Fruit cage repair in Exeter
Professional fruit cage repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Fruit cage repairs - torn netting replaced, damaged framework straightened, doors fixed. Gets your fruit protection working again without buying a whole new cage.
Don't Scrap A Repairable Cage
If your fruit cage has torn netting, bent framework, or a dodgy door, repair is often far cheaper than buying and assembling a new one. Most damage is fixable unless the whole structure is completely wrecked.
💡 Pro tip: Check your fruit cage every spring before berries ripen. Fix small tears and loose sections before they get worse - much easier than emergency repairs when birds have discovered your strawberries.
Common Fruit Cage Problems
| Problem | Typical Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Torn netting | Weather, UV degradation, caught branches | Patch or replace affected panel |
| Bent framework | Snow load, wind damage | Straighten if not cracked |
| Loose netting | Fixings failed, clips broken | Re-tension and secure properly |
| Door won't close | Frame twisted, hinges bent | Realign frame or replace hardware |
| Birds getting in | Gaps at corners or joins | Find and seal entry points |
What You Get
🔧 Typical Repairs
| Type | What's Done |
|---|---|
| Netting | Patch small tears, replace damaged sections |
| Framework | Straighten bent sections, reinforce weak points |
| Door | Rehang, fix latches, replace hinges |
| Securing | Re-tension loose netting, add extra fixings |
📦 You're Left With
- Fruit cage that's bird-proof again
- Repairs that'll last seasons
- Money saved vs buying new
- Crop protection restored
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Patch small tears, tighten netting | 1 hr | £60 |
| Replace section of netting | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Straighten frame + refit netting | 2 hrs | £110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Add materials if supplying replacement netting or fixings. Major repairs may need separate quote.
Worth Repairing If...
✅ Framework still sound - bent but not snapped or badly twisted
✅ Most netting intact - just sections damaged not whole thing perished
✅ Door and frame square - can be realigned if slightly twisted
❌ Not worth it: Whole structure collapsed, framework cracked throughout, netting rotted everywhere
Why Choose Us for Fruit cage repair in Exeter?
Torn netting patched or replaced
Bent framework straightened
Broken doors and latches fixed
Saves buying a whole new cage
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess The Damage
I'll check what's actually wrong - sometimes it's obvious (massive tear), sometimes less so (birds getting in somewhere you haven't spotted). Honest assessment of whether repair makes sense or replacement is smarter.
Step 2: Source Materials If Needed
If you need replacement netting or fixings, I can advise on what to get or supply it myself. Don't need manufacturer-original parts - generic netting works fine.
Step 3: Do The Repairs
Fix what's broken - patch or replace netting, straighten framework, sort the door, re-tension everything. Final check walking around looking for any gaps birds could exploit.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle fruit cage repairs yourself? Here's the basics:
🔧 Tools and materials needed
- Replacement netting (same gauge as existing)
- Cable ties or hog rings and tool
- Wire cutters and scissors
- Small stepladder
- Pliers for removing old fixings
- Gaffer tape for temporary patches
🔨 Repairing netting
- Cut out badly damaged section cleanly
- Overlap new netting generously over existing (10cm minimum)
- Use cable ties every 10-15cm around the overlap
- Make sure no gaps at all - test by pushing hand against joins
- Trim excess netting neatly
📐 Straightening bent framework
- Gentle pressure usually works for minor bends
- Use timber blocks and lever carefully - don't force
- If it's cracked, straightening won't help - needs replacing
- Reinforce repaired sections with splints or extra bracing
- Check frame is still square after straightening
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Skimping on overlap when joining netting - creates gaps
- Using too few cable ties - netting pulls apart
- Forcing bent frame - cracks it instead of straightening
- Not checking for hidden tears or entry points
- Temporary gaffer tape patches left for years (guilty!)
💡 Pro trick: When looking for bird entry points, get inside the cage and look outward - much easier to spot gaps and holes from the inside. Any gap you can get three fingers through is big enough for a bird.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐦 Bird behavior: Once birds know where fruit is, they're persistent. Even small gaps get exploited. Make repairs bird-proof before berries ripen - much harder to fix when birds are actively raiding.
UV degradation: Even good netting perishes eventually from sun exposure. Check yearly for brittle or weak sections. Replacement before it fails is cheaper than emergency repairs when birds have found the holes.
Winter prep: If you get snow, either remove roof netting for winter or brush snow off promptly. Even repaired framework can collapse under unexpected snow load - we don't get it often in Devon but when we do, it's heavy.
Temporary vs proper: Gaffer tape patches work fine for a few days but UV kills them fast. If you're doing temporary fixes mid-season, plan to do it properly before next year.
Replacement netting: You don't need original manufacturer netting. Generic butterfly netting or fruit cage mesh of the same gauge (usually 19mm for fruit, smaller for butterflies) works fine and is often cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you patch torn netting or does it all need replacing?
Small tears can often be patched with spare netting or repair patches - much cheaper than replacing whole panels. Big rips or widespread UV damage means replacement netting is the better option. I'll advise what makes sense when I see the damage.
My fruit cage collapsed in winter - can it be saved?
Depends how badly damaged it is. Bent framework can often be straightened if it's not actually cracked or snapped. Twisted frames are harder to rescue. Send me photos and I'll tell you honestly if repair is worth it or if you're better off replacing.
Where do I get replacement netting?
Most fruit cage manufacturers sell replacement netting separately. If you've lost the original details, I can usually work out what gauge and size you need. Generic butterfly or fruit cage netting from garden suppliers works fine too - doesn't have to be manufacturer-specific.
The frame is fine but birds are still getting in - why?
Usually gaps where netting has come loose, holes you haven't spotted, or the door not closing properly. I'll check the whole cage for entry points - birds only need a small gap. Often it's corners or where netting joins that work loose over time.
How much does replacement netting cost?
Varies hugely by size and quality. Small patches are pennies. A full replacement roof panel for a 3x3m cage might be £30-50 for the netting itself. I charge for the time to fit it properly - usually 1-2 hours depending on complexity.
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