What we see in Surrey homes
Townhouse strata make up a big share of Surrey homes, and the calls follow a pattern: drywall damaged between tenancies, doors and hardware worn out, and fences and small decks built cheaply and now failing at the posts. Houses with basement suites generate a steady stream of turnover repairs. Older homes in Whalley, Newton and Cloverdale add the usual rot at exterior doors and deck ledgers.
Surrey runs its own permit office, separate from Vancouver’s, so anything beyond routine repair — a new deck, a structural change — gets checked with the City of Surrey before we quote.
- Basement suite turnovers between tenants
- Townhouse strata repairs and fence posts
- Drywall and door repairs in newer homes
- Deck ledger and post rot on older houses
Weather and your house
Surrey is drier and sunnier than the North Shore but still wet from October to April, and on flat, low-lying ground water drains slowly. Fence and deck posts set in soil that stays saturated all winter are the first things to fail.
Hiring a contractor in Surrey: 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 Surrey
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: Rental turnovers · Fence repair cost · Deck repair cost · Property managers.
Neighbourhoods we cover
- Guildford
- Fleetwood
- Clayton
- Newton
- Cloverdale
- South Surrey
- Whalley
And the rest of Surrey.
Nearby: Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · New Westminster · Delta · all locations
Surrey questions
Which business licence covers Surrey?
Surrey takes part in both the Metro West and the Fraser Valley inter-municipal business licence programs, so a contractor holding either can work here. Ask which one yours carries.
Can you turn over a basement suite between tenants?
Yes, and it is one of our most common Surrey jobs. We price the suite from photos taken at move-out, do the drywall, paint, doors and hardware on a fixed date, and send an itemized photo report you can use for the deposit.
Who actually does the work in Surrey?
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.