Door handle tightening in Exeter
Professional door handle tightening services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Wobbly or loose door handle tightened properly - secure and solid to use again. Simple job that stops the annoying rattle and prevents the handle falling off completely.
That Loose Handle Isn't Going To Fix Itself
You know the one. Been meaning to sort it for months. Wobbles every time you use it, rattles when you close the door, and one day it's going to fall off completely at the worst possible moment.
It takes longer to find your screwdriver than it does for me to fix it.
💡 Pro tip: If one handle's loose, check the others. They usually all start going around the same time, especially if your house was built in the same era.
Why Bother Fixing It?
| ✅ Fixed Properly | ❌ Left Wobbly |
|---|---|
| Solid to use | Gets worse over time |
| No annoying rattle | Drives you mad every day |
| Lasts for years | Eventually falls off |
| Takes 15 minutes | Stays on your "to do" list forever |
What I'll Do
🔧 Quick Diagnosis
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Screws just loose | Tighten them properly with the right tool |
| Stripped screw holes | Plug with wood filler, re-drill, secure |
| Worn spindle | Replace the square bar |
| Wrong screws | Fit proper wood screws |
📦 Result
- Handle tight and secure
- No wobble or rattle
- Works smoothly
- Job done in minutes
Typical Pricing
| Job | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single handle tightening | 10-15 mins | £60 |
| Multiple handles | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Repair stripped holes + tighten | 30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Multiple handles are much more efficient to do in one visit.
Get It Sorted If...
✅ Handle wobbles when you turn it
✅ Rattles when you close the door
✅ Dropped recently and won't stay tight
✅ Multiple handles loose around the house
Why Choose Us for Door handle tightening in Exeter?
Handle secure and solid again
No more wobbling or dropping
Quick fix - usually under 30 minutes
Works properly with no sticking
What to Expect
Step 1: Check What's Wrong
I'll look at why it's loose - just needs tightening, or is something actually worn out?
Step 2: Fix Properly
Tighten it, repair stripped holes if needed, or replace worn parts. Whatever it takes to make it solid again.
Step 3: Test It Works
Make sure the handle operates smoothly and the latch works properly. No point having a tight handle that doesn't actually work.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to have a go yourself? Here's the right way:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdriver (pozidrive or phillips - check which first)
- Wood filler (if screw holes are stripped)
- Drill with small bit (for stripped holes)
- Allen key (for some modern handles)
Tightening it properly
- Remove the handle completely (usually screws on one side)
- Check the spindle (square metal bar) isn't worn
- If screw holes are stripped, fill with wood filler and let it dry
- Reassemble with proper wood screws (not the wrong ones!)
- Tighten firmly but don't overtighten - you'll strip it again
For grub screw handles
- Small screw on the neck of the handle (needs allen key)
- These work loose constantly
- Use thread lock when you tighten them
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using the wrong screwdriver (damages the screw heads)
- Overtightening (strips the wood)
- Not checking the spindle is worn
- Trying to tighten into already-stripped holes
💡 Pro trick: Put a tiny drop of wood glue in stripped screw holes before filling them. Makes a much stronger repair.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Multiple loose handles? Let me know when you book - I'll do them all while I'm there. Much more efficient than separate visits.
Replacement needed? If the handle's actually broken (not just loose), I can replace it. Standard handles I usually have with me. For matching sets, you'll need to get the right one.
Old doors with thin wood? Common in older Exeter houses. Sometimes there's not much wood left where the screws go. I can usually relocate the fixings slightly to fresh wood.
Modern hollow doors? These need longer screws to reach the solid wood frame inside. Standard screws just spin in the hollow bit - that's often why they're loose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do door handles go loose?
Usually it's just the fixing screws working loose over time from daily use. Sometimes the spindle (the square bar that connects both handles) wears out, or the screws strip the wood. Easy fixes once you know what's causing it.
Can you fix it if the screws just spin?
Yes - the holes have probably worn out. I can plug them with wood filler or dowel and re-drill, or move the handle slightly to fresh wood. Depends what works best for your door.
What if the whole handle is broken?
If it's actually broken rather than just loose, I can replace it. I carry some standard handles, or I can fit one you've bought to match your others.
How long does tightening a door handle take?
Simple tightening is 10-15 minutes. If I need to repair stripped screw holes or replace the spindle, maybe 30 minutes. I'll let you know what's needed when I see it.
Should I do all the wobbly handles while you're here?
Absolutely - once I'm at yours with the tools out, doing multiple handles is much quicker than separate visits. Get them all sorted in one go.
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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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