Garden furniture in for winter in Tiverton

### Why Store Furniture Over Winter?

**Because Devon winters are wet, and wet rots wood and rusts metal.**

Six months of rain, frost, and damp will age garden furniture dramatically. Wood goes green with algae, metal rusts, fabric cushions go mouldy, rattan disintegrates. By spring, furniture that looked fine in October is often damaged beyond repair.

Storing it properly over winter means it **lasts years longer** and looks good when you bring it out again.

Plus, let's be honest: **furniture's heavy and awkward**. Moving a full garden set into a shed is back-breaking work, especially if you're doing it alone. That's worth paying someone to do.

> 💡 **Pro tip:** Clean and dry furniture thoroughly before storing. Putting damp furniture away is asking for mould. If it's been raining, wipe everything down and let it air-dry first, or store it and leave it a few days to dry out before closing everything up.

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### What Happens to Outdoor Furniture in Winter

| ✅ Properly Stored | ❌ Left Outside | |--------------------|-----------------| | Dry, clean, protected | Sodden, green with algae | | Ready to use in spring | Needs deep clean or replacing | | Lasts 10+ years | Lasts 3-5 years | | No rust on metal fixings | Rust, corrosion, seized screws | | Cushions dry and fresh | Cushions mouldy and ruined |

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### What I Do

**🔧 The Moving & Storage Process**

| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Assessment** | What furniture, where's it going, cleaning needed? | | **Clean** (optional) | Wipe down, remove debris, dry properly | | **Move** | Shift furniture to storage location safely | | **Stack/Store** | Arrange so it fits, protect from damage | | **Cover** | If not fully enclosed, use covers/tarps |

**📦 What Gets Stored** - Tables (folded if possible) - Chairs (stacked to save space) - Benches - Parasols (folded, dried first) - Cushions (must be stored dry indoors) - Sun loungers - Planters (if wanted - or left out)

**💡 You Get** - Furniture protected from winter weather - Space saved by stacking properly - Peace of mind it'll last longer - Heavy lifting done for you

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### Common Scenarios

**Full wooden dining set?** Tables and chairs stacked in shed/garage. Cleaned first if you want. Takes about an hour for typical 6-seater set.

**Rattan furniture with cushions?** Rattan must come in (disintegrates in wet). Cushions stored separately (they need airflow to prevent mould).

**Metal bistro set?** Can stay out if good quality, but stores easily and lasts longer if kept dry. Quick job, 30 minutes.

**No storage space?** I can cover furniture with proper weatherproof covers, raise it off the ground (prevents water pooling underneath), and stack it together. Not ideal but much better than fully exposed.

**Mix of furniture types?** We prioritize - cushions and fabric must come in, cheap softwood should, expensive hardwood can stay if you prefer. Your choice.

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### Pricing

| Job Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |----------|----------------|------------| | Small set (bistro table + 2 chairs) | 1 hr | **£60** | | Average set (6-seater + parasol) | 1-1.5 hrs | **£60-£85** | | Large set or multiple pieces | 1.5-2 hrs | **£85-£110** |

*Add 30 mins if cleaning required. Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.*

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### Perfect For You If...

✅ **You can't lift heavy furniture** - age, injury, physically difficult

✅ **You've got expensive furniture** - protect your investment

✅ **Limited storage space** - I can stack efficiently

✅ **Want furniture to last** - winter storage extends life dramatically