Garden furniture repair in Exeter

Why Repair Instead of Replace?

Because garden furniture's expensive and most damage is fixable.

A wobbly chair doesn't mean you need a new dining set. A stuck parasol doesn't need replacing. A couple of broken slats don't condemn the whole bench. Most furniture problems are straightforward repairs that cost a fraction of replacement.

But here's the thing: you need to repair before it gets worse. A loose screw becomes a split joint becomes a collapsed chair. Catching problems early saves furniture and money.

💡 Pro tip: Annual furniture check in spring catches problems before they worsen. Tighten everything, treat any rust, replace worn parts. Furniture lasts decades instead of years. Worth doing.

---

Repair vs Replace

✅ Worth Repairing	❌ Replace Instead
Wobbly joints	Completely rotten wood
Broken individual slats	Structural frame failure
Stuck parasol mechanism	Ripped parasol fabric (expensive repair)
Surface rust	Heavy corrosion throughout
Split wood (can be glued)	Multiple components failed

I'll tell you honestly which category your furniture falls into.

---

Common Repairs I Do

🔧 Structural Fixes

Problem	Repair Approach	Typical Time
Wobbly chair joints	Disassemble, clean, re-glue, clamp	1 hr per chair
Loose screws/bolts	Replace with longer/thicker, use thread lock	30 mins
Split wooden slats	Remove, replace with new timber	1 hr
Broken backrest	Add internal bracket or splice repair	1-1.5 hrs
Metal frame rust	Wire brush, treat, paint	1 hr

☂️ Parasol Repairs

• Stuck/stiff mechanism (lubricate, free up)
• Broken ribs (replace or splint)
• Torn fabric (patch small tears, large ones uneconomical)
• Wonky pole (straighten or reinforce)

🪵 Wood Treatment

• Surface rot (cut out, fill, treat, paint)
• Loose joints (re-glue and clamp properly)
• Water damage (dry out, treat, seal)

📦 What You Get

• Furniture functional again
• Money saved vs replacement
• Honest assessment of remaining lifespan
• Preventative advice to avoid future problems

---

Repair Examples & Costs

Wobbly garden chair (loose joints)? Disassemble, re-glue with proper wood glue, clamp overnight. £60-85 per chair. Way cheaper than new set.

Broken wooden slat on bench? Remove damaged slat, cut replacement to size, fit and finish. £60-85 depending on access.

Parasol won't open/close smoothly? Clean mechanism, lubricate, adjust tension. Usually £60 callout. Replacement parasols cost £100+.

Table legs loose? Tighten fixings, add brackets if needed, stabilize. £60 for standard repair.

Metal bistro set going rusty? Wire brush rust off, treat with rust converter, touch up paint. £60-110 depending on how bad it is.

---

Pricing

Repair Type	Estimated Time	You'll Pay
Simple fix (tightening, lubrication)	1 hr	£60
Moderate repair (slat replacement, joint repair)	1-1.5 hrs	£60-£85
Complex repair (multiple issues, materials needed)	1.5-2 hrs	£85-£110

Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials (replacement parts, specialist fixings) charged at cost.

---

Perfect For You If...

✅ Furniture's basically sound - just needs tightening/fixing

✅ You'd rather repair than replace - environmental and financial sense

✅ One broken piece ruins a set - fix it rather than mismatched furniture

✅ Can't do it yourself - tools, skills, or physical ability lacking