancouver Custom Homes & Home Renovations

Complete the form below and tell us about your project. Whether you’re planning a custom home, home renovation, addition, or multiplex conversion, Kerr Design Build is here to help.

For 35 years, we’ve been creating beautiful, functional homes throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland through thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a seamless design-build process. We look forward to learning more about your vision and discussing how we can bring it to life. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Or call us at  604-263-0343