Waywest Mechanical is the mechanical contractor for commercial renovations and tenant improvements in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. For restaurants, offices, retail stores, clinics and other commercial spaces, Waywest provides plumbing, commercial kitchen gas lines, grease interceptors, HVAC and ventilation changes, backflow prevention and fire sprinkler modifications, working for tenants, landlords and general contractors to meet the fit-out schedule.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Fit-outs on a deadline
Commercial renovations run on a lease date. Rent is often being paid before the doors open, and every trade depends on the mechanical rough-in being done and inspected on time. Waywest works for general contractors, tenants and landlords on tenant improvements across Nanaimo and the Island, and plans the mechanical work around the whole fit-out schedule.
Types of commercial renovations
- Restaurants and cafés — kitchens, bars, dish areas and washrooms
- Offices — washrooms, kitchenettes and HVAC zoning for new layouts
- Retail stores — washrooms, staff rooms and heating and cooling changes
- Clinics and personal services — hand sinks, specialty fixtures and ventilation
- Base building upgrades for landlords between tenants
Mechanical scope
Plumbing. Fixtures, washrooms, floor drains, hand and prep sinks, grease interceptors, commercial hot water and backflow prevention.
Gas. New gas piping and connections for cooking equipment, water heaters and rooftop units — see commercial kitchen gas.
HVAC. Relocated diffusers and returns, new zones, rooftop unit changes, make-up air and exhaust coordination — see commercial HVAC. Custom ductwork comes from Waywest's own sheet metal shop.
Fire sprinklers. Head relocations and modifications for the new layout — see fire sprinkler systems.
Refrigeration. Walk-in coolers, reach-ins and ice machines for food service — see commercial refrigeration.
Working in occupied buildings
Most tenant improvements happen in buildings where other businesses stay open. We schedule shutdowns of shared services with the property manager, keep work areas contained, and make sure the rest of the building's plumbing, gas and sprinklers are back in service the same day.
After the doors open
The same company that built the mechanical systems services them. Waywest provides 24/7 repairs and scheduled PropertyCare maintenance for commercial spaces.
Service area
Commercial renovations and tenant improvements in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and across Vancouver Island.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
What mechanical work does a restaurant tenant improvement need?
A restaurant fit-out typically needs hand sinks, prep and dish sinks, floor drains and a grease interceptor, hot water sized for dish machines, gas lines for cooking equipment, kitchen exhaust coordination with make-up air, and backflow prevention, plus washrooms. Refrigeration and walk-in coolers are usually part of the same project.
Can Waywest work from drawings for a tenant improvement?
Yes. Waywest prices and builds from mechanical drawings supplied by the tenant's designer or engineer, and can also help develop a practical layout for smaller spaces where full engineering is not required.
Can the work be done while neighbouring units stay open?
Usually. Shutdowns of shared water, gas or sprinkler systems are planned in advance with the landlord or property manager and scheduled for early mornings, evenings or closed days to limit the effect on other tenants.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.