What we see in Vancouver homes
Character homes bring plaster walls, old-growth fir trim and doors that have been painted and planed for a century. Vancouver Specials are simpler inside but have their own pattern: stucco fronts, aluminum windows, and decks and balconies that shed water poorly. In strata buildings from the leaky-condo era, a stain or soft spot near a window or door is worth reporting to the strata rather than simply patching, because the building envelope may be involved.
- Rot repair at exterior door jambs, sills and deck boards
- Plaster and drywall repair in character homes
- Suite turnovers for strata owners and landlords
- Interior door and trim work matched to original fir
Weather and your house
Vancouver gets well over 1,100 mm of rain in a typical year, most of it between October and April. Wood that stays wet all winter rots from the bottom up — door jambs, deck posts and fence posts first — and exterior staining and sealing need the dry window, which usually runs July to September.
Hiring a contractor in Vancouver: 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 Vancouver
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: Door frame repair · Deck repair cost · Drywall repair cost · Property managers.
Neighbourhoods we cover
- Kitsilano
- Mount Pleasant
- Grandview-Woodland
- Kerrisdale
- Dunbar
- Riley Park
- Hastings-Sunrise
- Marpole
- the West End
- Fairview
And the rest of Vancouver.
Nearby: Surrey · Burnaby · Richmond · New Westminster · Delta · all locations
Vancouver questions
Should I patch a water stain in my strata unit?
Not before telling your strata. In buildings from the late 1980s to early 2000s especially, a stain near a window, door or balcony can be the visible end of a building envelope problem, and patching it hides the evidence the strata needs. Report it first; we are happy to do the interior repair once the source is dealt with.
Do you work on Vancouver Specials and character homes?
Yes. Character homes usually need repair in kind — matching old fir trim, plaster and door sizes rather than swapping in modern stock. Vancouver Specials are simpler inside, but their decks, balconies and exterior doors take a lot of weather and are a common call.
Who actually does the work in Vancouver?
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.