The "No Job Too Small" Handyman

After 18+ years in Exeter, I've learned that the small jobs matter most. The dripping tap keeping you awake. The sticking door that frustrates you daily. The loose fence panel making your garden look shabby.

Big companies won't come out for these jobs. I will.

18+

Years Serving Exeter

£45

Minimum Call-Out

100%

Satisfaction Guarantee

Common Home Repairs We Handle

1. Door Repairs

The most common request in my 18 years. Exeter's Victorian and Edwardian properties are beautiful, but those old doors need attention:

Sticking Doors

• Problem: Door catches on frame, won't close properly
• Cause (Victorian/Edwardian): Building settlement, timber swelling from Devon's damp climate
• Fix: Plane down high spots, adjust hinges, rehang if necessary
• Price: £45-£75
• Time: 30-60 minutes

Broken Door Handles & Locks

• Problem: Handle loose or broken, lock not catching
• Victorian property issue: Original mortice locks often need replacement
• Fix: Tighten screws, replace handles, install new locks
• Price: £50-£95 (including hardware)

Draught-Proofing

• Problem: Cold air whistling through gaps
• Victorian/Edwardian challenge: Original single-glazed doors with large gaps
• Fix: Brush strips, compression seals, threshold strips
• Price: £60-£90 per door
• Saving: Reduces heating bills - pays for itself

Squeaking Doors

• Fix: Remove hinges, clean, lubricate, replace pins if worn
• Price: £45 (minimum call-out covers this)

New Interior Doors Fitted (Door Hanging)

• What: New internal doors hung to existing frames - trimmed to size, hinges recessed, latch and handles fitted
• Includes: Fitting your door, or I can supply from Howdens or Travis Perkins (Marsh Barton)
• Price: £80-£120 per door (labour) · £POA if I supply the door
• Time: 1-2 hours per door, whole-house sets over a day or two
• Note: Old Exeter frames are rarely square - I scribe each door to its own opening rather than fitting a straight door to a wonky frame

New Door Handles, Latches & Hinges

• What: Swap dated or broken interior door handles for new ones, matched across the house if you want a consistent look
• Includes: Lever-on-rose, lever-on-backplate, privacy sets for bathrooms, new latches and hinges where the old ones are worn
• Price: £35-£55 per door (fitting), or £45 per door with a set of new hinges - hardware extra unless you supply it
• Tip: Bring me one old handle and I'll match the backset and spindle so the new set fits without re-cutting

2. Plumbing Repairs (Basic)

Note: For gas work or major plumbing, I work with Gas Safe certified plumbers. The repairs below are within handyman scope.

Dripping Taps

• Problem: The classic "drip-drip-drip" that wastes water and sleep
• Cause: Worn washer or cartridge
• Fix: Replace washer (traditional taps) or cartridge (modern mixers)
• Price: £50-£70
• Exeter water note: Hard water damages washers faster - I carry spares

Toilet Repairs

• Running toilet (faulty flapper valve) - £55-£75
• Weak flush (limescale in rim holes) - £50-£70
• Loose toilet seat - £45 or free with other jobs
• Toilet won't stop filling - £55-£80 (new fill valve)

Shower Heads & Hoses

• Replace blocked/limescale-clogged shower head - £50-£65
• New shower hose - £45-£60
• Re-seal shower tray or bath - £75-£120

Minor Leak Fixes

• Tighten compression fittings - £45-£60
• Replace flexible tap connectors - £55-£75
• Seal leaking waste pipes - £50-£80

3. Window Repairs

Sash Window Repairs (Common in Heavitree, St Leonards, Pennsylvania)

• Broken sash cords - Windows won't stay open - £90-£140 per window
• Rattling sashes - Draught and noise - £60-£95 (draught-proofing strips)
• Painted shut - Free paint seals - £55-£85 (cut seal, sand, adjust)
• Rotten sills - Wood filler repairs or timber replacement - £80-£150

uPVC & Modern Window Repairs

• Failed double glazing (misted units) - Arrange replacement, fit new units - £POA (price depends on supplier)
• New window handles - Broken, stiff or dated uPVC/aluminium handles replaced, keyed alike where possible - £45-£65 per window
• New window hinges (friction stays) - Dropped or stiff windows that won't close cleanly, new stainless hinges fitted and the sash re-aligned - £70-£110 per window including parts
• Window won't lock - £50-£75 (adjust mechanism or new espag lock)
• Whole-house handle and hinge refresh - discounted per-window rate, ask for a price

4. Fence & Gate Repairs

Devon's wet, windy weather is hard on fences. Storm damage is common:

Fence Panel Replacement

• Problem: Broken/rotten panel after storms
• Price: £75-£120 per panel (including 6'x6' panel from local supplier)
• Time: 60-90 minutes per panel
• Exeter suppliers: I use Travis Perkins or Jewson (Marsh Barton) for quality panels

Fence Post Repairs

• Wobbly post (concrete in) - £65-£95
• Rotten post replacement - £90-£140 (concrete spur repair) or £120-£180 (full post replacement)
• Gravel board replacement - £55-£85

Gate Repairs

• Sagging gate (new hinges/bracing) - £70-£110
• Gate won't latch - £45-£65
• Rotten gate replacement - £POA (depends on size/style)

5. Roof Tile & Lead Flashing Repairs

Small roof repairs, done from a proper access tower - not a ladder balanced on the gutter. Most leaks on Exeter's tiled and slated roofs come from a slipped tile or failed lead flashing where the roof meets a chimney, wall or dormer, and they're a half-day fix rather than a roofing-company job.

Lead Flashing

• Problem: Damp patch on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney breast, especially after driving rain; flashing lifted, cracked or pulled out of the mortar joint
• Fix: Re-dress and re-fix existing lead into the chase, or cut and fit new Code 4 lead step and cover flashing, chased into the brickwork and pointed or sealed
• Chimney back gutter and apron - re-dressed or renewed at the same time if it's letting water in
• Price: £120-£200 to re-fix and seal existing lead · £250-£550 for new lead flashing to one side of a chimney or abutment (labour and lead)
• Time: Half a day to a day, weather permitting

Slipped, Cracked & Missing Tiles

• Re-fix slipped tiles or slates - £80-£140 for the first few, then per tile
• Replace cracked or missing concrete/clay tiles (matching where possible) - £90-£160
• Ridge and hip tiles re-bedded and pointed - £25-£40 per tile
• Valley cleared and minor lead valley repairs - £100-£200

What I don't do on roofs

• Full re-roofs, re-slating large areas or structural timber work - I'll recommend a roofer
• Chimney rebuilds above the flashing line
• Anything that needs scaffolding across the whole elevation - I'll tell you honestly if it's beyond a tower job

6. Damp & Mould Issues

Exeter's coastal Devon climate creates damp challenges. Not all damp needs a specialist:

Condensation Mould

• Problem: Black mould on walls, around windows
• Cause: Poor ventilation, cold walls
• Fix: Anti-mould wash, ventilation improvement advice, mould-resistant paint
• Price: £75-£140 (treatment and painting)

Leaking Gutters Causing Damp

• Problem: Overflow running down walls
• Victorian/Edwardian issue: Cast iron gutters often leak at joints
• Fix: Clear blockages, seal joints, replace sections if needed
• Price: £65-£150 depending on extent

When to Call a Specialist

I'll be honest if damp is beyond handyman scope:

• Rising damp (DPC issues) - Needs specialist
• Penetrating damp (wall problems) - Needs structural survey
• Major leaks - Needs plumber/roofer

I can recommend trusted Exeter specialists and coordinate with them if needed.

7. Tile Repairs

Loose/Broken Tiles (Kitchen & Bathroom)

• Problem: Cracked tiles, tiles coming off wall
• Fix: Remove damaged tile, prepare surface, replace, grout
• Challenge: Matching old tiles (I keep common whites/creams in stock)
• Price: £55-£85 for 1-3 tiles

Re-Grouting

• Problem: Discolored, mouldy, or missing grout
• Fix: Rake out old grout, clean, apply fresh grout, seal
• Price: £95-£180 (small bathroom), £140-£250 (kitchen splashback)

8. Electrical Repairs (Basic)

Note: For major electrical work, I work with Part P certified electricians. The repairs below are within handyman scope.

Light Fittings

• Replace bulbs (especially high/awkward ones) - Often free with other jobs
• Install new light fitting - £50-£85
• Replace pull cord switch - £50-£70
• Install dimmer switch - £55-£75

Socket/Switch Replacement

• Replace cracked/discolored sockets - £45-£60 each
• Tighten loose faceplates - Often included with other work

9. Miscellaneous Repairs

Floorboard Repairs

• Squeaky floorboards - £50-£85 (screw down, add adhesive)
• Loose/broken boards - £65-£120 (replace section)
• Victorian property note: Original boards are valuable - I repair rather than replace where possible

Skirting Board & Architrave

• Replace damaged sections - £60-£100 per meter
• Fill gaps (shrinkage) - £55-£85
• Repaint - See Painting Services

Silicone Sealant

• Bath/shower seals - £60-£95
• Kitchen worktop seals - £55-£85
• Window sills - £45-£70

Emergency & Same-Day Repairs

Some repairs can't wait. I offer same-day service for urgent issues:

Exeter Property Expertise

Victorian & Edwardian Properties

Exeter has thousands of period properties (built 1840-1920). I've worked on hundreds:

• Original Features - I respect and preserve period details (sash windows, picture rails, cornicing)
• Lime Plaster - Requires different approach than modern gypsum
• Solid Walls - No cavity, prone to damp - I understand the issues
• High Ceilings - I have the proper ladders and equipment
• Building Movement - Normal for old buildings - I work with it, not against it

Modern Estates (Cranbrook, Monkerton, Pinhoe)

New builds have different challenges:

• Snagging Issues - Common in first 2 years (I can handle builder warranty work)
• Plasterboard Walls - Require care when fixing heavy items
• Integrated Systems - Modern electrics, heating controls
• Warranty Compliance - I'm aware of NHBC requirements

Student Properties

Landlords and letting agents regularly use my services:

• End of Tenancy Repairs - Quick turnaround before new tenants
• Wear & Tear - Door handles, locks, decorating touch-ups
• Compliance - Understand HMO regulations
• Multiple Units - Can schedule batch repairs across portfolio

Real Repair Stories from Exeter

Why Choose Me for Home Repairs?

Pricing Guide

Repair Type	Typical Price
Dripping tap repair	£50-£70
Sticking door adjustment	£45-£75
Replace door handle/lock	£50-£95
Fence panel replacement	£75-£120
Sash window cord replacement	£90-£140
Tile replacement (1-3 tiles)	£55-£85
Toilet cistern repair	£55-£80
Silicone resealing (bath/shower)	£60-£95

Minimum Call-Out: £45 (covers most small repairs, 30-45 minutes work)

Frequently Asked Questions

Areas Covered

Home repair services across all of Exeter and surrounding areas:

• City Centre
• Heavitree
• St Thomas
• Pinhoe
• Whipton
• Wonford
• Pennsylvania
• St Leonards
• Alphington
• Stoke Hill
• Newtown
• St David's
• Cranbrook
• Monkerton
• Topsham
• Exminster

Also covering: Exmouth, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Crediton, and surrounding Devon villages.

How to Book a Repair