Siding, stucco, windows, roofing and paint

Exterior Renovation in Surrey

Q: How do I know if my stucco is letting water in?

Warning signs include cracks that keep reopening,dark staining below windows or at corners,bulging areas,and soft or musty spots inside on exterior walls. Some damage shows no outside signs at all,which is why we moisture-test the wall before recommending repair or replacement.

Q: Do I need a rainscreen when I replace my siding?

In most cases,a drained gap behind the new cladding is required or strongly recommended in the Lower Mainland's climate,and it is the best protection against the kind of moisture damage many older homes suffer. We confirm the requirements for your project and include the rainscreen details in the design.

Q: What is the best siding for Surrey's rainy climate?

Fibre cement is a popular choice because it resists rot,insects and fire and holds paint well. Vinyl is the lowest-maintenance and most affordable. Engineered wood and cedar give a warmer look with more upkeep. The installation,meaning the barrier,rainscreen and flashing behind it,matters more than which of these you choose.

Q: Do I need a permit for exterior renovation in Surrey?

Painting and like-for-like repairs usually do not. Recladding a whole house,replacing a roof structure,enlarging window or door openings,and heritage properties can need a City of Surrey permit or other approvals. We check what your project requires before starting.

Q: When is the best time to paint the outside of a house in Surrey?

The drier months,generally late spring through early fall,are best. Paint needs dry surfaces and suitable temperatures to bond and cure,so painting in wet weather risks peeling. Book early,because that window fills up quickly.

Q: Should I replace windows at the same time as siding?

If the windows are near the end of their life,yes. Installing new windows before the siding lets them be flashed properly into the new weather barrier. Replacing them later means cutting back the new cladding,which costs more and risks leaks.

Q: Is moss on my roof a problem?

It can be. Moss holds moisture against the shingles,lifts their edges and speeds up wear,and it is common on shaded Surrey roofs. Light moss can be cleaned and treated. If shingles are already curling,cracked or losing granules,it may be time for a new roof.

Q: Are there rebates for new windows or exterior upgrades?

Energy-efficiency rebates for items like windows,doors and insulation are offered from time to time by provincial and federal programs,and utilities. They change often,so check the current CleanBC Better Homes listings before you start. We can supply the product details and invoices those programs usually ask for.

Q: How do I get an exterior renovation estimate?

Use the exterior estimate form or call(604)649-5404. Photos of the house and a note about what concerns you are enough to start. We then inspect the exterior,check for moisture,and give you a written scope and price.

New siding, windows, roofing and paint that look great from the street and keep West Coast rain out of your walls, built by a Surrey team that knows the local climate.

Request a free exterior estimate Call us: (604) 649-5404

Surrey Exteriors

An exterior that keeps the weather out

Surrey's exteriors work hard. Months of wind-driven rain, moss on shaded roofs and damp that lingers into spring all test the walls, windows and roof. The city also has a lot of homes from the 1980s and 1990s finished in stucco with no drainage gap behind it, older houses with wood siding and original windows, and newer homes whose builder-grade finishes are starting to show their age.

A new exterior should look good and protect the house. That means dealing with water at every layer: roof, flashing, windows, the barrier behind the cladding and the cladding itself. Choose a single service below, or combine them into one planned exterior project.

Jump to a service

Hardwood Floor Refinishing

Our exterior renovation services in Surrey

New siding usually means new flashing and often new windows. Planning them together is what keeps the wall watertight.

Siding Replacement in Surrey

New siding changes how a house looks more than any other exterior upgrade, but in Surrey's climate its real job is shedding water. We remove the old cladding, repair any damaged sheathing, install a weather-resistive barrier and, where required, a drained rainscreen gap, then fit fibre cement, vinyl, engineered wood or cedar siding with proper flashing at every window, door and corner.

Typically involves

Fibre cement, vinyl, engineered wood and cedar

Sheathing repair and new weather barrier

Rainscreen strapping where required

Trim, soffit and fascia to match

A good fit if your siding is cracked, warped, faded or letting water in.

Heritage Exterior Renovation in Surrey

A character home's exterior is a big part of its charm. We repair or replicate original wood siding, shingles, trim and mouldings, restore wood windows where it makes sense, and choose colours suited to the era. If the house is on Surrey's heritage register, exterior changes may need extra sign-off, and paint layers from past decades can contain lead, so both are checked at the start.

Typically involves

Wood siding, shingle and trim repair or replication

Wood window restoration or matching replacements

Period-appropriate colour schemes

Lead paint testing and heritage approvals

A good fit if your home has original character worth keeping.

Window & Door Replacement in Surrey

New windows and doors cut drafts and noise, reduce condensation and make the house easier to heat. What makes them last is the installation: a sill pan or sloped sill under each window, flashing and a membrane tied into the wall's weather barrier, and sealed, insulated gaps. We install vinyl and fibreglass windows, patio doors and entry doors, as part of a recladding or on their own.

Typically involves

Vinyl and fibreglass windows

Patio, garden and sliding doors

Entry doors and sidelights

Sill pans, flashing and air sealing

A good fit if windows fog up, leak, stick or let in cold air.

Roofing Replacement in Surrey

Moss, lifting shingles and granule loss are common on Surrey roofs because of the long wet season. When a roof reaches the end of its life, we strip it, repair the roof deck, install underlayment and ice-and-water protection at valleys and edges, then new asphalt shingles or metal roofing, along with flashing, vents and gutters so water leaves the roof cleanly.

Typically involves

Asphalt shingle and metal roofing

Deck repair and new underlayment

Valley, chimney and wall flashing

Roof ventilation, gutters and downspouts

A good fit if the roof is leaking, mossy, curling or near the end of its life.

Exterior Painting in Surrey

A good exterior paint job protects wood and trim as much as it improves the look. The prep does most of the work: washing, scraping, sanding, replacing rotten boards, priming bare wood and caulking gaps. In Surrey, exterior painting is scheduled for the drier months so surfaces are dry enough for the paint to bond, and colour samples are tested on the house before you commit.

Typically involves

Pressure washing and scraping

Rotten board and trim replacement

Priming, caulking and two finish coats

Colour consultation and samples on the house

A good fit if paint is peeling, faded or you want a new colour.

Not sure what your exterior needs first?

Send a few photos of the outside of your home and any trouble spots. We’ll suggest where to start and give a rough figure, normally within one business day.

Request a free exterior estimate

Deck & Patio Construction in Surrey

Decks, patios, covered outdoor rooms and railings are often part of an exterior renovation, especially when new siding, doors and a deck are planned together so the flashing and connections are done right. We cover decks and patios in full on their own page.

Typically involves

Composite and cedar decks

Patios and covered structures

Glass and cable railings

Ledger flashing tied into new siding

A good fit if the project includes a new deck, patio or cover.

Stucco Repair & Replacement in Surrey

Many Surrey homes from the 1980s and 1990s were finished in stucco applied directly over the sheathing with no drainage gap. When cracks, missing sealant or poor flashing let water in, it has nowhere to go. We inspect and moisture-test first, then either repair localized damage or remove the stucco and rebuild the wall with a rainscreen and new stucco or another cladding.

Typically involves

Moisture testing and crack assessment

Localized stucco and flashing repair

Full stucco removal and wall rebuilding

New stucco or alternative cladding over rainscreen

A good fit if stucco is cracked, stained, bulging or the walls behind it test wet.

Full Exterior Renovation & Design-Build in Surrey

When the siding, windows, roof and trim all need attention, doing them together costs less and works better. Flashing ties into the new cladding once, windows go in before siding rather than being patched in later, and the design is planned as a whole, from colours and materials to entry, lighting and porch. We handle design, permits and every trade in one project.

Typically involves

Exterior design and material selection

Roof, windows, cladding and trim in one sequence

New entry, porch and exterior lighting

Permits and coordination of every trade

A good fit if the whole exterior is tired or you want a new look.

Rainscreen & Moisture Remediation in Surrey

A rainscreen is a small drained and vented gap between the cladding and the wall that lets water drain out and the wall dry. The BC Building Code now requires this approach for new walls in the Lower Mainland's wet climate, but many older homes were built without it. We open affected walls, replace rotted sheathing and framing, then rebuild with a proper membrane, rainscreen and flashing.

Typically involves

Envelope inspection and moisture mapping

Rotted sheathing and framing replacement

Membranes, rainscreen and flashing

New cladding over the rebuilt wall

A good fit if walls are wet, soft, mouldy or you see staining inside.

Signs your exterior needs attention

What you see from outside usually points to one of these causes. We confirm with an inspection before recommending work.

What you notice

Likely cause

Usual fix

Cracks, staining or bulging in stucco

Water getting behind the cladding

Stucco repair or replacement

Soft, swollen or rotting sheathing or trim

Long-term moisture in the wall

Rainscreen and moisture remediation

Warped, cracked or faded siding

Siding at the end of its life

Siding replacement

Foggy, drafty or leaking windows

Failed seals or poor flashing

Window and door replacement

Moss, curling shingles or leaks in the ceiling

An ageing roof

Roofing replacement

Peeling or chalky paint

Worn finish or moisture in the wood

Exterior painting

Several of the above at once

The whole envelope is ageing

Full exterior renovation

What an exterior renovation in Surrey costs

Exterior prices depend on the house and on what is found behind the old cladding. The main factors:

The size of the house and number of storeys (scaffolding and access)

Cladding material, and whether old stucco or siding must be removed

Hidden damage to sheathing or framing once walls are opened

Number and type of windows and doors

Roof size, pitch and material

Trim, soffits, gutters, paint and permits

Price my exterior project

What protects a wall in Surrey’s climate

Cladding is only the outer layer. Most exterior failures in the Lower Mainland come from water getting past it at a window, a roof line or a penetration, and having no way out.

These details are built into every wall we clad, whichever material you choose.

Book an envelope inspection

A drained, vented rainscreen gap behind the cladding where required

A continuous weather-resistive barrier lapped to shed water downward

Sill pans and head flashing at every window and door

Kick-out flashing where roofs meet walls

Gutters and downspouts that carry water well away from the foundation

Clearance between siding and the ground, decks and roofs

Sealed penetrations for vents, pipes, lights and outlets

The right order for exterior work

Working from the top down and from the inside layers out is what lets each part tie into the next without leaks.

Inspect and design

We look for moisture, rot and failed flashing, then agree on materials, colours and scope.

Windows and doors

New units are installed and flashed into the wall before any cladding goes on.

Roof first

If the roof needs replacing, it goes first so everything below is protected.

Barrier, cladding and paint

Weather barrier, rainscreen, siding or stucco, trim and paint, finished in the drier months where possible.

Homeowner reviews

Reviews from homeowners we've worked with.

Vancouver homeowners who entrusted us with their biggest investment — and what they had to say afterwards. Every review on this site is verified and linked to a real Google profile.

Delivered our full-home reno on time and on the original quote. No surprise change-orders. The PM texted photos every Friday — best contractor experience we've had in Vancouver.

Sarah K.

Kitsilano - Full-Home

Renovation

We added a legal basement suite to help with the mortgage. They handled every City of Burnaby permit. Tenant-ready in 12 weeks — now rents for $2,300/mo. They paid for themselves.

Mike & Rita G.

Burnaby - Legal

Secondary Suite

Our 1970s ensuite became a spa. Heated floors, walk-in shower, custom vanity. The design studio nailed our vision and the trades were respectful of our home every single day.

Jenny L.

North Vancouver

Bathroom

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Where we work

From Surrey to Vancouver, White Rock and Burnaby.

Total Renovations, a trusted renovation company located in Surrey, proudly works with homeowners across the Lower Mainland, offering comprehensive renovation services designed to enhance the comfort, functionality, and value of their homes.

Exterior FAQ

Surrey exterior renovation questions

Stucco, rainscreen, siding choices, permits, painting season, windows, moss and rebates.

How do I know if my stucco is letting water in? j

Warning signs include cracks that keep reopening, dark staining below windows or at corners, bulging areas, and soft or musty spots inside on exterior walls. Some damage shows no outside signs at all, which is why we moisture-test the wall before recommending repair or replacement.

Do I need a rainscreen when I replace my siding? i

What is the best siding for Surrey's rainy climate? i

Do I need a permit for exterior renovation in Surrey? i

When is the best time to paint the outside of a house in Surrey? i

Should I replace windows at the same time as siding? i

Is moss on my roof a problem? i

Are there rebates for new windows or exterior upgrades? i

How do I get an exterior renovation estimate? i