The specialty
Stair, Deck and Railing Painting in Vancouver
Paint lifts, treads go grey and slick, and railings start to flake. Exterior stairs and decks are the jobs I like most, because the change is so visible and the work makes a home safer.
I do the slow part properly. Every loose flake gets scraped, the wood is sanded and cleaned, the area around it is masked, and only then does paint go on. Where a stair gets slippery in winter, I can add anti-slip strips.
What's included
Every job is scoped with you before it starts. A typical job can include the following.
- Scraping and sanding peeling paint back to a sound surface
- Pressure washing or cleaning before painting
- Masking and protecting plants, siding and walkways
- Primer and exterior paint on treads, risers, stringers and railings
- Iron and wood railings painted to match
- Anti-slip strips on treads that get wet
- Small board repairs, discussed with you before any work begins
What Vancouver homeowners should know
Vancouver gets most of its rain between October and April, and outdoor wood that stays wet that long loses its paint fast. Many older houses in East Vancouver, Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant have long wooden front stairs that face the street and take the worst of it. North facing stairs also grow moss, which makes them slippery. That is why I book exterior painting for the dry months and spend the wet months on prep visits and indoor work.
Past Projects
Every photo here is Alex's own work. Locations outside Vancouver are labelled.
Common questions
When is the best time to paint outdoor stairs in Vancouver?
Paint needs dry wood and mild weather, so the main season runs from late spring through early fall. I am happy to come and look at your stairs any time of year and book the work for the first good dry stretch.
Do you replace rotten treads?
Small repairs are part of the job and I will always tell you what I see before I start. If a staircase needs structural rebuilding, I will say so honestly and point you to a carpenter.
How long does a staircase take?
Most single staircases take one to three days including prep and drying time. I will give you a clear plan once I have seen it.
Can the stairs be used while you work?
Usually yes, one side at a time or with a short break while the paint dries. If they are your only way in, we plan the order of work around that.
What does stair painting cost?
It depends on the number of steps, how much paint is peeling, the railings and any repairs. Send photos and I will give you a fixed price for the whole job.
How do you price a job?
I look at your photos or come and see the job, then give you a fixed price for the agreed work before anything starts. If I find something unexpected, I stop and talk to you before doing anything extra.
Which areas do you cover?
Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond and New Westminster. If you are just outside those, send a text and ask.
What should I send for a quote?
A sentence about the job, two or three phone photos and your neighbourhood or nearest cross street. That is usually enough for a first answer the same day.
Often booked together
How it works
No call centre and no surprises. You deal with the person who does the work.
Call or text with photos
Tell me what needs doing and where you are. Two or three phone photos are usually enough for a first answer.
Agree on scope and price
I look at the job, tell you honestly what it needs, and we agree on the work and the price before I start.
Careful work, clean finish
I protect your home, do the work properly, clean up every day and send you photos of the finished job.
Everything else I can help with
Have a job in mind?
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.