Stable door repair in Exeter
Professional stable door repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Stable doors repaired to work smoothly and secure properly. I fix failed hinges, replace broken latches, adjust dropped doors - whatever it takes to get them functioning again.
When Stable Doors Won't Close Properly
A door that won't close properly is dangerous for horses and annoying for you. Horses push, kick, and lean on stable doors - they need to be bomber-proof.
💡 Pro tip: Upgrade to proper stable hinges with long screws into the framing. Standard door hinges aren't built for the abuse horses give them.
Common Stable Door Problems
| ✅ Fixed Properly | ❌ Bodge Job |
|---|---|
| Proper stable hinges with long fixings | Same cheap hinges that just failed |
| Door rehung square and true | Still catching and binding |
| Latches that actually work | Wire loops and string |
| Horses can't kick it open | Flimsy catch, unsafe |
What You're Getting
🔧 The Repair
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Work out what's failed and why |
| Remove/Strip | Take off failed hardware |
| Repair | Replace hinges, latches, bolts - upgrade if needed |
| Rehang | Get door square, swinging freely, closing properly |
| Test | Make sure top and bottom halves line up and latch |
📦 End Result
- Door swings freely
- Latches work properly
- Top and bottom halves align
- Safe and secure for horses
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple fix (one or two hinges) | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Full rehang with new hardware | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Major repair (multiple issues, door adjustment) | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Basic hinges/latches included - heavy duty stable hardware is extra.
Perfect For Your Stable If...
✅ Dropped door - won't close properly, catches at bottom
✅ Failed hinges - pulling out of the frame
✅ Broken latches - won't stay shut, horse pushes out
✅ Misaligned halves - top and bottom don't meet
Why Choose Us for Stable door repair in Exeter?
Hinges replaced or refixed
Latches and bolts working properly
Doors hang square and swing freely
Safe secure closure
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
I check what's wrong - is it the hinges, the frame, the door itself, or all three? Work out whether repair or replacement makes sense.
Step 2: Repair
Remove failed hardware, upgrade to proper stable fittings, rehang the door square. Sometimes need to plane edges or pack out hinges.
Step 3: Test
Open and close both halves multiple times. Make sure latches engage properly and door can't be pushed open by a determined horse.
🔧 DIY Tips
Stable door repairs are very DIY-friendly if you've got the tools:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdriver or impact driver
- Plane for door edges
- Chisel for hinge recesses
- Drill with wood bits
- Long screws (75mm+)
- Stable hinges and latches
📐 Fixing dropped doors
- Check which end has dropped (usually bottom on hinge side)
- Tighten all existing screws first
- If screws are stripped, drill deeper and use longer screws
- If frame timber is soft, pack behind hinge or move hinge position
- Check door swings freely after adjustment
🔨 Replacing hinges
- Use proper stable hinges (not household door hinges)
- Screws need to be 75mm+ into solid framing
- If old holes are stripped, move hinge up/down 50mm
- Pilot holes prevent splitting
- Fix top hinge first, check swing, then bottom
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using short screws (pull out under stress)
- Cheap hinges (fail fast with horses)
- Not checking door is square before fixing
- Forcing latches that don't align
- Screwing into cladding not framing
💡 Pro trick: When rehinging, hang the top half first and get it perfect. Then hang the bottom half to match the top - much easier than trying to get both perfect independently.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Hardware quality matters: Cheap hinges and latches fail fast. Proper stable hardware costs more but actually lasts.
Preventive maintenance: Check screws are tight every few months. Tighten before they loosen completely.
Rot watch: If timber around hinges is soft/rotten, repair won't hold. Might need timber repairs first.
Horse habits: Some horses are harder on doors than others. If yours kick or chew, budget for more frequent repairs.
Top/bottom spacing: 15-20mm gap between halves is ideal. Too tight and they bind, too loose and horse gets nose through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually goes wrong with stable doors?
Hinges fail (rust or screws pull out), top and bottom halves don't line up, latches stop working, timber rots, and the whole door can drop at one corner. Plus horses kick them and chew the edges.
Can you fix doors that have dropped?
Usually yes. Often it's the hinges pulling out or the frame sagging. I refix or upgrade the hinges, sometimes add packing to level things up. If the door's seriously twisted it might need replacing.
What about the top/bottom halves not meeting?
Classic stable door problem. Usually the bottom half has dropped or the top's twisted. I can adjust hinges, plane edges, or add packing to get them lining up properly again.
Do I need to replace all the hinges?
Depends. If one's failed, the others are probably not far behind - they're the same age and had the same abuse. Sometimes worth doing them all while I'm there. I'll advise honestly.
How long do repairs last?
With decent hinges and fixings, should be good for another 10+ years. Cheap hardware fails again within a year or two. Worth using proper stable hinges.
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