- Handyman
- Installation & Setup
- Moving & Settling In
Shelf & Wall Storage Installation
Want to add shelves, floating shelves, a closet storage system, wall-mounted garage storage or a single wall cabinet, but not sure whether your wall can take the weight or which mounting method to use? Your handyman chooses a suitable mounting method based on the product, how it will be used, what you plan to put on it and the actual wall, then installs the shelf or storage piece on the wall securely and level. If needed, your handyman can also remove old shelving and reinstall it.
- Service area
- Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond
Common issues
Open shelves in a living room, bedroom or study
Install bracket shelves or floating shelves for decor or books; shelves holding books carry more weight, so the mounting method needs to be chosen based on shelf length and the product's rating.
Shelves in a kitchen, pantry, bathroom or laundry room
Install open shelves for dishes, spices or everyday items; tiled walls or a backsplash need a suitable drill bit and suitable fasteners.
Not enough closet storage
Install wire shelving or a track-based storage system inside your existing closet, or replace or add individual shelves and closet rods.
Wall storage in a garage or basement
Install storage rails, slatwall panels, tool hooks or wall-mounted bike racks to free up floor space.
Shelves that sag, wobble or aren't level
This may be related to the fasteners, the number of brackets or the product's rating; your handyman will assess it on site and, as needed, remove and reinstall the shelf or switch to a suitable mounting method.
Reinstalling after a move
Remove shelves, closet rods or tracks from the old location and install them in the new one; patching old holes needs to be arranged separately.
A single wall cabinet in a laundry room or bathroom
Install a standalone wall cabinet or a surface-mounted medicine cabinet; only the cabinet itself is mounted, with no plumbing or electrical connections.
What the pro will do
- 1
Your handyman finds out the address, property type, the type, model, size and number of shelves or storage pieces, where they'll be installed and what you plan to put on each shelf. Your handyman also collects photos of the wall, the installation spot and the product, and confirms whether the product has already been bought and whether it comes with fasteners.
- 2
On arrival, your handyman identifies the wall material and locates the studs and any detectable hidden wiring and pipes, then confirms the mounting method, layout, height and shelf spacing based on the product instructions and the expected load, and confirms the work and price.
- 3
Your handyman installs the brackets, tracks, system or cabinet according to the agreed layout, cuts tracks or shelves to size as needed and levels everything. If it turns out on site that the wall needs to be opened up for reinforcement, the wall needs to be altered, electrical connections are needed, or other work outside this service is required, your handyman will stop that work first; this work isn't covered by this service and needs to be arranged separately.
- 4
When finished, your handyman checks that everything is level and secure, cleans up the work area, and explains the product's rated load capacity, how to place heavy items and what to look out for day to day.
Good to know
Have product details ready
Share the product model or purchase link, the size, the maximum load shown on the packaging, and whether the product comes with wall screws; for some products, wall fasteners have to be bought separately.
Tell your handyman what you'll put on it
Let your handyman know whether each shelf will hold decor, books, dishes, tools or bikes. Books and dishes are heavy, and a fully loaded shelf may exceed what a light-duty shelf can hold.
Clear the installation area
Before the installation, move furniture and belongings away from the wall, and please empty the closet first, so your handyman can measure and work.
Keep heavy items low and spread out
Heavy items are best placed on lower shelves and spread out evenly; on floating shelves, avoid concentrating heavy items along the front edge, so the fasteners aren't put under extra strain.
Don't exceed the product's rated load
How much a shelf can hold depends on the product's rating and the actual mounting method; don't climb on shelves or hang from storage pieces.
Check regularly
If you notice a shelf sagging noticeably, a bracket coming loose or cracks appearing in the wall, remove heavy items first and arrange an inspection. Wood and board shelves may gradually sag after bearing weight over a long time.
Use plug-in or battery shelf lights
This service only installs battery-powered or plug-in shelf lights, with the cord run along exposed surfaces to an existing outlet; if you need lights connected to wiring inside the wall, a licensed electrician needs to be arranged separately.
Local tips
Prepare for earthquakes
BC's emergency preparedness advice notes that strong shaking can make heavy items fall from walls and shelves. It's best to keep heavy items and glassware on lower shelves, and open shelves can be fitted with guard rails or non-slip mats to reduce items sliding off.
Strata and shared walls
Townhouse garage walls may be shared with a neighbouring unit and may also be fire separations; some garages are limited common property. Before installing on a concrete wall, a shared wall or in a common area, please check the strata bylaws first and, if needed, get written approval from the strata.
Rental homes
A landlord can set reasonable rules about tenants drilling holes in the walls; before installing fixed storage such as a full closet system, slatwall or garage tracks, it's best to get your landlord's consent first. If you remove storage pieces you installed yourself when you move out, you'll generally need to repair any damage.
Keeping basement storage dry
Health Canada recommends using lidded plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes for basement storage, not putting cardboard boxes directly on the floor, and keeping storage areas near exterior walls tidy and well ventilated.
Getting rid of old shelves
Each city has different large item pickup rules; for example, Burnaby's large item pickup only accepts freestanding shelves or cabinets, not items that were once fixed to a wall.
This service only covers installing bracket shelves, floating shelves, track shelving, ready-made closet storage systems, wall-mounted garage storage (rails, slatwall, bike racks), hook-style organizers and single wall cabinets on walls, and can include removing old pieces and reinstalling them. It doesn't include ceiling-mounted racks, assembling or anti-tip anchoring freestanding furniture, custom carpentry or custom systems, full kitchen cabinet sets and appliances, any electrical, water supply, drainage or gas connections, opening walls for reinforcement or recessed installation, wall repair and painting, fire separation repair, basement waterproofing, hazardous materials handling, sorting and organizing belongings, or other installations such as towel bars, grab bars, mirrors, TVs, artwork and curtain tracks; this work needs to be arranged separately. How much a shelf or storage piece can hold depends on the product's rating and the actual wall and mounting method. Your handyman can't guarantee that it will hold any specific weight, or that shelves will never sag after long-term use. Detecting wiring and pipes inside the wall may not pick up every location. Strata and landlord approvals and work hours depend on the actual address and the applicable rules.
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