Test the rooms with real measurements
Compare the plan with a room you know.
- Add the dimensions of furniture you expect to use.
- Check door swings, circulation and storage access.
More on test the rooms with real measurements
Confirm the orientation of your unit rather than relying on the display suite.
Verify what is included
Separate the display-suite presentation from the home in your agreement.
- Confirm finishes, appliances and upgrades in the specifications.
- Ask about unclear dimensions or layout details.
More on verify what is included
Have the relevant documents reviewed before relying on a rendering.
The basics
What a presale floor plan is, and what it is not
A presale floor plan is a drawing of a home that does not exist yet. It shows room shapes, sizes, windows, doors and sometimes appliances. It is a marketing tool and part of your contract package, but it is not a promise that nothing will change.
Your purchase contract and the developer’s disclosure statement, a required document describing the project, set out what the developer must deliver and what it may change. Read the plan alongside both. BC’s real estate regulator also notes a presale contract may limit or forbid assignment, so a layout that stops suiting you may be hard to pass on.
Why it matters
Why the details on paper matter so much
BC’s real estate regulator warns that a developer may change a unit’s layout, including reducing its square footage. Some contracts compensate buyers if size drops by more than a set percentage, but not all do.
Materials can change too. BC’s real estate regulator notes contracts commonly allow substitutions of a similar nature and quality. The plan is often the only picture you have for years, so read it carefully now.
How it works
Reading the plan step by step
Find your actual unit
Confirm the unit number, floor and the direction it faces. A mirror-image or different-floor version of the plan can change views, light and noise.
Check the stated size
Note the square footage and how it is measured. Ask whether balconies or walls are included. Then find the contract clause on size changes.
Scale the rooms to your furniture
Use the room dimensions to place your bed, sofa and table on paper. Leave space to walk around them and open doors.
Trace door swings and windows
Doors that open into a room reduce usable space. Note where windows sit, since furniture cannot block them.
Separate standard from upgrade
The display suite may show upgraded finishes. Compare the plan and the specifications list to see what your price actually includes.
Confirm parking and storage
BC’s real estate regulator says parking may be limited common property or assigned by lease, and may cost extra. Check how your stall and locker are handled.
Avoid these
Floor plan mistakes
Judging size from the display suite
A show suite may use smaller furniture and upgraded finishes. Measure the plan instead of relying on how the suite feels.
Ignoring the size-change clause
If the contract allows a smaller unit without compensation, you could pay the same price for less space. Have your lawyer or notary explain it.
Assuming upgrades are included
A finish shown in a rendering may not be standard. Get the specifications in writing.
Skipping the seven-day review
BC’s real estate regulator explains you have seven days to cancel a presale contract without penalty, starting from the later of signing and acknowledging you could read the disclosure statement. Use that time to have the plan and documents reviewed.
Example
Checking a size change against your contract
Illustration with made-up numbers. Use the figures and the threshold written in your own contract.
| Size on the floor plan | 650 sq. ft. |
|---|---|
| Size measured at completion | 630 sq. ft. |
| Difference | 650 − 630 = 20 sq. ft. |
| Change as a percentage | 20 ÷ 650 = 0.031, or about 3.1% |
| Next step | Compare 3.1% with the threshold, if any, in your contract’s size clause |
If your contract has no size clause, a change like this may carry no compensation. Learn more in presale deposits and disclosure.
Questions to ask
Questions for the plan and the paperwork
The developer’s sales team
- Which exact unit and orientation is this plan for?
- How is the square footage measured?
- Which finishes in the display suite are upgrades?
- How are parking stalls and storage lockers assigned?
Your lawyer or notary
- What does the contract allow the developer to change?
- Is there compensation if the unit is smaller than shown?
- What amendments to the disclosure statement have been filed?
Yourself
- Does my furniture fit with room to move?
- Where will the morning and evening light fall?
- What would I give up if a room shrank slightly?
FAQ
Common questions
Can a developer change my presale floor plan?
Yes, if the contract allows it. BC’s real estate regulator warns that layouts can change, including reductions in square footage. Some contracts provide compensation above a set percentage. Have your contract reviewed before relying on the plan.
How accurate is presale square footage?
It is an estimate made before construction. Ask how it is measured and read the contract clause on differences at completion.
Are display suite finishes included in my unit?
Not necessarily. A show suite may feature upgrades. Your specifications list and contract determine what you receive, and contracts commonly allow substitution of similar materials.
How long do I have to back out of a presale in BC?
BC’s real estate regulator says you have seven days to cancel with no penalty. The period runs from the later of the day you sign and the day you acknowledge you had the chance to read the disclosure statement.
Is parking included with a presale condo?
Not always. BC’s real estate regulator notes the developer may charge extra, and stalls may be assigned as limited common property or by lease. Confirm in writing.
A practical example
Translate the plan into real dimensions
Choose an existing room you know and compare its measurements with the proposed plan.
- Check the actual unit’s orientation and inclusions separately from the display suite.
- Write down the questions raised by windows, door swings and storage.
Have the relevant documents reviewed before treating an appealing rendering as a complete description of what you are buying.
A detail to keep in mind
Display furniture, finish upgrades and a different orientation can change your impression of a plan. Confirm the actual specification.
Official information
Start with these resources, then confirm the details for your property and circumstances.
BC Financial Services Authority: presale purchasesBC Financial Services Authority: Consumer guide to assignmentsReference review: October 6, 2026