What we see in Richmond homes
On soft, wet ground, houses settle, and settling shows up inside as cracked drywall and doors that bind. Townhouse strata generate steady turnover work, and older detached homes need the round of replacements that comes with forty years of age: doors, decks, fences and exterior trim.
In Steveston, older homes near the harbour and the newer townhomes around the village take wind and damp off the mouth of the Fraser. Richmond is drier than the North Shore, but on flat ground puddles last for days, so the base of every fence post and deck post matters.
- Drywall cracks and binding doors from settling
- Townhouse strata turnovers
- Fence and deck post rot in wet ground
- Replacing original doors and trim in older homes
Weather and your house
Richmond is flat and close to sea level, so rain has nowhere quick to go and the ground stays saturated through much of the winter. Fence posts, deck posts and anything touching the soil rot faster here than on higher ground.
Hiring a contractor in Richmond: what to check
This city is part of the Metro West inter-municipal business licence program: a single licence lets a trades contractor work across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, New Westminster and Delta. Ask any contractor which business licence they hold for work here.
Anywhere in BC: there is no provincial licence for general repair work, but electrical and gas work must be done by contractors licensed through Technical Safety BC, and plumbing by certified plumbers. Landlords and strata corporations hiring a contractor should ask for a WorkSafeBC clearance letter — if a contractor is not paying premiums, the business that hired them can be held liable. In homes built before 1990, materials that may contain asbestos should be tested before they are cut or sanded.
Check for yourself: Metro West inter-municipal business licence · WorkSafeBC clearance letters · Technical Safety BC
Prices in Richmond
All prices in Canadian dollars (CAD).
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Drywall & repaint, single room | $1,000–$1,600 |
| Interior door & trim package (3–5 doors) | $1,400–$2,400 |
| Deck repair | $1,200–$3,000 |
| Fence repair | $800–$2,000 |
| Rental turnover punch list | $1,000–$2,200 |
What drives each price: Drywall repair cost · Door frame repair · Fence repair cost · Rental turnovers.
Neighbourhoods we cover
- Steveston
- Terra Nova
- Broadmoor
- Seafair
- Hamilton
- City Centre
- Thompson
And the rest of Richmond.
Nearby: Vancouver · Surrey · Burnaby · New Westminster · Delta · all locations
Richmond questions
Why does my Richmond house keep getting drywall cracks?
Much of Richmond sits on soft, wet soils, and houses can keep settling slowly for years. Cracks that return along the same lines are usually settlement. We repair them properly, and if doors are binding or cracks are widening, we will suggest having the structure looked at before cosmetic work.
Which business licence covers Richmond?
Richmond is a partner in the Metro West inter-municipal business licence program, which covers Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster and Delta with one licence.
Who actually does the work in Richmond?
An established, insured local contracting company operating under the Thatcher Home brand. We confirm the company by name on your written estimate — before you commit to anything.