Duck house assembly in Exeter
Professional duck house assembly services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Duck houses assembled and positioned ready for your flock. I put flat-packs together properly, position them for good drainage, and make sure they're weatherproof and secure.
Because Ducks Need Shelter Too
Ducks are hardy but they still need somewhere dry to sleep and safe from foxes at night. A properly assembled duck house makes life easier for you and them.
💡 Pro tip: Ducks are messier than chickens. Position their house where mud and water won't be a problem - you'll thank yourself later.
What Makes a Good Duck House Setup
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Asking for Trouble |
|---|---|
| Assembled level and square | Wonky, doors don't close |
| Positioned for drainage | Standing in puddles |
| Weatherproof seams | Leaking rain inside |
| Predator-proof catches | Fox buffet |
What You're Getting
🔧 The Setup
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Find the best spot (drainage, access, wind protection) |
| Assemble | Put it together properly, all fixings tight |
| Level | Make sure it sits flat and doors work |
| Weatherproof | Seal joints if needed, check roof's sound |
| Test | Open doors, check ventilation, ensure it's fox-proof |
📦 End Result
- Duck house assembled and ready
- Positioned where it won't flood
- Weatherproof and secure
- Happy home for your flock
Pricing Guide
| House Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small flat-pack duck house | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Large/complex flat-pack | 2.5 hrs | £135 |
| Custom build or major setup | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Assumes you've supplied the house - I can source materials if you need a custom build.
Perfect For Your Smallholding If...
✅ New ducks - getting housing sorted before they arrive
✅ Upgrade needed - current setup not working
✅ Predator problems - need secure housing
✅ Flat-pack arrived - looks complicated in the box
Why Choose Us for Duck house assembly in Exeter?
Assembled level and weatherproof
Positioned for drainage
Secure from predators
Ready for your ducks
What to Expect
Step 1: Choose Position
We walk your land and find the best spot - good drainage, accessible for cleaning, but not in a wind tunnel.
Step 2: Assemble
I put the flat-pack together properly - wonky assembly means doors don't close and rain gets in.
Step 3: Position & Seal
Set it in place, make sure it's level, seal any gaps, check everything works.
🔧 DIY Tips
Duck house assembly is pretty straightforward DIY:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdriver or drill/driver
- Spirit level
- Hammer for stubborn bits
- Tape measure
- Wood preservative (if house isn't treated)
📐 Getting it right
- Read instructions (even if they're terrible)
- Lay out all parts first
- Build on flat ground
- Don't fully tighten until everything's aligned
- Level it before final tightening
- Test doors open and close smoothly
🔨 Positioning the house
- Slight slope for drainage
- Entrance faces away from prevailing wind
- Close enough to water for ducks, far enough to stay dry
- Accessible for you to clean out
- Can you see it from the house (predator watch)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Building where it'll finally sit (awkward if ground's not level)
- Overtightening as you go (hard to adjust later)
- No drainage - house sits in puddles
- Doors too tight or catching
- No ventilation (ducks need airflow)
💡 Pro trick: Before filling it with ducks, put some dummy bedding in and spray it with a hose. Check water runs away, not in. Much easier to move now than later.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Ventilation matters: Ducks produce a lot of moisture. Good ventilation prevents respiratory issues. Don't block air holes.
Floor substrate: Straw or wood shavings work well. Ducks poop a lot at night - you'll be changing bedding often.
Size guide: Plan for 4-6 square feet per duck inside. They're bigger than chickens and messier.
Security: Fox-proof means proper catches on doors, secure wire on windows, no gaps they can squeeze through.
Cleaning: Duck houses need regular cleaning - they're wet and messy birds. Make sure you can actually get in there to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in assembling a duck house?
Most are flat-pack designs. I put it together properly, make sure it's level and won't leak, position it where water drains away from it, and make sure doors/hatches work smoothly. Ducks are messy - good drainage matters.
Where's the best place to put it?
Slight slope is ideal so water runs away, not under the house. Near their pond/water but not so close it's always muddy. Sheltered from prevailing wind. And somewhere you can actually reach to clean it out.
Do duck houses need to be different from chicken coops?
Bit different. Ducks don't roost like chickens - they sleep on the floor. So you want good floor space, decent ventilation (they're messier/wetter than chickens), and solid flooring they can't dig through. Lower doorways are fine - ducks don't hop up like chickens.
Can I use a ready-made chicken coop?
Often yes, with some tweaks. Might need to remove roosting bars, improve ventilation, and make sure the floor's solid. Ducks are easier than chickens in some ways - less fussy about nest boxes.
How long does assembly take?
Standard flat-pack duck house takes 2-3 hours including positioning it properly. Custom-built or very large houses take longer.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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