Smoke alarm installation in Exeter
Professional smoke alarm installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Smoke alarm fitted to your ceiling in the correct position for early fire detection. Tested to confirm it works, battery fitted, ready to protect your home.
The Safety Essential
Every home needs working smoke alarms - they save lives, simple as that. But they only work if positioned correctly and actually functioning. DIY fitting often puts them in the wrong spots.
💡 Pro tip: Smoke alarms should be on the ceiling (or high on walls), away from corners where air doesn't circulate. About 30cm from walls and corners is ideal. And never in the kitchen - you'll have false alarms every time you cook.
Correct Positioning Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Every floor has an alarm | Only one for whole house |
| Hallways and landings covered | Stuck anywhere convenient |
| Away from corners and vents | In dead air spaces |
| Tested before leaving | Assumed it works |
Where alarms should go:
- Minimum: One per floor, usually hallway/landing
- Better: Also in rooms where people sleep
- Avoid: Kitchens (false alarms), bathrooms (steam), garages (fumes)
- Position: Centre of hallway/landing ceiling, away from corners
What You Get
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Advise on best locations for your layout |
| Fix | Mount alarm securely to ceiling |
| Test | Fit battery, test alarm functions properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Working smoke alarm
- Correctly positioned
- Battery fitted and tested
- Instructions left nearby
Pricing Guide
| Number of Alarms | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single alarm | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| 2-3 alarms | 45 mins | £60 |
| Whole house (4-5) | 1 hr | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Doing your whole house in one visit makes sense.
Why Choose Us for Smoke alarm installation in Exeter?
Positioned in the right location
Tested before we leave
Battery fitted and working
Multiple rooms done together
What to Expect
Step 1: Plan Positions
We work out the best positions for smoke alarms based on your house layout - covering all floors and sleeping areas.
Step 2: Mount Securely
Each alarm gets mounted to the ceiling with appropriate fixings. Plasterboard ceilings need proper fixings, not tiny screws.
Step 3: Test Everything
Batteries go in, I test each alarm actually works (the test button), and show you how to silence false alarms without removing batteries.
🔧 DIY Tips
Smoke alarm fitting is straightforward if you get the position right:
🔧 Tools needed
- Drill with appropriate bit
- Screwdriver
- Stepladder
- Pencil for marking
- The smoke alarm itself
📍 Choosing position
- Centre of ceiling in hallway or landing
- At least 30cm from walls and corners
- Away from air vents or extractor fans
- Never in kitchen or bathroom
- Every floor needs one minimum
🔩 Mounting securely
- Use plugs and screws (not just screws into plasterboard)
- Ceiling needs proper cavity fixings if hollow
- Follow the mounting template if supplied
- Check it's firm before letting go
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Putting in kitchen (too many false alarms)
- Too close to corners (smoke doesn't reach it)
- Using battery that's already half flat
- Not testing before putting tools away
💡 Pro trick: Test your smoke alarms monthly with the test button. Change batteries yearly (or get 10-year sealed battery alarms). Alarms themselves need replacing every 10 years - they do wear out.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Whole house? Regulations say every floor needs a smoke alarm minimum. Doing them all at once makes sense - I'm already there with the tools.
Battery or mains? Battery alarms are simpler to fit (no electrical work). Get ones with long-life batteries or 10-year sealed units. Mains-powered alarms need an electrician.
Interlinked alarms? These are brilliant - one goes off, they all go off throughout the house. Wireless ones are available now that don't need wiring between them. Highly recommended if you've got a big house or sleep upstairs.
Exeter's old houses? Thick ceilings need longer screws. Lath and plaster ceilings need gentle drilling. I've fitted hundreds in Devon's older properties - know what works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should smoke alarms be fitted?
Every floor needs one minimum - hallway/landing is typical. Ideally also in rooms where you sleep. NOT in kitchens (too many false alarms) or bathrooms (steam sets them off). I'll advise on best positions for your house.
Do you provide the smoke alarm?
Either way works. You can buy the alarm you want, or I can pick one up. I'd recommend optical/photoelectric alarms for most homes - fewer false alarms than ionisation types.
Can you fit to my ceiling?
Yes - ceiling mounting is standard for smoke alarms. The smoke rises to the ceiling, so that's where the detector needs to be. I'll use appropriate fixings for your ceiling type.
What about interlinked alarms?
Great idea - when one goes off, they all go off throughout the house. You can get wireless interlinked alarms now that don't need wiring between them. I can fit these - just needs a bit more setup time.
How long does fitting one alarm take?
Usually 15-20 minutes per alarm including testing. Multiple rooms? We'll do them all in one visit - makes sense to sort your whole house at once.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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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