Nesting box install in Exeter
Professional nesting box install services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bird nesting box mounted securely at the correct height and orientation for your target species. Gives garden birds a safe place to raise their young.
Help Garden Birds Thrive
Natural nesting sites are disappearing - old trees with holes, thick hedges, and ivy-covered walls are increasingly scarce. A properly positioned nesting box gives birds a safe alternative and brings brilliant wildlife into your garden.
💡 Pro tip: Different entrance hole sizes attract different species. 25mm holes suit blue tits, coal tits, and marsh tits. 28mm attracts great tits and tree sparrows. 32mm brings nuthatches and house sparrows. Open-front boxes attract robins and wrens.
Why Positioning is Everything
Stick a box anywhere and birds will ignore it. Get the height, direction, and location right and you'll likely have residents within a year.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| 2-4m high (depending on species) | Too low or ridiculously high |
| Entrance facing north to southeast | Facing west into rain and wind |
| Sheltered by foliage but not blocked | Completely exposed or totally hidden |
| Away from cat/predator routes | Right where cats patrol or jump |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Survey | Best location identified based on species and access |
| Mount | Box fixed securely at correct height and angle |
| Check | Stability tested, entrance clear, no wobble |
📦 You're Left With
- Nesting box correctly positioned for success
- Secure mounting that won't shift
- Advice on what species to expect
- Satisfaction you're helping garden birds
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single nesting box | 20-30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum callout. Multiple boxes done together save time - combined into one visit.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Wildlife-friendly garden - encourage nesting birds
✅ Bought a nesting box - not sure where/how to mount it
✅ Seen birds investigating - give them a proper home
✅ High mounting needed - needs ladder work you'd rather not do
Why Choose Us for Nesting box install in Exeter?
Mounted at the correct height for target species
Entrance hole facing the right direction
Secure fixing that won't shift in wind
Positioned away from predator access routes
What to Expect
Step 1: Choose the Spot
I'll look at where you've got birds visiting, check for sheltered spots at the right height, and make sure it's away from predator routes. Orientation matters - entrance needs to face north to southeast ideally.
Step 2: Mount Securely
The box gets fixed firmly to the tree, wall, fence, or shed using appropriate fixings. It needs to be stable but slightly tilted forward so rain doesn't enter. Height depends on species - typically 2-4m for tits, 1-2m for robins.
Step 3: Final Check
I'll make sure it's secure, the entrance is clear, and there's no wobble. I'll also point out any nearby features that might attract predators (like overhanging branches cats could use) so you can trim them if needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to put up your own nesting box? Here's the right way:
🔧 What you'll need
- The nesting box
- Suitable fixings (screws/nails/wire depending on surface)
- Ladder or steps (for height)
- Cordless drill (if fixing to wood)
- Spirit level (helpful but not essential)
- Secateurs (to clear any obstructions)
🐦 Choosing the location
- Height: 2-4m for tits and sparrows, 1-2m for robins/wrens
- Direction: North, northeast, or east-facing entrance (avoid west/south)
- Shelter: Some foliage nearby but entrance clear
- Avoid: Direct sun, driving rain, cat highways
- Tilt: Slight forward tilt stops rain entering
🔨 Mounting securely
- Use rust-proof screws or galvanised wire
- On trees: wire around trunk (allows for growth) or screw carefully
- On walls/sheds: drill and plug, then screw firmly
- Check it doesn't wobble - birds abandon unstable boxes
- Make sure entrance isn't blocked by branches
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Mounting too low (cats can reach) or ridiculously high (birds avoid it)
- Entrance facing into prevailing wind and rain (gets waterlogged)
- Right where cats patrol fence tops (easy predator access)
- Not tilting forward slightly (rain enters, eggs get wet)
💡 Pro trick: Put several boxes around your garden spaced at least 5m apart. Different species have different territories, and you'll increase the chance of occupancy. Also, if one box fails to attract residents, others might succeed.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐦 When will birds use it? Maybe this spring, maybe next year. Birds investigate potential sites throughout the year but usually commit to nesting in February-April. Don't be discouraged if it's not used immediately - persistence pays off.
Maintenance: Clean the box out in October-November after nesting season ends. Open it, remove old nesting material (wear gloves - parasites!), brush it out, and leave empty for next season. Never disturb it March-August when birds are nesting.
Multiple boxes: If you want to attract different species, I can install several boxes in one visit. Robins and wrens like open-fronted boxes low down. Tits prefer enclosed boxes with small holes higher up. Spacing them 5m+ apart works well.
Seen birds inspecting it? That's a great sign! They're checking it out. Keep watching from a distance (never disturb them), and with luck you'll see them bringing nesting material in spring. Once they start, leave them completely alone until you hear chicks or see fledglings leave.
Older house with potential nest sites already? Birds might prefer natural holes in walls, soffits, or eaves. But adding boxes still helps - it gives them options and encourages more breeding pairs into your garden. More birds = better pest control (caterpillars, aphids, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should a nesting box be?
Depends on the species you're targeting. Blue tits and great tits need boxes 2-4m high. Robins prefer 1-2m. Sparrows like colonies at 2-4m. I'll advise based on what box you have and which birds you've seen in your garden.
Which direction should the entrance hole face?
North to southeast is ideal - avoids direct sun and driving rain. Never face it west into prevailing wind and rain. I'll check the orientation when I install it and make sure it's positioned correctly for your location.
Can you install it on my fence or does it need a tree?
Either works. Trees, walls, fences, and shed sides are all fine as long as they're sturdy and away from predator routes (like where cats walk along fence tops). I'll find the best spot when I see what you've got.
When should nesting boxes be installed?
Autumn and winter are ideal - gives birds time to find them before spring nesting season. But any time works. They might not be used until next season if installed in summer, but that's fine.
Do I need to clean it out?
Yes, once a year in autumn after nesting season. I can show you how to do this safely - just open it, clear out old nesting material, and leave it empty for the next season. Never disturb it during spring/summer when birds might be nesting.
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