Drawer bottom repair in Exeter
Professional drawer bottom repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Sagging drawer bottom repaired or replaced. I'll reinforce weak bottoms or fit new material if needed - either way, your drawer will hold weight properly instead of everything falling through.
When Your Drawer Becomes Unusable
You open the drawer and everything's piled in the middle because the bottom's sagging. Or worse - the bottom's actually split and things are falling through into the drawer below.
Common problem with cheaper furniture, old furniture, or just drawers that have been overloaded for years.
💡 Don't replace the whole unit: Fixing a drawer bottom is much cheaper than buying new furniture, and often just as good.
What's Actually Wrong
| The Problem | What Causes It | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sagging | Thin material flexing under weight | Add support batten or replace with thicker board |
| Split | Material actually broken | Replace bottom panel completely |
| Pulled out of groove | Bottom slipped out of slot in drawer sides | Refit and secure properly |
| Warped | Moisture damage | Replace with moisture-resistant material |
The Repair Options
🔧 Reinforcement (if bottom's still sound)
- Add support batten across the middle
- Glue and screw to strengthen
- Drawer holds weight again without sagging
🔨 Replacement (if bottom's too far gone)
- Remove old bottom panel
- Cut new panel from thicker material
- Fit securely in grooves or screw/glue
- Much stronger than original
What You Get
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Remove drawer, check if reinforcement or replacement needed |
| Fix | Add support or fit new bottom panel |
| Test | Load drawer to check it holds weight properly |
📦 The Result
- Drawer that actually functions
- Bottom that doesn't sag
- Can load it properly without everything dumping in the middle
- Furniture back in use
Pricing Guide
| What's Needed | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple reinforcement (add support batten) | 30 mins | £60 |
| Bottom replacement (one drawer) | 45 mins | £60-£85 |
| Multiple drawers | 30-45 mins each | £60-£85 per drawer |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials extra if new bottom needed.
This Service Is Perfect If...
✅ Sagging drawer - bottom bowed, things pile in middle
✅ Split bottom - actually broken through
✅ Old furniture - good quality but drawer bottoms tired
✅ Cheaper furniture - thin bottoms that never held up well
Why Choose Us for Drawer bottom repair in Exeter?
Drawer holds weight without sagging
Reinforced or replaced bottom panel
Drawer slides properly again
No need to replace the whole furniture
What to Expect
Step 1: Remove & Assess
Take the drawer out (you'll need to empty it first). Check how bad the damage is. Work out if reinforcement will do or if it needs a new bottom.
Step 2: Repair Or Replace
If reinforcement works, I'll add a support batten to take the weight. If it needs replacing, I'll fit a new bottom panel - thicker than the original so it lasts.
Step 3: Refit & Test
Drawer goes back in, test it slides properly, load some weight in to check the bottom holds. Job done.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to fix it yourself? Here's the approach:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Saw (if cutting new bottom panel)
- Drill/driver
- Wood glue
- Screws or panel pins
- Batten or thin plywood/hardboard for replacement
📐 For reinforcement (quick fix)
- Remove drawer from furniture
- Turn upside down
- Cut a batten to fit across the width
- Glue and screw to underside of bottom panel
- Supports the middle, stops sagging
📐 For replacement (proper fix)
- Remove drawer
- Take out old bottom (might be in grooves or nailed/glued)
- Measure carefully - new panel needs to fit grooves or overlap edges
- Cut new panel from 4-6mm plywood (thicker than original)
- Slide into grooves or glue/pin to bottom edges
- Check drawer still fits back in unit (slightly thicker bottom might be tight)
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using material that's too thick (drawer won't fit back in)
- Not securing the reinforcement properly (comes loose again)
- Cutting new panel wrong size (measure twice, cut once)
- Overloading drawer immediately (let glue dry first)
💡 Pro trick: For drawer bottoms, use 6mm plywood instead of the thin hardboard most furniture comes with. Costs a bit more, lasts forever. Your drawer will hold way more weight than it was designed for.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Old furniture worth saving? If it's solid wood construction with dovetail joints, definitely worth repairing. Those drawer sides will outlast anything you can buy new - they just need a decent bottom panel.
Flat-pack furniture: Cheap modern stuff often has drawer bottoms that are basically thick cardboard. If you're repairing this, definitely replace rather than reinforce - the original material isn't worth saving.
Wardrobe drawers: These often sag because people overload them with heavy jumpers and jeans. When repairing, I'll use thicker material that'll actually cope with the weight you're putting in there.
Prevention: Don't overload drawers beyond what they're designed for. If you've got heavy stuff, bottom drawer of a solid unit is better than top drawer of cheap furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do drawer bottoms sag?
Usually because they're made of thin plywood or hardboard that flexes over time, especially if the drawer's been overloaded. Cheaper furniture uses really thin material that was never meant to take much weight. Eventually it just gives up.
Can you fix it or does it need replacing?
Depends on how bad it is. Sometimes I can reinforce it with a support batten underneath. If it's split or really sagged, better to replace the whole bottom with thicker material. I'll assess and recommend the best fix.
Do I need to empty the drawer first?
Yes - I'll need the drawer empty so I can take it out and work on it. Good time to have a clear out while you're at it!
How long does the repair take?
Usually 30-45 minutes per drawer. Take drawer out, assess the problem, either reinforce or replace the bottom, refit everything. Longer if the drawer's complicated or I'm doing multiple.
Will it look different after repair?
The bottom isn't visible when the drawer's in use, so aesthetics don't matter much. I'll use sturdy material that'll last - function over form. Your drawer will work properly again, that's what counts.
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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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