Why New Westminster houses take planning
New Westminster has some of the oldest housing in the region. Queen's Park and Sapperton have Victorian and Edwardian houses on steep, narrow lots, with porches and detailed trim that should never take a nail or a staple. We use plastic clips that hook onto the gutter edge or slip under the shingle edge, and they come off with the lights.
The hill adds its own problems. Many streets are steep, ladder access is tight, and a lot of lots are partly shaded as they slope toward the Fraser River. Older houses also tend to have few outdoor plugs, so we look at where the cord will run before we hang anything. That is how we avoid strands that never reach the outlet.
Winters here are mild and wet, so a solid connection matters more than cold-weather rating. Dry fall days are the best time for the steep lots around the hill.
What the install involves
We hang lights on rooflines, gutters, peaks, dormers, railings, pillars and porch posts. We can also add icicle lights, pathway lights, wreaths and garland. Everything is clipped in place and run to a timer, so the lights come on without anyone going outside.
If you have bins of lights in the garage, bring them out. We check each strand first. If it is rated for outdoor use and works, we hang it. If a strand is not worth hanging again, we tell you plainly. You do not have to buy new lights to book us. If you would rather not deal with lights at all, we can supply them.
Most houses take a few hours in one visit. Large or steep houses can take longer. A house with lots of peaks can be hard to picture, so we can talk through what will look right before the day.
Lights can go up in October or November and stay off until you want them on. The calendar gets tight by December.
What the price depends on
We don't have a flat rate, because houses here vary a lot. A narrow Victorian with several peaks is a different job from a flat-lot townhouse in Queensborough. The price depends on four things.
- The length of roofline to be lit.
- The height and pitch of the roof.
- How much is lit besides the roof, such as railings, pillars, trees or pathways.
- Whether you use your own lights or want them supplied.
We explain how those factors apply to your house before you book, so the number makes sense. Install, repair and removal can each be booked alone. That includes lights someone else hung, so if a strand went dark or sagged after a windstorm, you can call us just for that. Removal is done in January.
Stratas, condos and storefronts
Uptown and Downtown are mostly low-rise and high-rise condos, and Queensborough has many townhouses under strata rules. We also light stratas, low-rise condos and storefronts. If your building has rules about what can be attached and where, it helps to check with your council or manager first, then tell us what they allow.
The same approach applies. Clips only, a timer, and a plain explanation of what the price depends on. Each job is booked on its own, so there is nothing to renew next year.
