Welcome to your home. You own a condo in Vancouver. Things break. You need to know who fixes them. The rules come from the British Columbia Strata Property Act. Each building has bylaws. Read your bylaws first. This guide helps you identify common repairs.
1. Faucets and Fixtures
Your sink drips. You see a leak under the cabinet. This is your responsibility. The faucet is part of your strata lot. You own the handles, the spout, and the hoses. Buy a new faucet. Call a handyman.
Randall the Handyman replaces faucets in Yaletown and Kitsilano. We remove the old unit. We install the new one. We test the seals. You pay for the labor and the parts.
2. Main Water Lines
A pipe bursts inside your wall. Water floods the floor. This is usually the strata's responsibility. Pipes serving more than one unit are common property. The strata corporation maintains these lines.
Stop the water. Turn the shut-off valve. Call your property manager immediately. Do not attempt to repair pipes inside the walls. The strata handles the plumbing contractor. They bill the strata corporation.
3. Drywall Holes and Scuffs
You moved furniture. You hit the wall. Now you have a hole. This is your fix. You own the surface of the walls inside your unit. You must maintain the paint and the plaster.
Buy a patch kit. Apply the compound. Sand the surface. Paint the area. Or hire a professional. Randall the Handyman repairs drywall in the West End and East Vancouver. We match the texture. We finish the surface.
4. Water Damage from Above
Water drips from your ceiling. The unit above you has a leak. This is a strata matter. The strata corporation manages repairs between units. They investigate the source. They fix the common pipe or the neighbor's fixture.
Take photos. Document the damage. Notify the strata council. They coordinate the restoration company. You may need to provide access to your unit.
5. Windows and Glass
A seal fails in your window. The glass looks foggy. In most Vancouver buildings, windows are common property. The strata corporation maintains the exterior of the building. This includes the window frames and the glass.
Report the fogging to your manager. Do not hire your own glass company. The strata schedules the replacement. They ensure the building envelope stays waterproof. You clean the inside of the glass. The strata cleans the outside.
6. Exterior Doors and Locks
Your front door sticks. The lock is loose. Exterior doors face common hallways. These doors are often the responsibility of the strata. They must look uniform. They must meet fire codes.
Check your bylaws. Some strata corporations require owners to maintain locks. Others handle all door hardware. Do not paint your front door. Do not change the hardware without approval. Contact your council before making changes.
7. Balconies and Patios
You have a balcony in South Vancouver. You see a crack in the concrete. The structure is common property. The railings are common property. The strata corporation repairs these items.
You are responsible for cleaning. Sweep the surface. Wash the floor. Do not use a pressure washer. Pressure washers damage the waterproof membrane. If the membrane fails, the strata fixes it. You keep the area tidy.
8. Electrical Outlets and Switches
A light switch stops working. An outlet has no power. This is your responsibility. The wiring inside your unit serves only you. You own the fixtures.
Turn off the breaker. Remove the cover. Replace the switch. Or call for help. Randall the Handyman assists with minor electrical tasks. We install dimmers in Burnaby and Richmond. We replace outdated outlets.
9. Flooring and Soundproofing
You want to replace your carpet with hardwood. This is your project. You must follow strata rules. Most buildings require soundproofing underlay. You must submit an alteration form.
Wait for approval. Hire a flooring contractor. Install the specified materials. If you skip this step, the strata can force you to remove the floor. Always check the noise bylaws in Yaletown and the Westside.
10. Caulking and Silicone
The silicone around your bathtub is moldy. Water leaks behind the tiles. This is your maintenance task. You must keep your bathroom watertight.
Remove the old silicone. Clean the gap. Apply new caulking. Let it dry for 24 hours. This prevents water damage to the floor below. Randall the Handyman provides professional recaulking services. We serve North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
Our Rates
We provide clear pricing for all handyman tasks.
- $120 for the first hour.
- $85 for each additional hour.
We serve homeowners and property managers. We visit sites in Kerrisdale, UBC, and Main St.
Professional Service
Randall the Handyman is licensed. We are insured. We are WorkSafeBC compliant. We have a 5-star Google rating. We provide reliable workmanship for your condo repairs.
Contact Us
Stop worrying about your to-do list. Start fixing your home.
Visit randallthehandyman.com to book.
Call 604-442-5142 for a quote.
Plan your next repair today.
