Sundial installation in Exeter
Professional sundial installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Sundial installation with proper alignment to true north and levelling for accurate solar time. Secured to plinth or base.
More Than Just a Garden Ornament
A properly installed sundial actually works - tells you the time using the sun. But only if it's mounted level and aligned correctly. Otherwise it's just decorative (which is fine, but seems a waste).
💡 Pro tip: For Exeter (longitude 3.5°W), you need to add about 14 minutes to sundial time to get GMT. There are correction tables for different times of year too.
Getting It Right
| Needs | Why |
|---|---|
| True level | Horizontal sundials need perfect level or times are wrong |
| True north alignment | Gnomon must point north (true, not magnetic) |
| Clear sun exposure | Shadows from buildings/trees make it useless |
| Secure mounting | Prevent theft and toppling in wind |
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sundial, existing plinth | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Positioning and aligning on lawn | 45-60 mins | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum + £50/hr.
Why Choose Us for Sundial installation in Exeter?
Mounted perfectly level for accuracy
Aligned to true north (not magnetic)
Secured to prevent theft or toppling
Positioned for maximum sun exposure
What to Expect
Step 1: Position
Assess best location for sun exposure, position sundial, check it's actually going to work where you want it.
Step 2: Level & Align
Get it perfectly level, then align gnomon to true north (not magnetic).
Step 3: Secure
Fix to plinth or base so it won't topple or walk off.
🔧 DIY Tips
🔧 You'll need: Spirit level, compass (with magnetic declination correction), mounting hardware
💡 Getting north right:
- Magnetic north ≠ true north
- For Exeter, magnetic declination is about 1° west (changes slowly over years)
- Use Polaris (North Star) method at night for accurate true north
- Or use noon sun shadow method
⚠️ Common mistakes: Using magnetic north (wrong), not levelling properly, positioning where it'll be shaded
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Decorative vs functional: If you just want it to look nice, alignment doesn't matter. But if you want it to actually work, it needs proper installation.
Exeter's latitude: We're at 50.7°N - matters for some sundial types. Most horizontal sundials are latitude-independent once properly aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sundials need to be aligned a specific way?
Yes - the gnomon (the bit that casts the shadow) needs pointing to true north for the sundial to tell accurate time. True north isn't the same as magnetic north, so you can't just use a compass. I use a proper method to get it right.
Does it need to be perfectly level?
For a horizontal sundial (most common type), yes - needs to be level or the times will be off. It's not decorative, it's functional. If you want it to actually work, it needs doing properly.
Where's the best place to position a sundial?
Somewhere that gets sun all day - no good putting it in a shady spot. Central lawn position is traditional. Needs to be away from buildings or trees that'll cast shadows on it. I'll advise based on your garden.
Can you install on a plinth or do you need flat ground?
Either works. Plinths actually make positioning easier - get it up off the ground where it's more visible. I can install on existing plinths or flat bases. The important bit is getting it level and aligned, not what it's mounted on.
Will it tell the right time?
It'll tell solar time, which isn't quite the same as clock time. You need to adjust for longitude and daylight saving. But yes, if properly aligned and level, it'll be accurate to within a few minutes. There are charts that show the corrections needed.
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