Strata Painting in Metro Vancouver: A Guide for Property Managers & Councils

Painting is one of the largest recurring maintenance expenses for a strata — and one of the most visible to residents. Done right, it protects the building and keeps owners happy. Done wrong, it means complaints, callbacks, and paying twice.

How strata painting projects actually work:

Unlike a single home, strata work has to happen around people’s lives:

• Phased scheduling — floor by floor, or building by building, so no one is displaced.
• Restricted hours — most stratas limit noisy work to weekday daytime; we plan around it.
• Resident communication — notices before work starts on each phase: dates, affected areas, what to expect.
• Common-area logistics — elevator bookings, parking for equipment, protecting lobbies and landscaping.

What to ask any painting contractor:

• Strata experience — ask for examples of completed strata projects, not just houses.
• Written scope — every surface, every coat, every product, in writing. Vague quotes become disputes.
• Insurance & WCB coverage — verify this before anyone sets foot on the property.
• Products — common areas need durable, scrubbable, low-odour coatings. Ask what’s specified and why.
• References — talk to another manager or council that hired them.

Budgeting: what drives the cost:

• Scope — hallways only, or parkade, lobbies, exterior, and balconies too?
• Condition — drywall repairs, water damage, and failed exterior paint add prep labour.
• Access — high ceilings, stairwells, and parkades need lifts and more setup time.
• Occupancy — working around residents is slower than an empty building. Phased work costs more per square foot than a single-family home, and that’s normal.

Build painting into the depreciation report cycle: exterior repaints every 7-10 years in our coastal climate, interiors every 5-7 years in high-traffic common areas.

Our approach to strata work:

• Phased plans built around your building’s schedule and bylaws.
• One point of contact for the manager or council — no chasing crews.
• Low-odour products so residents can stay in their homes.
• Common-area protection: floors, elevators, and fixtures covered every day, cleaned every night.

Learn more about our strata painting services.

Get a strata quote:

Send us your building’s scope — or just the address and what needs painting — and we’ll walk it, measure it, and give you a written fixed quote. Call (236) 995-6777. We work across Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Langley, and New Westminster.