New home safety check in Exeter
Professional new home safety check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£135
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Full new home safety check before you move in - smoke alarms tested, electrics checked, hazards identified. Move into a safe house, not discover problems after your family's already living there.
Know It's Safe Before You Move In
You're buying a house. The survey says it's structurally sound. But does the smoke alarm actually work? Are there electrical issues waiting to cause problems? Any obvious hazards your kids might find?
Wouldn't it be better to know before moving day rather than discover these things when your family's already living there?
💡 Pro tip: Book a safety check the day you get keys. Empty house = easy inspection. If there are issues, you can fix them before moving in instead of living with hazards while arranging repairs.
What I Check
🔧 Standard Safety Inspection
| Area | What I Check |
|---|---|
| Smoke alarms | Working, correctly placed, not expired, enough coverage |
| CO detectors | If you have gas - working and in right locations |
| Electrics | Sockets, switches, fuse box - obvious safety issues |
| Hazards | Trip hazards, loose fixtures, broken glass, dangerous items |
| Damp/mold | Obvious moisture issues or mold concerns |
| Windows/doors | Security, working locks, broken panes |
📦 You Get
- Written list of what I found
- Urgent vs can-wait prioritization
- Rough fix costs where relevant
- Peace of mind or action plan
Why This Matters
| ✅ Safety Check Done | ❌ No Check |
|---|---|
| Know alarms work before you need them | Discover dead alarm during a fire |
| Identify electrical issues early | Electric fault causes damage or injury |
| Fix hazards before kids explore | Child injured on something you didn't notice |
| Move in confident | Constant worry about what you might have missed |
Pricing Guide
| Property Size | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small flat/house | 1 hr | £85 |
| Average 3-bed house | 1.5 hrs | £110 |
| Large or older property | 2 hrs | £135 |
Based on £60 minimum + £50/hr. Time varies with house size and what's found.
Perfect For...
✅ Before moving in - check it's safe first
✅ Young children - identify hazards before they do
✅ Old houses - more likely to have issues
✅ Peace of mind - know what you're dealing with
Why Choose Us for New home safety check in Exeter?
Smoke alarms tested and working
Obvious hazards identified
Electrics basic safety check
Move in knowing it's safe
What to Expect
Step 1: Systematic Check
I work through the house room by room checking smoke alarms, electrics, obvious hazards, and anything that looks concerning. Taking notes as I go.
Step 2: Testing & Assessment
Test all smoke alarms and CO detectors, check sockets and switches work properly, identify any immediate safety concerns.
Step 3: Report & Recommendations
I give you a written list of what I found - what's urgent, what can wait, rough costs to fix issues, and who needs to fix what (you, electrician, etc.).
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do your own safety check? Here's what to focus on:
🔧 Critical safety items
- Smoke alarms - one per floor minimum, test button works, not expired (check date on back)
- CO detector - if you have gas, one near boiler and bedrooms
- Electrics - no burn marks on sockets, all switches work, fuse box labeled
- Trip hazards - loose carpet, damaged flooring, clutter
📐 Room-by-room checks
- Kitchen: Working smoke/heat detector, no damaged sockets near water
- Bathrooms: No exposed electrics, secure fixtures, working ventilation
- Stairs: Secure handrail, good lighting, no loose carpet
- Bedrooms: Working smoke alarm, window locks secure
- Outside: Secure paths, no trip hazards, gates/fences safe
⚠️ Red flags to watch for
- Smoke alarms that don't beep when tested
- Burn marks around sockets or switches
- Exposed wiring anywhere
- Damp patches or mold
- Cracked windows or broken locks
- Loose or damaged stairs
💡 Pro trick: Take photos of anything concerning you find. When you call the estate agent or arrange fixes, photos make it much easier to explain what needs doing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Not a replacement for specialists: This is a practical safety check, not a full electrical inspection, gas safety certificate, or structural survey. For those, you need qualified professionals. But this catches obvious issues before you move in.
Smoke alarm requirements: Law requires working smoke alarms on each floor. If they're missing or not working, that's urgent - I can fit new ones same day usually.
Carbon monoxide: If you have gas (boiler, hob, fire), you MUST have CO detectors. They're cheap and save lives. Not optional.
Old house specifics: Exeter's older properties often have electrical wiring that's technically functional but not up to modern standards. I'll flag concerns even if it's "working for now."
Quick fixes: Some things (smoke alarm batteries, tightening loose fixtures) I can sort while I'm there. Others need specialists - I'll tell you which is which.
Insurance implications: Some home insurance requires working smoke/CO alarms and certain security measures. Worth checking your policy requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a new home safety check include?
I check smoke alarms (working, correctly placed, not expired), CO detectors if you have gas, test main electrics for obvious issues, check for trip hazards, look for damp or safety concerns, and generally give you a practical safety overview. Not a full survey, but a 'is this safe to move into' check.
Is this the same as a house survey?
No - you had a survey when buying. This is a quick safety check focusing on immediate hazards and working safety equipment. Making sure smoke alarms work, no obvious electrical issues, no major safety concerns before you move your family in.
What if you find problems?
I'll tell you what I've found, whether it's urgent or can wait, and roughly what it might cost to fix. Some things (dead smoke alarm) I can sort immediately. Others (dodgy wiring) need proper professionals. At least you know before moving in.
When should I book this?
Best time is the day you get keys, before moving in. Empty house = easy to check everything. If there are issues, you can get them sorted before your stuff arrives.
How long does a safety check take?
Average 3-bed house is about 1-1.5 hours. Smaller properties quicker, larger or older houses might take 2 hours. Depends what I find and how thorough you want me to be.
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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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