Emergency call out in Exeter
Professional emergency call out services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£100 minimum
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Emergency call out service for urgent repairs that can't wait. I respond quickly to stop damage spreading and make your home safe and secure again.
When Things Go Wrong At The Worst Time
Pipes burst. Locks break. Things go wrong - usually at weekends or when you're least prepared for it.
You need someone who'll actually turn up quickly and fix the immediate problem, not give you an appointment for next week.
💡 Pro tip: Don't wait for a crisis. Save my number now - when you're panicking at 8pm on Saturday because water's pouring through your ceiling, you don't want to be Googling for help.
What Actually Qualifies As Emergency
| ✅ Genuine Emergency | ❌ Not An Emergency |
|---|---|
| Burst pipe flooding your home | Dripping tap you've ignored for months |
| Door won't lock after break-in | Stiff door lock |
| Major leak coming through ceiling | Small persistent leak (call normal hours) |
| Lost heating in freezing weather | Radiator slightly warm |
| Window smashed, can't secure | Blind won't stay up |
| Boiler leaking all over floor | Boiler making funny noise |
If it's causing active damage, is a security risk, or makes your home unlivable → Emergency
If it's just inconvenient but can wait until Monday → Normal booking
What Emergency Response Includes
🔧 I Will:
- Respond same day or within hours if available
- Make the immediate problem safe
- Stop ongoing damage
- Secure your property
- Provide temporary fix to get you through
- Advise on proper permanent repair
- Return to do full fix when parts/time available
📦 You Get:
- Quick response when you need it
- Problem controlled and safe
- Advice on preventing it happening again
- Honest assessment of what needs doing properly
Emergency Pricing
| Service | Minimum Charge | Additional Time |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call out | £100 (first hour) | £50/hr after |
| Same as normal but... | You're getting priority | Worth it for peace of mind |
Plus materials. The emergency premium covers dropping everything to help you now rather than next week.
Common Emergencies I Handle
✅ Burst pipes - isolate, stop flooding, cap off
✅ Security breaches - board up, temp door repairs
✅ Major leaks - stop water, trace source, temporary fix
✅ Heating failures - basic troubleshooting, make safe
✅ Storm damage - secure property, prevent further damage
✅ Lost access - help regain entry, fix locks
Why Choose Us for Emergency call out in Exeter?
Same day or next day response
Fix urgent problems quickly
Stop damage getting worse
Get your home secure again
What to Expect
Step 1: Call and Assess
When you call, I'll ask questions to understand the problem. Is it genuinely urgent? What's the immediate risk? This helps me respond appropriately and bring the right gear.
Step 2: Quick Response
If it's a real emergency and I'm available, I aim for same day. I'll give you an honest time estimate and call if I'm running late. Bring tools and basic materials to fix most common emergencies.
Step 3: Make Safe and Fix
First priority is stop the immediate damage and make things safe. Then assess what's needed for a proper fix. Sometimes I can do that there and then, sometimes we need to schedule it with proper materials.
🔧 DIY Tips
Some emergencies you CAN handle yourself:
💧 Burst pipe:
- Turn off water at stopcock (under kitchen sink usually)
- Turn off heating
- Open taps to drain system
- Call a plumber
🔒 Lost security:
- Board up broken windows from inside using ply and screws
- Change Euro cylinder lock yourself (YouTube it - genuinely easy)
- Secure damaged doors with temporary bracing
💨 Storm damage:
- Tarp over damaged roof from inside if you can reach it safely
- Never go on a roof in high wind
- Board up broken windows/doors
⚠️ When NOT to DIY
- Anything involving live electricity
- Gas - never touch it
- Anything structural that might collapse
- If you're not confident - that's fine, that's what I'm here for
☎️ When to call emergency services instead of me:
- Gas leak → Call gas emergency: 0800 111 999
- Electrical fire risk → Call electrician or fire brigade
- Structural collapse risk → Call fire brigade
- Flood from mains/sewer → Call water company
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ False emergencies: If you book emergency call out for something that's not urgent, I'll still charge the emergency rate. Be honest about urgency when you call.
Insurance claims? If the problem is insured (storm damage, burst pipe, break-in), keep receipts and photos. Many insurers cover emergency callout costs.
Prevention: Most emergencies are preventable:
- Know where your stopcock is and test it annually
- Service your boiler yearly
- Check roof and gutters before winter
- Keep door/window locks maintained
- Don't ignore small leaks
Weekends and evenings: Emergency rate applies regardless of when I come out. Saturday afternoon costs the same as Tuesday morning - you're paying for availability, not unsocial hours surcharge.
What I can't do: Anything requiring specialist certification I don't have (Gas Safe, full electrical work beyond making safe). I'll tell you honestly if you need a specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an emergency?
Anything causing immediate damage, security risk, or making your home uninhabitable. Burst pipes, broken locks after a break-in, boiler issues in winter, major leaks, lost heating in cold weather. NOT things like 'I need a shelf fitted urgently' - that's not an emergency.
Do you actually come out straight away?
If I'm available and it's a genuine emergency, yes - same day or within a few hours. If it's evening or weekend, I'll aim for same day if possible. I'll always be honest about when I can get to you.
What's the minimum charge?
£100 minimum for emergency call outs, which covers first hour plus the priority response. After that it's £50 per additional hour. Yes it's more expensive than normal jobs - you're paying for immediate availability.
What if you can't fix it immediately?
I'll make it safe and secure as a temporary fix, then schedule proper repairs. For example, if a pipe bursts I'll stop the leak and cap it off, then arrange to do the full repair properly when I've got parts.
Can you help with plumbing/electrical emergencies?
Basic emergency plumbing yes - stop leaks, isolate problems, temporary fixes. Electrical I can make safe and isolate circuits, but anything beyond that needs a proper electrician. I'll be honest about what I can and can't handle.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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