Cupboard handle tightening in Exeter
Professional cupboard handle tightening services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Every cupboard handle in your kitchen tightened properly. No more wobbling, rattling, or handles about to fall off. Quick job that makes a surprising difference.
That Annoying Rattle Every Time You Open a Door
You grab the cupboard handle and it rattles before it opens. Or worse, it's so loose you think it's going to come off in your hand. You've been meaning to tighten them for months.
Then you start, do two handles, realize you've got 28 more to go, and give up.
💡 Pro tip: Loose handles aren't just annoying - they damage the door. The wobbling enlarges the screw holes until eventually screws won't hold at all. Tightening them regularly prevents expensive door replacements.
Common Handle Problems
| Issue | What's Happening | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rattling when touched | Screws slightly loose | Tighten screws |
| Visibly wobbly | Screws very loose or holes worn | Tighten or repair holes |
| Handle twisted | Only one screw tight | Check both screws, tighten |
| Won't stay tight | Screw holes worn/stripped | Repair holes, use filler |
What You Get
🔧 Full Kitchen Service
- Every cupboard handle checked
- All screws tightened properly
- Worn holes repaired if needed
- Loose knobs secured
📦 Common Fixes Included
- Tightening loose screws (obviously)
- Toothpick/matchstick hole repair for stripped holes
- Longer screws if originals too short
- Handle realignment if sitting crooked
✅ Solid Handles
- No more rattling
- Secure and stable
- Properly aligned
- Opening smoothly
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Full kitchen (20-30 handles) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Bathroom + kitchen | 30-40 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum callout. While I'm there with tools out, I'll do all handles in the house - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, wherever. Same visit, same price.
Worn Screw Holes - How We Fix
When screw holes are stripped and won't hold anymore:
- Matchstick method - jam matchsticks/toothpicks with wood glue into hole, trim flush, rescrew
- Filler method - wood filler in hole, drill new pilot hole when dry
- Longer screws - if door thickness allows, use longer screws through to other side
- Reposition handle - move up/down 5mm, drill new holes in fresh wood
All better than living with handles falling off or replacing doors.
Common In These Situations
✅ Flat-pack kitchens - IKEA, B&Q, etc - handles always come loose
✅ Rental properties - years of tenants yanking handles
✅ Old kitchens - 10+ years of use, all screws loose
✅ Recently fitted kitchen - fitters rushed, didn't tighten properly
Why Choose Us for Cupboard handle tightening in Exeter?
All handles solid and secure
No more rattling or wobbling
Prevents handle falling off
Quick fix for whole kitchen
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey
Quick look round - how many handles, how loose, any obvious damage or worn holes.
Step 2: Systematic Tightening
Go round every cupboard, every drawer, tighten all screws, check handles sit straight and secure.
Step 3: Repair Work
Any handles that won't tighten (worn holes) - repair properly so they hold.
🔧 DIY Tips
Tightening handles yourself is genuinely simple - just time-consuming if you've got loads:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdriver (usually Pozidriv or Phillips)
- Or electric drill with screwdriver bit
- Matchsticks or toothpicks (for repairs)
- Wood glue (if repairing holes)
🔨 How to do it
- Open door/drawer - easier access to screws
- Check handle position - should be straight
- Tighten both screws - inside the cupboard
- Don't over-tighten - chipboard cracks easily
- Test handle - should feel solid, not rattle
- Repeat for all handles - yes, all of them
🔨 For stripped holes
- Remove handle completely
- Put wood glue on matchsticks - snap to length
- Jam matchsticks into screw hole - fill it completely
- Let dry 30 mins
- Trim flush with craft knife
- Refit handle - screws will bite into new wood
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Over-tightening chipboard (cracks and makes it worse)
- Only tightening handles you notice are loose (do them all)
- Using wrong screwdriver (strips the screw heads)
- Not checking inside for washers that have fallen off
💡 Pro trick: Tighten handles twice a year - spring and autumn, same time as clocks change. Takes 10 minutes, prevents them getting really loose. Much easier to maintain than repair later.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Flat-pack furniture? IKEA, B&Q, Wickes kitchens all use thin chipboard which doesn't hold screws well. Handles work loose faster. Not a problem - just needs regular tightening. Some customers have me do it annually along with other maintenance.
Drawer handles worse: Drawer handles pull outward more than cupboard doors, so they loosen faster. Check drawers first - they're usually the worst culprits.
While I'm there: Got other handles needing attention? Door handles, window handles, wardrobe handles - I'll do them all for the same callout. Might as well sort everything in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cupboard handles keep coming loose?
It's the vibration from opening and closing doors. Every time you pull a handle, it loosens the screw slightly. After months of use, they're rattling around. Cheap flat-pack furniture is worse for this - thin material doesn't hold screws well.
Can you do the whole kitchen in one visit?
Yes - that's the point. Most kitchens have 20-30 handles. Takes me 20-30 minutes to go round and tighten everything properly. Much better than you doing two handles, getting bored, and leaving the rest loose.
What if the screw holes are worn out and won't tighten?
Common problem, especially in chipboard doors. I can plug the holes with matchsticks and glue, move the handle slightly up/down, or use longer screws through to the inside. Various tricks to make them hold properly again.
Will they just come loose again in a few months?
Probably - that's just how handles work with regular use. But tightening them takes 30 seconds per handle once you're set up. Some people have me come annually to do all the handles, smoke alarms, and other fiddly maintenance in one hit.
Can you replace broken handles while you're there?
If you've bought replacements, yes. If handles are actually broken (not just loose), let me know when you book so I can advise on buying the right ones. Matching existing handles can be tricky if they're discontinued.
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