Local service guide
Door and Window Repair in Burnaby, BC
Arrange Door and Window Repair in Burnaby by requesting an inspection and a written scope before approving repair or replacement. For a strata home, confirm who arranges the work and who pays before booking. Ask the Building Department about altered openings or structural repairs: the City exempts minor non-structural exterior repairs but requires permits for alterations. [1] [2]
Describe the opening and the problem
Send photos of the whole opening, the damaged area and visible manufacturer or hardware markings. Describe what happens: the door catches at the threshold, the latch misses the strike, the window will not close, or water appears during rain. For moisture on glass, explain whether you can wipe it from an accessible surface. Ask the contractor to inspect before confirming the cause.
Request a scope that names the proposed repair component, such as hardware, glass, seals, sash, door slab or surrounding frame. Ask what the contractor will inspect before recommending replacement. For water entry, request an investigation plan and agree on when they must seek your approval before opening concealed areas.
Compare quotes and define the first visit
Get written quotes for your opening, including parts, labour, access and finishing. Give each contractor the same photos and description, then request separate amounts for inspection, removal and disposal. Confirm whether you must arrange painting or trim repairs after installation. For an urgent call, define whether the first visit covers assessment, temporary protection or a completed repair.
Ask for the proposed product or part, order lead time, installation date and written warranty terms. If you want both repair and replacement options, request separate scopes so you can compare what each includes. Agree on a spending limit for the initial visit and require approval before the contractor adds work or charges.
Confirm strata responsibility before booking
B.C.’s strata guidance separates responsibility for arranging repairs from responsibility for paying. Owners and councils need to review the strata plan, bylaws and alteration agreements instead of relying on past practice. Under Standard Bylaw 8, subject to amendments and bare-land exceptions, the strata corporation maintains specified exterior doors and windows or those facing common property. [2]
Send management your photos and proposed scope. Request written answers on who commissions the work, who pays and what approval you need. Include any earlier alteration agreement: the Province explains that these agreements usually assign future repair and maintenance costs to the owner who received permission to alter. Ask management to confirm product specifications before you order. [2]
Resolve permits for framing and altered openings
Burnaby requires permits for alterations and structural restoration, while its guidance exempts minor non-structural exterior repairs. Describe the proposed work to the Building Department if the contractor plans to change an opening, repair damaged structural framing or alter the exterior. Ask which permit category applies before scheduling that scope. [1]
The City accepts residential alteration and addition applications online through My Permits Portal. Applicants submit restoration applications in person at City Hall. If the City confirms a permit requirement, include application fees, inspection arrangements and the person responsible for each step in your contract. [1]
Check replacement eligibility before ordering
BC Hydro lists a Tier 2 rebate of $100 per eligible window or door, capped at $2,000, for products with a maximum U-Factor of 1.22 W/m²-K. U-Factor measures resistance to heat flow; a lower rating indicates better insulating properties. The utility counts rough openings, so a bay window with several sections counts as one opening. Confirm home eligibility before subtracting a rebate from your budget. [3]
BC Hydro requires new replacement products between heated and unheated spaces, installation by a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid applicable B.C. business licence, and an application within six months of the invoice date. These are program conditions. Self-installations and skylights do not qualify. Ask the contractor to provide a compliant invoice and photos of each manufacturer label. [3]
Agree on weather protection and completion checks
Environment and Climate Change Canada reports Vancouver Harbour monthly precipitation normals of 71.4 mm in September, 156.8 mm in October and 245.2 mm in November for 1991–2020. This nearby regional reference gives context for discussing exterior work, rather than a forecast for your appointment. Ask the contractor about installation conditions, temporary weather protection and securing an unfinished opening overnight. [4]
Clear access before the visit and explain parking, elevator and building-entry arrangements. At completion, operate the door or window with the contractor and inspect the agreed trim and finishing work. Ask them to demonstrate the lock or latch and explain maintenance instructions. Keep the invoice, product details and warranty documents together.
Regional precipitation context for exterior repair planning
Local details that affect your job
Choose the correct Burnaby application route
Submit residential alteration and addition permit applications through My Permits Portal; submit restoration applications in person at City Hall. For damaged structural framing, ask the Building Department which category applies before your contractor books the work. [1]
Separate strata approval from payment
B.C. distinguishes the duty to arrange repairs from the duty to pay. Before commissioning an exterior door or window repair in a strata home, ask management to review the strata plan, amended bylaws and alteration agreements. Obtain written confirmation of both responsibilities rather than assuming that an exterior opening guarantees strata payment. [2]
Check the utility’s municipal restriction
BC Hydro excludes homes within the City of Vancouver municipal boundary from its Tier 2 window and door rebate. That restriction does not describe Burnaby, but an address here alone does not establish eligibility. Confirm the home, product and installation requirements before ordering a replacement or including the rebate in your budget. [3]
Choose the next step for your opening
| Situation | Next step | Before authorizing work |
|---|---|---|
| Sticking door or difficult window operation | Request an inspection and a component-level repair quote. | Ask the contractor to identify the cause and proposed parts. |
| Exterior opening in a strata home | Contact strata management before commissioning work. | Confirm amended bylaws, alteration agreements, approval and payment responsibility. |
| Changed opening or damaged structural framing | Ask Burnaby’s Building Department about the proposed scope. | Assign permit application and inspection responsibilities in writing. |
| Considering an energy-efficient replacement | Check BC Hydro home and product eligibility before ordering. | Confirm product specifications, contractor conditions and required documentation. |
| Water entering or an opening that cannot be secured | Request temporary protection and an assessment plan. | Define the first visit and require approval for additional work. |
Your hiring checklist
- Photograph the opening, damage and visible product or hardware markings.
- Describe when the problem occurs and whether you need temporary security or weather protection.
- Ask strata management to confirm approval, repair responsibility and payment responsibility in writing.
- Get a permit answer for the exact scope before authorizing framing or opening changes.
- Compare written scopes covering parts, labour, access, disposal and finishing.
- Agree on the first visit’s spending limit, order lead times and approval for additional work.
- Ask who will retain rebate documents and manufacturer-label photos if you choose replacement.
- Operate the repaired opening with the contractor and retain the invoice and warranty documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a door or window repair?
Burnaby exempts minor non-structural exterior repairs and requires permits for alterations and structural restoration. Ask the Building Department about your exact scope, particularly for damaged structural framing or changes to an opening. Confirm the requirement before authorizing that work. [1]
Does my strata pay for an exterior window repair?
Ask who arranges the repair and who pays. B.C.’s guidance explains that responsibilities vary with bylaws, property designation and alteration agreements. Standard Bylaw 8 includes specified exterior doors and windows, but strata corporations can amend it and bare-land exceptions apply. [2]
Can I get a BC Hydro rebate for repairing my window?
The offer described here covers qualifying replacement windows and doors. For replacement, check home eligibility, product specifications and installation requirements before ordering. BC Hydro requires the application and supporting documents within six months of the invoice date. [3]
What should a repair quote include?
Request the opening and component covered, proposed parts, labour, access, disposal and finishing. Ask whether the price includes inspection or temporary protection, who arranges any approvals, and when the contractor must seek permission for extra work. Retain the written scope and warranty terms.
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.