Derek Wu

Derek approaches every renovation knowing the person behind the project matters just as much as the project itself. He listens first, asks questions, and tries to understand what matters most to the client before getting too far into the details. He also knows renovations don’t always go exactly as planned. Having experienced many of the surprises that can come with them, he believes part of a contractor’s job is helping clients understand what comes next and making sure they feel supported when plans change.

Derek has a wide network in Regina, largely because he’s genuinely interested in people. He remembers names, conversations, and the little details most people forget, and he’s good at staying connected long after a project or meeting is over. Those relationships have become an important part of Collaborative too, helping build a network of clients, trade partners, businesses, and community organizations that extends well beyond the projects themselves.

Derek also stays closely connected to Regina’s construction and business community. Over the years, he’s served on local committees, spoken at industry events, and become someone people often turn to for advice, guidance, or simply help finding the right person to talk to. He’s an active member of the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association and was one of the founders of Build Love, a community initiative that brought hundreds of local volunteers, businesses, and trade partners together to complete accessible home renovations for Regina families at no cost. He’s usually one of the first to get Collaborative involved in a local event, fundraiser, or cause that matters to someone in the community.

Helping homeowners understand the decisions that come before construction, from early planning and realistic budgets to choosing the right approach for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and full-home renovations.

Planning renovations around the realities of an operating business, including budgets, timelines, logistics, and the considerations that can help minimize disruption while work is underway.

Helping clients make sense of their options, understand what to expect, and work through the decisions that turn an initial idea into a renovation that’s ready to move forward.

Understanding how thoughtful renovation choices can improve accessibility, support changing mobility needs, and help people stay comfortably and independently in their homes for longer.

Understanding the unique considerations that come with renovating older buildings, preserving the character that makes them worth keeping while improving how they function for the people using them today.

Born and raised in Regina in a family of small business owners, Derek grew up around entrepreneurship, customer service, and the relationships that come with serving a local community. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Regina, where he was involved with the Business Students’ Society and JDC West, before spending several years in client relations at Regina web design company Squareflo.

Derek’s path into construction started with real estate. He and Trevor Anderson began buying and renovating rental properties together, doing the work themselves on evenings and weekends. They later purchased the Albert Street building where Collaborative is based today and helped create Cowork Regina, providing office space for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

As more friends began asking Derek and Trevor for help with their own homes, those side projects gradually grew into Collaborative Construction. In the early years, they did the construction themselves, with Derek involved in everything from meeting with clients and quoting projects to working on the tools and managing the jobs. Over the years, his experience has grown to include residential and commercial renovations, new construction, and complex projects like the redevelopment of Regina’s historic St. Chad’s College and Chapel. Today, Derek spends more of his time talking through projects with clients than swinging a hammer, but years of hands-on construction experience give him a practical understanding of what it actually takes to bring a project together.

Ihaday Bubble Tea Bar Walkthrough

Restaurant Renovation

Prairie View Walkthrough

Basement Renovation

Padwick Walkthrough

Accessible Renovation