Handyman in Richmond, BC
Richmond sits on islands at the mouth of the Fraser River and averages about one metre above sea level, held dry by 49 km of dikes and 39 pump stations. Most lots are flat and the ground stays damp through the wet season, so the wood that suffers first is the wood closest to the soil. Deck posts, the bottom of stair stringers and fence posts rot from the base up long before the boards above them look tired.
Why wood near the ground goes first here
The City describes Richmond soils as a mix of river silt and organic deposits, with peat on many lots, and a City study found the water table very close to the surface in the wetter months. Wood that sits on or near that ground stays wet for weeks at a time.
When I look at a Richmond deck or set of entry stairs, I start at the bottom. I check the posts, the stringer ends and the first tread for soft spots, replace what has rotted, and then seal and paint so water runs off instead of soaking in.
Low decks, short stairs and what needs a permit
Because the land is flat, most Richmond houses have low decks and short entry stairs rather than long hillside runs. That keeps a lot of the work simple. The City lists painting, exterior finish repair and decks less than 600 mm above grade among the jobs that do not need a building permit.
A deck higher than 600 mm is different. Building or structurally rebuilding one needs a permit application with drawings, so if your job turns out to be more than repair and repainting, we talk about that before anything starts.
Fence repair within Richmond limits
In residential zones a fence can be up to 2.0 m tall, but only 1.2 m in a front yard or on the street side of a corner lot, and no higher than 0.9 m near an intersection. A permit is only needed if the fence sits on concrete footings.
East Richmond farm properties follow separate rules, with wood post and rail or picket styles allowed and masonry or decorative metal not allowed. I repair and replace wood fence boards, rails and rotted posts to the height your zone allows.
Older homes in Steveston, Broadmoor, Seafair and Blundell
About 58 percent of Richmond homes were built between 1961 and 2000, and most of the older detached houses are in Steveston, Broadmoor, Seafair and Blundell. Decks and railings on homes that age are often on their second or third coat of paint, which means scraping back the loose layers before new paint will last.
Townhouses make up about one in five Richmond homes. For a townhouse stair or balcony railing, check with your strata before booking, because exterior changes usually need its approval.
Yard cleanup that fits the Green Cart
Richmond takes yard trimmings in the Green Cart every week, with branches no more than 10 cm across, and you can set out extra paper yard bags beside the cart. Plastic bags are not accepted, even compostable ones.
When I do a fall cleanup, I cut and bag everything to those rules so it can go out on collection day. In spring, pressure washing the moss and algae off decks and stairs is a common follow up, since the airport station on Sea Island records about 169 days with rain a year.
Services in Richmond
Neighbourhoods and places I cover in and around Richmond: Steveston, Broadmoor, Seafair, Blundell, Thompson, Terra Nova, City Centre, Hamilton, Shellmont, East Richmond.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to repaint or fix my deck in Richmond?
Painting and exterior finish repair do not need a permit, and neither do decks less than 600 mm above grade. Building or structurally rebuilding a higher deck needs a permit application, so we sort that out first if your job needs it.
How tall can my fence be in Richmond?
Up to 2.0 m in a residential back or side yard, 1.2 m in the front yard or on the street side of a corner lot, and 0.9 m near an intersection. Farm zones in East Richmond have their own limits.
Why are my deck posts rotting when the boards look fine?
Richmond ground stays wet through the rainy season, so posts and stringer ends near the soil soak up water and rot from the bottom. I check and replace those parts before refinishing the top.
Can you work on a townhouse in a strata?
Yes, for small repairs and repainting. Most stratas need to approve exterior changes, so get the go ahead from your strata first and I will work to the scope and colours they approve.
How do I get a quote in Richmond?
Text a few photos of the job and your nearest cross street or neighbourhood. I will tell you what it needs and give you a price for the agreed work before anything starts.
Nearby areas
Where these local facts come from
Have a job in Richmond?
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.