Welcome to your guide for Vancouver condo repairs. You live in Yaletown or the West End. You own a home. Things break. You must know who pays. You must know who fixes. This guide helps you.
1. The Building Structure and Roof
The strata corporation owns the building frame. This includes the foundation and the roof. They pay for these repairs. You pay through your strata fees. Do not fix the roof yourself. Do not touch the exterior walls.
If you see a leak in the ceiling, act fast. Water moves through the building. It starts at the roof, then it hits your ceiling. You must call your property manager. They send a professional. They check the membrane. They fix the structure.
2. Common Plumbing Systems
Pipes run through the whole building. These are vertical risers. They serve many units. The strata maintains these pipes. If a main pipe bursts, the strata pays.
Look under your sink. Check the pipes there. These pipes serve only your unit. You own these pipes. You pay for these repairs. If your toilet leaks, you fix it. If your sink clogs, you clear it.
Randall The Handyman helps with in-suite plumbing. We serve Kitsilano and East Vancouver. We charge $120 for the first hour. We charge $85 for each additional hour. We install new faucets, then we test for leaks.
3. Interior Finishes and Drywall
You own the air inside your unit. You own the paint. You own the drywall surface. If you hit the wall with a chair, you fix it. The strata does not pay for small holes.
Drywall repair is a common task. You cut the damaged piece, then you fit a new piece. You apply mud, then you sand the surface. You paint the patch. Randall The Handyman does this for you. We visit homes in Kerrisdale and UBC. We bring the tools, then we finish the job.
4. Flooring Inside Your Unit
You choose your floors. You might have carpet or laminate. You might have hardwood or tile. These materials belong to you. If you scratch the wood, you fix it. If the tile cracks, you replace it.
Some stratas have rules for flooring. You must use sound-control underlay. You must get permission before you change the floor. Read your bylaws first. Choose your material, then apply for approval. We help with minor floor repairs and trim installation.
5. Appliances and Kitchen Gear
Your fridge is yours. Your stove is yours. Your dishwasher is yours. If the washer breaks, you pay. The strata does not maintain your appliances.
Modern appliances are complex. Sometimes you need a simple fix. We install new appliances in Yaletown and South Vancouver. We remove the old unit, then we connect the new one. We check the water lines. We ensure the power works.
6. Faucets and Bathroom Fixtures
Faucets wear out. Washers fail. Drips start. You are responsible for these fixtures. This includes sinks, tubs, and toilets.
Do not ignore a drip. A drip wastes water, then it causes damage. Buy a new faucet, then call Randall The Handyman. We install fixtures in Richmond and Burnaby. We remove the old faucet, then we clean the surface. We connect the new lines, then we check the flow.
7. Windows and Balcony Doors
Windows are tricky. They are part of the building exterior. Often, the strata owns the glass and the frames. They want the building to look the same.
Check your strata plan. It shows the boundaries. If the seal fails, tell your manager. If you break the glass, you might pay. Do not try to repair window frames yourself. You might void the building warranty.
8. Electrical Systems
The main power comes from the building. Your unit has a breaker panel. You own the wiring from that panel. You own the outlets. You own the light fixtures.
If a switch stops working, you fix it. If you want a new light, you buy it. Randall The Handyman installs lights and dimmers. We serve North Vancouver and West Vancouver. We turn off the power, then we remove the old light. We wire the new fixture, then we test the switch.
9. Heating and Cooling
Many Vancouver condos use baseboard heaters. Some use fan-coil units. Some use heat pumps. If the heater serves only your unit, you maintain it.
Dust your heaters every year. Clean the filters in your AC. If you need a portable AC kit, we help. We measure the window, then we cut the panel. We install the hose, then we seal the gaps. This keeps your home cool in the summer.
10. The Front Door of Your Unit
The front door faces the hallway. The hallway is common property. The door is a fire barrier. The strata usually controls the door. They pick the paint color. They control the style.
You usually own the hardware. This includes the handle and the deadbolt. If your lock sticks, you fix it. If you want a smart lock, ask your strata first. Then call us. We install smart locks in Main St and South Main St homes. We remove the old lock, then we fit the new one. We sync the app, then we show you how it works.
How to Coordinate Repairs
Start with your bylaws. Read the section on maintenance. Find the "Repair and Maintenance" heading. Identify your item. If it is common property, email your manager. If it is your strata lot, call a handyman.
Randall The Handyman is reliable. We are professional. We are licensed and insured. We understand strata rules. We work in Yaletown and the West Side.
Our Rates for Vancouver
We keep pricing simple.
- First hour: $120.
- Additional hours: $85 each.
We do the job right. We help with TV mounting, furniture assembly, and caulking. We handle your to-do list, then you enjoy your home.
Contact Randall The Handyman
Do you have a repair list? Do you need help with your condo? Contact us today. We serve Metro Vancouver. We serve Burnaby and Richmond. We serve North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
Call Randall The Handyman. Schedule your appointment. Fix your home.
