Stile repair in Exeter
Professional stile 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
Damaged or unsafe stiles repaired on public footpaths. Solid, safe crossing points that keep walkers happy and livestock contained.
Keep Your Rights of Way Accessible
A broken stile is a liability waiting to happen. Someone twists an ankle on wobbly steps and suddenly it's your problem - much better to keep it maintained properly.
💡 Pro tip: Check your stiles every autumn. Winter weather is brutal on timber, and you want to fix problems before they get worse.
What Makes a Safe Stile?
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Solid posts, no wobble | Rotten posts moving in the ground |
| Steps at a comfortable height | Steps too high for older walkers |
| No protruding nails or splinters | Rusty fixings snagging clothing |
| Level with good footing | Muddy hollow, awkward approach |
What You Get
🔧 Solid Repair Work
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check what needs replacing vs what can be saved |
| Repair | Replace rotten timber, reinforce posts, secure steps |
| Test | Make sure it's solid and safe to use |
📦 You're Left With
- Safe crossing point
- Walkers using the proper route
- Livestock staying put
Pricing Guide
| Work Required | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repair (steps/rails) | 1 hr | £60 |
| Post replacement + rebuild | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Complete rebuild | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials additional.
Perfect For Your Rural Property If...
✅ Wobbly steps - timber loose or rotten
✅ Leaning posts - whole structure unstable
✅ Liability concern - before someone gets hurt
✅ Council notice - path warden flagged it up
Why Choose Us for Stile repair in Exeter?
Safe crossing for walkers
Livestock stays contained
Meets footpath obligations
Proper timber and fixings used
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess the Damage
I'll check what's actually sound and what needs replacing. No point swapping timber that's still good for another decade.
Step 2: Repair or Replace
Rotten posts come out, new ones go in properly. Steps secured solidly, rails checked and reinforced. All done with treated timber and galvanised fixings.
Step 3: Test & Finish
Give it a good shake, walk over it myself, make sure it's safe. Should feel absolutely solid.
🔧 DIY Tips
Got a few stiles to maintain? Here's how to do it properly:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Post hole digger or spade
- Spirit level
- Saw and drill
- Coach bolts or screws (galvanised)
- Treated timber
- Concrete (for posts)
📏 Standard stile dimensions
- Step height: 30-40cm from ground
- Step depth: 20cm minimum
- Post depth: 60cm minimum in the ground
- Overall height: Enough to discourage livestock jumping (1.2m+)
🪚 Building it solid
- Dig post holes deep - 60cm minimum
- Use concrete around posts in wet ground
- Coach bolts through main joints, screws for steps
- Check it's level before the concrete sets
- Leave concrete 24hrs before full loading
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not digging posts deep enough
- Using untreated timber
- Fixing with nails instead of bolts
- Not considering stock pressure on the structure
💡 Pro trick: Fit a dog gate alongside if the path gets a lot of use. Saves the stile from constant wear and walkers appreciate it. Just make sure it's stock-proof.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚶 Popular path? If you get a lot of walkers, consider switching to a kissing gate instead of a stile. Easier for everyone, especially people with mobility issues, and lasts longer.
Multiple stiles? Get them all checked in one visit. They usually fail around the same rate, so if one's rotten the others aren't far behind.
Council help? Some Devon parishes provide materials for stile maintenance on well-used public paths. Worth asking before you buy timber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I repair a broken stile on my land?
If there's a public right of way crossing your property, you've got a legal obligation to keep stiles safe and usable. Plus, a wobbly stile means walkers might just push through your fence instead.
Can you match my existing stile design?
Usually yes - most around here are standard step stiles or ladder stiles. If you've got something custom, I can either match it or suggest a sturdy replacement that does the same job.
What if the stile is completely rotten?
I can rebuild it properly with pressure-treated timber and galvanised fixings. Better than patching up rotten wood that'll fail again next winter.
Who's responsible for repairing stiles?
Generally the landowner, though the council sometimes helps with materials if it's a well-used public path. Worth checking with them if the path gets a lot of traffic.
How long will the repair last?
Using proper treated timber and galvanised fixings, you're looking at 10-15 years minimum. The posts are the first thing to rot at ground level - I make sure those are well-treated or use concrete spurs.
Stile repair Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your stile repair job in Exeter.
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!
Why Trust Us
Need Stile repair in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your stile repair job in Exeter today.