Rental property refresh in Exeter
Professional rental property refresh services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£260-500+
Typical Duration
1-2 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Full rental property refresh - painting, repairs, fixture updates, and minor improvements. Property goes from tired to lettable, fast.
Turn Void Periods Into Rental Upgrades
That flat that's been tenanted for three years? It looks tired. Scuffed walls, grubby switches, that wonky curtain pole nobody fixed, sticky kitchen cupboards.
You can let it as-is and watch it sit empty for weeks, or spend a few days getting it properly refreshed and let it for more money to better tenants.
I've done dozens of these for Exeter landlords. It's not a full renovation - it's smart improvements that make the property look cared for again.
💡 Pro tip: The best time for a refresh is between tenancies. Tenants expect some decoration for fair wear and tear, and an empty property is much faster to work on.
What Actually Makes The Difference
Not everything needs replacing. Here's what actually improves lettability:
| ✅ Worth Doing | ❌ Waste of Money |
|---|---|
| Fresh neutral paint (or feature walls in good condition) | Expensive wallpaper tenants will damage |
| Modern chrome switches and sockets (£3 each, huge impact) | Designer light fittings |
| All door handles matching and working properly | New internal doors (unless damaged) |
| Kitchen cupboards cleaned, handles tightened | Full kitchen replacement |
| Curtain poles straight and secure | Made-to-measure curtains |
| Minor damage repaired invisibly | Anything tenants won't notice |
Typical Refresh Package
🔧 What Gets Done
| Area | Standard Work |
|---|---|
| Walls | Touch up or full repaint, fill holes, clean scuffs |
| Fixtures | Replace tired switches/sockets, fix loose handles, straighten poles |
| Repairs | Patch damage, fix sticky doors, adjust cupboards |
| Finish | Deep clean coordinated, property ready to photograph |
📦 You Get
- Property that photographs well
- Faster letting (every void week costs you rent)
- Better quality tenants (they judge by condition)
- Higher achievable rent
Pricing Guide
Every property is different - here's typical ranges:
| Property Type | Typical Work | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | Paint touch-ups, minor repairs, fixture updates | £260-400 (1-2 days) |
| 2-bed house | One room repaint, multiple repairs, refresh throughout | £400-700 (2-3 days) |
| 3-bed house | Full repaint, comprehensive repairs, fixture overhaul | £700-1200+ (4-6 days) |
Prices include my time. Materials, cleaners, or specialist trades quoted separately.
Perfect For
✅ End of long tenancy - property needs love before re-letting
✅ Problem lettings - keep getting bad tenants? Make it nice, attract better ones
✅ Rent increase - justify the rise with visible improvements
✅ Quick turnaround - empty property bleeding money, need tenants ASAP
Why Choose Us for Rental property refresh in Exeter?
Full property refresh coordinated efficiently
Painting, repairs, and minor upgrades
Faster lettings at better rent
One point of contact for everything
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment Visit
I visit the property, walk through what needs doing, and discuss priorities. What's essential for letting vs what's nice-to-have. You get a detailed quote and timeline.
Step 2: Work Phase
Property gets refreshed systematically - repairs first, decoration second. I coordinate any additional trades (cleaners, carpet, appliances). You get regular photo updates.
Step 3: Final Walkthrough
Once complete, we walk through together. I show you what's been done, you check you're happy. Property ready for photos and viewings.
🔧 DIY Tips
Landlords with time can do some of this themselves:
🔧 Tools needed
- Paint roller and brushes (get good ones, they're reusable)
- Filler (ready-mixed for small holes, powder for bigger repairs)
- Screwdrivers (for tightening handles, replacing switches)
- Sugar soap and cloths (for cleaning before painting)
- Stepladder
🎨 Painting efficiently
- Empty the room completely (much faster than cutting in around furniture)
- Sugar soap walls first - paint won't stick to grease
- Fill all holes and sand smooth before painting
- Two thin coats beats one thick coat every time
- Good brushes for cutting in save hours vs cheap ones
🔧 Smart fixes
- Replace all light switches in house with same style (cheap, huge visual improvement)
- Tighten every door handle and hinge (takes an hour, eliminates rattles)
- Magic eraser on scuffed skirting boards (faster than repainting)
- WD-40 on sticky door latches and hinges
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Painting over dirt (it shows through)
- Skipping the second coat (looks patchy in photos)
- Not protecting floors (paint splatter ruins carpets)
- Rushing the prep (it's 70% of the quality)
💡 Pro trick: Take "before" photos. When you're done, the "after" photos show the transformation. Use them in letting ads - "recently refreshed" with visual proof gets more interest.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 Multiple properties? I work with several Exeter landlords who have portfolios. We can schedule refreshes efficiently between tenancies, often getting better material rates buying in bulk.
Student areas? Properties near Exeter University need different approaches. More durable finishes, less designer touches. I know what survives student living.
Older properties? Most Exeter rentals are Victorian or 1930s with their quirks. Wonky walls, old plaster, period features. I'm used to making these look good without fighting against them.
Timing pressure? If you've got a tenant lined up starting in two weeks, I'll prioritize what makes the biggest impact and get the property ready. Not everything needs to be perfect - it needs to be lettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a rental property refresh actually include?
Depends what the property needs, but typically: walls touched up or fully repainted, scuffs and damage repaired, tired fixtures replaced (curtain poles, door handles, light switches), minor repairs sorted, and everything left clean and ready to photograph. I'll assess what'll give you the best return.
How long does a typical refresh take?
A one-bed flat needing paint touch-ups and minor repairs - usually 1-2 days. A three-bed house needing full repaint and multiple fixes - could be 3-5 days. I'll give you a timeline when I quote based on what actually needs doing.
Will this help me get higher rent?
Fresh paint, working fixtures, and a clean presentation absolutely help. Exeter rental market is competitive - properties that look cared for let faster and command better rent. I've seen landlords get an extra £50-100/month after a proper refresh.
Can you coordinate cleaners and carpet fitters too?
Yes. I work with reliable local cleaners and carpet people regularly. Rather than you chasing three different trades, I can schedule everything to flow efficiently. Repairs first, paint second, clean last - property ready to market.
Do you just paint everything magnolia?
Only if you want me to! Magnolia is safe and easy to touch up, but if you want to make the property stand out, we can discuss feature walls, modern greys, or better quality of finish. It's your property - I'll advise what works for the rental market.
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