Handyman in New Westminster
New Westminster was chosen as the capital of the colony of British Columbia in 1859, and much of the city is still built on steep streets running down to the Fraser River. Downtown, Uptown, Sapperton and the West End all sit on that slope, and homes on a slope like that often reach the street by long exterior wooden stairs. Those stairs and their railings take the full force of every wet winter.
Repainting in Queen's Park without a heritage permit
Queen's Park is the only Heritage Conservation Area in New Westminster, and owners often worry that any outside work needs approval. The City's own guidance says regular maintenance like re-painting or replacing rotted deck boards does not need a permit for Protected or Non-protected houses, and paint colour is not restricted.
The exceptions matter. Adding or removing a porch or verandah on a Protected house needs a Heritage Alteration Permit, and homes that are Heritage Designated need a permit even for maintenance. If your house is designated, check with the City before booking.
Long stairs on steep streets
The City describes Downtown as steep streets sloping down to the river, Uptown as sitting on the city's steep slope, and Sapperton as dropping to the Fraser. Long exterior stairs on hillside lots hold water on every tread and stay shaded much of the day.
Exterior stairs and railings are my specialty. I scrape back loose paint, replace soft treads, tighten railings and repaint, and I can add anti slip strips for the winter months.
Fence repair to City limits
Fences in New Westminster do not need a permit. The limits are 1.22 m along the front, 1.83 m along the sides past the house and at the rear, and 0.91 m near a corner, and on a sloped lot the height is measured from the average grade.
On hillside properties that average grade rule makes a difference, so when I replace a fence section I keep it within what the City allows for your lot.
Fall cleanup and the green cart
The City collects yard trimmings every week of the year, up to two kraft paper bags, with branches under 3 inches across and 3 feet long and no plastic. In 2026 there is an extra leaf collection from November 2 to 27.
I bundle and bag fall cleanup to those rules so it goes out on your pickup day.
Services in New Westminster
Neighbourhoods and places I cover in and around New Westminster: Queen's Park, Sapperton, Uptown, Downtown, Queensborough, Glenbrooke North, Brow of the Hill, West End, Connaught Heights, Moody Park.
Common questions
Do I need a heritage permit to repaint my porch in Queen's Park?
Not for most houses. The City says re-painting and replacing rotted deck boards are regular maintenance and need no permit in the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area, and colour is not restricted. Heritage Designated homes are the exception.
What does need a Heritage Alteration Permit?
On a Protected house in Queen's Park, things like adding or removing a porch or verandah, or changing windows and doors. I do repair and repainting, not redesigns, so most of my work does not trigger one.
How tall can my fence be in New Westminster?
1.22 m along the front, 1.83 m along the sides past the house and at the rear, and 0.91 m near a corner. Fences do not need a permit.
Can you fix long outdoor stairs on a sloped lot?
Yes. That is my specialty. I replace soft treads, tighten railings and repaint, and I tell you honestly if a stair needs a full rebuild instead.
How do I get a quote in New Westminster?
Text a few photos and your neighbourhood. I will tell you what the job needs and give you a price for the agreed work before anything starts.
Nearby areas
Where these local facts come from
- City of New Westminster, Heritage Protection Levels (Queen's Park HCA)
- City of New Westminster, Guide to the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area
- City of New Westminster, Guide to Fences
- City of New Westminster, Downtown context statement
- City of New Westminster, Uptown context statement
- City of New Westminster, Yard Trimmings and Food Scraps Collection
- Parks Canada, New Westminster National Historic Event
Have a job in New Westminster?
Call or text Alex with a short description and a few photos. You will get an honest answer about what it needs and what it costs.