Home repair guides
Straight answers to common questions from Metro Vancouver homeowners, condo owners and landlords.
What affects the cost of painting a room in Vancouver?
The price of painting a room depends mostly on how much surface there is, how much repair and prep the walls need, and how big the colour change is. Sending photos and rough room sizes is the fastest way to get an accurate written quote.
Read guide →Why do doors stick in winter, and how do you fix them?
In Vancouver's wet season, wood doors and frames absorb moisture and swell, and loose hinges let doors sag. Most sticking doors can be fixed by tightening or adjusting the hinges, and sometimes by lightly planing and resealing the edge.
Read guide →Installing new flooring in a Vancouver condo: strata rules to check first
Many Metro Vancouver stratas require written approval before hard flooring goes in, and set rules for underlay and noise between suites. Check your bylaws and get approval in writing before you buy flooring.
Read guide →Do you need a permit for a bathroom refresh in Vancouver?
In the City of Vancouver, replacing a faucet, toilet, sink or other fixture in the same location usually doesn't need a plumbing permit. Moving plumbing, adding fixtures, electrical work or structural changes do need permits, and rules differ between cities, so always confirm with yours.
Read guide →