New home orientation in Exeter
Professional new home orientation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45 mins-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Full new home orientation walkthrough - showing you where everything critical is, how it all works, and the quirks you need to know about. Less time searching for the stopcock when you need it urgently.
Know Your House Before You Need To
It's 10pm on a Tuesday. A pipe has burst. Water everywhere. Where's the stopcock?
You've lived here three months and you've got no idea. Is it under the sink? In the garage? Outside somewhere? You're googling frantically while water floods your kitchen.
💡 Pro tip: Get a home orientation the day you get keys. One hour learning where everything is could save you thousands in water damage, emergency callouts, or just wasted time.
What You Actually Learn
🔧 Critical Systems
| System | What I Show You |
|---|---|
| Water | Stopcock location, how to shut off, any other valves |
| Electric | Fuse box location, which switches control what |
| Gas | Meter location, emergency shut-off if you have gas |
| Heating | Boiler controls, thermostats, programmer, timer |
📦 Plus
- Where meters are (you'll need them for readings)
- Quirks and mysteries (why that switch does nothing)
- Potential issues I spot
- Features you might not know exist
- Outdoor taps, drains, anything useful
Why This Matters
| ✅ After Orientation | ❌ Without It |
|---|---|
| Know where stopcock is | Flood while you search for it |
| Understand fuse box layout | Flipping every switch in the dark |
| Spot issues early | Discover them when they fail |
| Confident in your home | Constantly discovering new mysteries |
Pricing Guide
| House Size | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small house/flat | 45 mins-1 hr | £60-£85 |
| Average 3-bed house | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Large or complex property | 1.5+ hrs | £85+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Time depends on house size and complexity.
Perfect For...
✅ First-time buyers - never owned a house before
✅ Just moved in - still finding light switches
✅ Old houses - full of quirks and mysteries
✅ Want confidence - know your house properly
Why Choose Us for New home orientation in Exeter?
Know where stopcock, meters, fuse box are
Understand quirks before they're problems
Spot potential issues early
Confident in your new home from day one
What to Expect
Step 1: Critical Systems Tour
We start with the important stuff - where to shut off water, gas, and electric in emergencies. These are the things you absolutely need to know.
Step 2: How Everything Works
Heating controls, thermostats, quirky switches, outdoor taps, drainage - I explain what everything does and show you how to use it properly.
Step 3: Notes & Questions
I point out anything that looks concerning or unusual. You ask questions about anything you're unsure about. I make notes and send you a summary after.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to orient yourself to your new home? Here's what to check:
🔧 Critical items to locate
- Main water stopcock (usually under kitchen sink or in cupboard)
- Fuse box / consumer unit
- Gas meter and emergency shut-off (if you have gas)
- Boiler and heating controls
- Outside stopcock (often in pavement outside)
📐 Systems to understand
- Heating - how to adjust temperature, timer, override
- Water - where main shut-off is, any additional isolation valves
- Electric - which switches control which rooms
- Drainage - where drains and manholes are
✂️ Documenting your house
- Take photos of fuse box with switches labeled
- Write down stopcock locations
- Note boiler model and service date
- Keep instruction manuals in one place
⚠️ Common things people miss
- Outside tap location (if you have one)
- Loft hatch and what's up there
- Drain access points
- Which radiators have TRVs vs lockshield valves
- Mystery switches that don't seem to do anything
💡 Pro trick: Create a "House Manual" - folder or document with photos of where key things are, model numbers of appliances, service dates, and quirks. Future you will thank you when something goes wrong.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Not a survey: This isn't a structural survey or inspection. It's a practical walkthrough showing you how your house works. I'll point out obvious issues but it's not a comprehensive property inspection.
Old houses especially: Exeter's full of Victorian and Edwardian houses with odd plumbing, mysterious wiring, and features that don't exist in modern homes. These benefit most from orientation.
Quirks and mysteries: Every house has them. Light switches that don't work (probably for an old outside light removed years ago). Pipes that go nowhere. I'll help you understand what's what.
Boiler specifics: If your boiler is complex or unfamiliar, I can show you the basics, but for anything complicated you might want the manual or a heating engineer.
Ongoing support: After orientation, if you discover something new and wonder what it is, text me a photo. Happy to advise if it's simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a new home orientation include?
I walk through the whole house with you, showing you where critical things are (stopcock, fuse box, meters, gas shut-off), how things work (boiler, heating controls, weird switches), any quirks I spot, and generally help you understand your new home. Takes about an hour.
Why would I need someone to show me around my own house?
You'd be surprised what you miss. Where's the stopcock when a pipe bursts? Which fuse controls the kitchen? Why does that light switch do nothing? I've seen hundreds of houses - I know what to look for and what new owners typically don't know.
Is this just for old houses?
Useful for any house you've just bought. Old houses have quirks and mysteries. New builds have things hidden or not obvious. Either way, knowing your house properly before you need to is valuable.
When's the best time to do this?
Ideally the day you get the keys, before moving in. Empty house, no boxes in the way, easier to access everything. But I can do it after you've moved in too if needed.
What if you find problems during the orientation?
I'll point them out and advise whether they're urgent, worth fixing soon, or just quirks to live with. Not a full survey (you had that when buying) but a practical 'things you should know' walkthrough.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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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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