Grandfather clock setup in Exeter
Professional grandfather clock setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Grandfather clock set up properly - levelled for accurate timekeeping, pendulum adjusted, weights hung correctly. I'll get it running and keeping good time.
When Heirloom Clocks Won't Tick
Inherited a grandfather clock that's been standing silent for years? Moved house and it stopped working? These beautiful old clocks are fussy - they need everything just right or they won't keep time.
💡 Pro tip: Grandfather clocks hate being moved. Even moving them across the room can throw them out of level enough to stop them working. They need resetting after any move.
Quick Setup vs. Proper Levelling
Just hanging the weights and hoping isn't enough:
| ✅ Proper Setup | ❌ DIY Guesswork |
|---|---|
| Levelled precisely with spirit level | "Looks straight enough" |
| Pendulum length adjusted for accuracy | Just hangs where it is |
| Weights positioned correctly | Hung on any old chain |
| Chime timing set properly | Chimes at random times |
An hour to set it up right vs. weeks of it being an expensive ornament.
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Level | Get the clock case perfectly vertical |
| Set Pendulum | Hang and adjust pendulum for proper swing |
| Hang Weights | Position weights correctly on their chains |
| Test & Adjust | Run it for a bit, adjust timing and chimes |
📦 You're Left With
- Clock running smoothly
- Accurate timekeeping
- Proper pendulum swing
- Chimes at the right time
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic setup & levelling | 45-60 mins | £60 |
| Setup + timing adjustment | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-85 |
| Setup after house move | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-85 |
£60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. If mechanism is broken, I'll recommend a clock specialist.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Just moved house - clock worked before, doesn't now
✅ Inherited a clock - never been set up properly
✅ Stopped working - used to tick, now silent
✅ Losing time - running fast or slow
Why Choose Us for Grandfather clock setup in Exeter?
Clock levelled precisely for accurate timekeeping
Pendulum set to correct swing
Weights positioned properly
Chime timing adjusted
What to Expect
Step 1: Check & Level
Make sure all parts are there (pendulum, weights, key). Level the clock case perfectly - this is crucial for proper operation.
Step 2: Set Up Mechanism
Hang the pendulum and weights correctly. Start the pendulum swinging and make sure it's consistent.
Step 3: Test & Adjust
Let it run for a bit to check timekeeping. Adjust pendulum length if it's running fast or slow. Set chimes to correct time.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to try setting it up yourself:
🔧 What you'll need
- Spirit level (long one ideally)
- Wooden shims or adjustment feet
- Patience
- The instruction manual if you have it
📐 How to set up a grandfather clock
- Position clock against a solid wall
- Use spirit level to check it's vertical front-to-back
- Check it's also vertical side-to-side
- Adjust feet or add shims until perfectly level
- Open the case and hang the weights (heaviest on right usually)
- Hang the pendulum on its hook
- Give it a gentle push to start swinging
- Check swing is even (not hitting sides)
- Let it run for 24 hours to check timekeeping
- If fast, lower the pendulum slightly. If slow, raise it.
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not levelling it properly (most common problem)
- Hanging weights on wrong chains
- Pushing pendulum too hard (gentle start is best)
- Expecting it to keep perfect time immediately (takes adjustment)
- Not checking floor is stable (bouncy floors affect pendulum)
💡 Pro trick: If the clock gains time (runs fast), lower the pendulum bob by turning the adjustment nut at the bottom. If it loses time (runs slow), raise it. Small adjustments - a quarter turn at a time.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⏰ Accuracy: Even a well-set-up grandfather clock might gain or lose a minute or two per week. They're mechanical, not quartz. If it's within 5 minutes a week, that's actually pretty good for an old clock.
Chimes out of sync? There's usually a way to adjust the chime timing without affecting the clock hands. Varies by make - I'll show you how if yours allows it.
Exeter's old houses have characterful wonky floors. Grandfather clocks don't love wonky floors. Sometimes shimming the feet or finding a more stable spot is needed. Stone floors are better than bouncy wooden ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my grandfather clock keep time?
Usually it's because the clock isn't perfectly level. Grandfather clocks need to be spot-on vertical or the pendulum doesn't swing evenly. Even a few millimeters off and it'll gain or lose time. I'll level it properly and adjust the pendulum speed.
Do I need to provide anything?
Just make sure you've got the pendulum, weights, and key. If it's been moved and dismantled, having all the original parts helps. I can't make missing parts but can advise where to get them.
Can you fix grandfather clocks that don't work?
Basic setup, levelling, and adjustment yes. If the actual mechanism is broken - worn gears, broken springs - that needs a clock specialist. I'll be honest about what's needed when I see it.
How do you level a grandfather clock?
Spirit level on the case to check it's vertical in both directions, then adjust the feet or shim underneath until it's perfect. Then adjust pendulum length to fine-tune the timekeeping.
Will the chimes be right?
I'll set them so they chime at the right time. If the chime mechanism itself is broken (missing notes, not chiming at all), that's internal mechanism work beyond basic setup.
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