Our strata council wants to repaint the common areas in our commercial building. What should we know?

Repainting common areas in a strata commercial building in Metro Vancouver involves a few layers of planning beyond a standard paint job. Under the BC Strata Property Act, maintenance and repair of common property is the strata corporation's responsibility, so the council will need to follow proper governance procedures before hiring a painter.

First, review your strata's bylaws and maintenance plan. Routine repainting typically falls under the operating budget and can be approved by council without a special resolution, provided the cost is within the approved budget. For larger projects — say repainting the entire lobby, hallways, parkade, and elevator interiors — you may need a three-quarters vote at a general meeting if the expense exceeds your contingency reserve threshold.

Get at least three written quotes from commercial painters experienced with strata work. Your quotes should detail the scope clearly: which common areas, surface preparation, number of coats, paint brand and finish, and a project timeline. Many Metro Vancouver strata managers recommend painters who carry a minimum $5 million in commercial general liability insurance, which is standard for strata contracts.

Scheduling is critical. Common area painting in a commercial strata means coordinating around tenant business hours, elevator access, and building security. Most painters phase the work floor by floor, completing hallways and lobbies during evening or weekend hours. Ensure your contract addresses ventilation, dust containment, and WorkSafeBC compliance for any work involving ladders or scaffolding in stairwells.

Start by requesting a condition assessment from a commercial painter who can identify which areas need immediate attention and which can wait another season.

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