What Vancouver houses mean for a light install
Vancouver is a mix of early-1900s character houses, Vancouver Specials and a large stock of condos. Each one is lit a little differently.
Character houses on the east and west sides have steep gables, dormers and porches. They take careful measuring before a single clip goes up. Vancouver Specials have long, flat front rooflines and balconies, which are simple to light and usually go quickly.
Most lots are 33 feet wide, so side yards are narrow and there is little room to stand a ladder. We plan around that. Many houses also have no outdoor plug at the front, and we work out where power will come from before install day. Detached homes with garages off the lane can be lit from the front, the lane side, or both.
If you are done with the ladder, this is the part we take off your list.
Rain, moss and when roof work gets done
Most of Vancouver's rain falls from October to April. Frost shows up on only a handful of nights, so cold is rarely the problem. Wet is.
Wet connections are the most common reason lights go out. We keep that in mind when we set up plugs and joins. On the west side, mature street trees shade and drip on roofs, so rooflines stay damp and mossy through winter. Clips grip better when we check the surface first, and we use clips only, never nails or staples.
Rain from November on means slick roofs. Fall installs on dry days go best, so earlier booking helps. If a roof is slick or the wind is up on the day, we move the roof work to a safer day instead of pushing ahead.
Removal happens in January, once the season is done.
Book install, repair or removal on its own
You do not need a program or a yearly plan. Each job is booked by itself.
- Install. We hang your lights if they are outdoor-rated and working. If you have bins in the garage, we can test them first. If they don't work, we supply lights.
- Repair. We fix sections that have gone out, even on lights someone else hung.
- Removal. We take everything down in January and leave the clips off your roofline.
We also light trees and shrubs, which suits front yards on small lots.
The price depends on a few things we explain up front. These include how many peaks, gables and dormers your house has, how much roofline needs lights, how much ladder room there is, whether power is available at the front, and whether we supply the lights or hang yours.
Stratas, low-rise condos and storefronts
A large share of Vancouver households live in strata buildings. Exterior rules on townhouses and condos vary, so it helps to check with your council or property manager before booking.
We do stratas, low-rise condos and storefronts, as well as houses. That can mean lighting an entry, a shared railing, a canopy or a storefront window line. The same rules apply as for houses. We hang what you have if it is outdoor-rated and works, or we supply it. Clips go on, nothing is nailed or stapled, and everything comes down in January.
If you manage a building, you can book a single job and decide next year whether you want it again. There is nothing to renew.
