Retail Store Fit-Outs & Tenant Improvements
General contracting for retail tenant improvements across Greater Vancouver, including operating stores and regulated categories such as liquor and cannabis.
Store fit-outs that keep the doors open
Hilson Construction delivers retail tenant improvements as general contractor across Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Published references include a BC Liquor Store tenant improvement for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and a cannabis retail store fit-out, both in Metro Vancouver.
Retail fit-outs are millwork-led. Display fixtures, sales counters, feature walls and cabinetry set the layout, and the lighting, ceilings, HVAC and electrical have to be detailed around them rather than after them. Hilson coordinates those components as one program so that the finished store reads as a single environment and works for the staff operating it.
Where the store is already trading, Hilson schedules construction during non-operational hours so customers are never turned away; the BC Liquor Store project was delivered on schedule that way with minimal impact on daily operations. Where the category is regulated, Hilson works with the client, consultants and municipal authorities so the build meets project specifications, safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements. Retail chains, landlords and independent operators planning a fit-out in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Delta or elsewhere in the region can send drawings for a bid or start with a consultation.
Scope Hilson takes on as general contractor
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Retail tenant improvements
Complete fit-outs of leased retail units: demolition, framing, drywall and ceilings, flooring, finishes and storefront-facing details, ready for fixtures and stock.
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Custom millwork and cabinetry
Display fixtures, sales counters, feature walls and premium cabinetry, including temperature-controlled cabinetry as installed at a BC Liquor Store.
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Lighting, electrical and HVAC integration
Integrated and energy-efficient lighting, electrical upgrades and HVAC integration coordinated with the millwork and ceiling layout.
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Renovations in operating stores
Construction scheduled during non-operational hours so the store keeps serving customers, as delivered for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.
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Regulated retail categories
Coordination with consultants and municipal authorities on specifications, safety standards and regulatory requirements for liquor and cannabis retail construction.
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Sustainable materials
Low-VOC paints and adhesives, sustainable materials and energy-efficient lighting incorporated where applicable to support indoor air quality and operating costs.
Five steps from first call to handover
- 01
Consultation
We meet to understand the space, the operating constraints (occupied, live retail, shared site) and the date you need to be open or back in service.
- 02
Scoping & budget
Hilson defines the scope with you, prices it and identifies what needs consultants or engineering before work starts.
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Planning & municipal coordination
Schedule, phasing and site logistics are set. We coordinate with your consultants and municipal authorities on specifications, approvals and regulatory requirements.
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Construction & trade coordination
Hilson manages every trade on site, controls access and safety, and keeps the sequence moving so the schedule holds.
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Handover
Deficiencies are closed, systems are commissioned and the space is handed over ready to operate.
Named case studies in this sector
BC Liquor Store Tenant Improvement
BC Liquor Store tenant improvement in Metro Vancouver, built during non-operational hours so the store stayed open, and delivered on schedule for the LDB.
View case study
Cannabis Retail Store Tenant Improvement
Cannabis retail store tenant improvement in Metro Vancouver: custom millwork, integrated lighting, HVAC and electrical, coordinated with municipal authorities.
View case study
Tim Hortons Restaurant Renovation
Full demolition and renovation of an approx. 3,300 sq. ft. Tim Hortons in Coquitlam, completed in less than five weeks while the adjacent Wendy’s stayed open.
View case studyFrequently asked questions
Who can do a BC Liquor Store tenant improvement in Metro Vancouver?
Hilson Construction, a commercial general contractor based in Delta, BC, has completed BC Liquor Store tenant improvements for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), including renovations across multiple locations.
Has Hilson Construction built a cannabis retail store?
Yes. Hilson completed the tenant improvement for a cannabis retail store in Metro Vancouver, including custom millwork and cabinetry, integrated lighting, HVAC integration, drywall and ceiling systems, electrical upgrades and interior finishes, coordinated with consultants and municipal authorities.
Can Hilson renovate a retail store without closing it?
Yes. On the BC Liquor Store project construction was scheduled during non-operational hours, so the store continued serving customers without interruption.
Does Hilson build custom retail millwork?
Yes. Millwork is one of Hilson’s trade specialties. Retail projects have included custom display fixtures, sales counters, feature walls, premium cabinetry and temperature-controlled cabinetry.
What is a retail tenant improvement?
A tenant improvement (TI) is the construction work that adapts a leased commercial unit to a specific tenant’s use: partitions, ceilings, flooring, lighting, electrical, HVAC, millwork and finishes. Hilson delivers retail TIs as general contractor across Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell us what you are planning, or invite Hilson to bid on a defined scope. We serve Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.