Power cut preparation in Ottery St Mary
Looking for professional power cut preparation help in Ottery St Mary? Hembury Contracting provides reliable seasonal services across Ottery St Mary and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45 mins-1.5 hrs
Location
Ottery St Mary
Home prepared properly for winter power cuts. Emergency lighting positioned, backup heating organized, essential supplies gathered, and everyone knows the plan. Ready for storms without the stress.
### Devon Winters Mean Power Cuts
Living outside Ottery St Mary city centre means **winter storms that knock out power** for hours or occasionally days. Trees down, overhead lines damaged, Western Power working through the list while you sit in the dark wondering where the torch is.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** The time to prepare for power cuts is October/November before the storms hit, not during the first outage when shops are sold out of torches and you're googling "how to" on a dying phone.
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### Why Preparation Actually Matters
Here's the difference between "inconvenient evening by candlelight" and "genuinely stressful situation":
| ✅ Prepared | ❌ Winging It | |-------------|---------------| | LED lanterns positioned and working | Stumbling around looking for that torch | | Gas camping stove for hot drinks | No way to boil water or heat food | | Phone fully charged, power bank ready | Phone dies, can't check updates from power company | | Everyone knows where everything is | Family asking you while you don't know either |
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### What You Get
**💡 The Full Service**
| Stage | What Happens | |-------|--------------| | **Assess** | Check what you've got, identify gaps, advise on priorities | | **Organize** | Emergency lighting positioned, supplies assembled | | **Test** | Everything checked working, batteries replaced if needed | | **Brief** | Show family where everything is, what to do when power fails |
**📦 You're Left With** - Emergency kit ready to grab - Lighting positioned in key rooms - Backup heating options identified - Confidence you can manage an outage
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### Pricing Guide
| Preparation Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |------------------|----------------|------------| | Basic prep (organize existing supplies) | 45 mins | **£60** | | Full setup (lighting, heating, supplies) | 1 hr | **£60** | | Complete prep inc. backup solutions | 1.5 hrs | **£85** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Equipment/supplies cost separately if I'm sourcing them.*
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### Perfect For Your Home If...
✅ **Rural location** - overhead power lines that come down
✅ **All-electric** - no gas, so no heating or cooking without power
✅ **Elderly or vulnerable** - power cuts are more than inconvenient
✅ **Young children** - want them safe and not scared in the dark
Why Choose Us for Power cut preparation in Ottery St Mary?
Emergency lighting positioned and tested
Backup heating solutions organized
Essential supplies kit assembled
Family knows what to do when power fails
What to Expect
### Step 1: Assessment We'll go through what you've already got - torches, candles, camping equipment, gas appliances. I'll check they work (batteries dead, gas bottles empty is incredibly common), identify what you're missing, and prioritize what matters for your specific situation. ### Step 2: Organization & Positioning Set up LED lanterns in key locations (hallway, kitchen, lounge, by the fuse box), assemble a central emergency kit, organize backup heating if you've got gas camping stoves or similar, test everything works, replace batteries where needed. ### Step 3: Family Brief Show everyone where the emergency kit is, how to use the equipment safely, where the fuse box is (surprisingly often people don't know), what NOT to do (opening freezers, using generators indoors, etc.), and reassure them it's manageable.
Our Ottery St Mary Service Coverage
We cover Ottery St Mary and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Ottery St Mary or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> ⚡ **Got a generator?** I can help you set it up safely. They're brilliant but dangerous if used wrong - carbon monoxide in enclosed spaces kills. Outdoor only, transfer switch for house power, never backfeed the grid. I'll show you properly. **Medical equipment?** If you've got essential medical equipment that needs power (oxygen concentrator, powered bed, dialysis, etc.), contact Western Power to register. They'll prioritize your restoration and may provide backup batteries. This is VERY important. **Heat pumps?** If that's your only heating, power cuts mean no warmth. Camping stove keeps you in hot drinks but won't heat rooms. Consider a backup gas heater for harsh winters. I can advise on safe options. **Elderly or vulnerable?** Devon County Council has a priority services register for power cuts. They'll check on you, potentially provide hot food/temporary heating. Worth registering if power loss is dangerous for you. **When to call Western Power?** Only if your property is out but neighbors aren't (individual problem) or if lines are down (safety issue). For general outages, they know already - calling just adds to their queue. Check online/text for updates instead.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power cut preparation in Ottery St Mary
What does power cut preparation actually involve?
I'll set up LED lanterns and torches in key locations, organize portable heating if you've got gas/camping equipment, check your fuse box and main switch locations, assemble essentials (batteries, candles, matches, phone chargers), fill flasks if you've got them, and basically make sure you're sorted if the power goes out for 6-12 hours. Common in rural Devon during winter storms.
Why would I need this - don't power cuts only last an hour or two?
In Ottery St Mary city centre, maybe. Out in the villages or anywhere with overhead lines? Winter storms can mean 6-12 hours without power, occasionally longer. Trees come down, lines go, and Western Power's working through a long list. Better to be prepared than sitting in the dark wondering where the torch is.
Do I need to buy equipment first?
Have a look what you've got - most people have torches and candles somewhere. I'll help you find and organize what you have, and advise what's worth buying if you're missing key items. LED lanterns, power banks, camping stove - I'll prioritize what actually matters for your situation.
Is this just for elderly people?
No - anyone in rural areas, anyone with electric heating/cooking only, families with young kids, anyone who works from home and needs internet. Power cuts are inconvenient for everyone, but they're genuinely problematic if you're all-electric or vulnerable. This just means you're ready rather than panicking.
How long does preparation take?
About 45 minutes to an hour for most homes - finding existing equipment, testing it works, positioning things logically, assembling supplies, showing everyone where stuff is. Bit longer if we're identifying major gaps or you want backup heating solutions set up properly.
Get a Free Quote in Ottery St Mary
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your power cut preparation job in Ottery St Mary.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Ottery St Mary
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
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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