Hinge bolt fitting in Exeter
Professional hinge bolt fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Hinge bolts fitted to external doors for extra security. Stops doors being lifted off hinges even if someone gets at the hinge pins.
When Doors Are More Vulnerable Than You Think
Got a door with external hinges? Or worried about door security? Hinge bolts are one of the cheapest security upgrades that actually makes a real difference.
💡 Pro tip: Insurance companies often require hinge bolts on doors with external hinges. Check your policy - you might need them to be fully covered.
DIY Fitting vs. Professional Installation
Drilling holes in the wrong place ruins your door:
| ✅ Professional Fitting | ❌ DIY Mistakes |
|---|---|
| Holes aligned perfectly | Bolts don't engage properly |
| Fitted flush with door edge | Catch on frame when closing |
| Right depth for full engagement | Too shallow or too deep |
| Neat finish, painted if needed | Obvious botched job |
Half an hour to do it right vs. a damaged door that needs replacing.
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Mark up | Measure and mark bolt positions |
| Drill | Holes drilled in door edge and frame |
| Fit | Bolts installed and tested |
| Test | Check door closes properly, bolts engage |
📦 You're Left With
- Secure door that can't be lifted off
- Insurance-approved security
- Neat professional finish
- Peace of mind
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single door (2 bolts) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Single door (3 bolts) | 30-40 mins | £60 |
| Multiple doors | 40+ mins | £60-110 |
£60 minimum (first hour). Hinge bolts cost a few pounds each - I'll supply them.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ External hinges - vulnerable to hinge pin removal
✅ Insurance requirement - insurer wants them fitted
✅ Security upgrade - boosting overall door security
✅ Recent break-in - improving security after an incident
Why Choose Us for Hinge bolt fitting in Exeter?
Stops door being lifted off hinges
Insurance-approved security upgrade
Fitted flush so door closes properly
Works with all external doors
What to Expect
Step 1: Positioning
Mark where the bolts will go - usually one near the top and one near the bottom of the door, on the hinge side.
Step 2: Drilling
Drill holes in the door edge for the bolts, then matching holes in the doorframe for them to engage into.
Step 3: Fitting & Testing
Install the bolts, test the door closes properly and the bolts engage fully when the door is shut.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're confident with a drill, you can fit these yourself:
🔧 What you'll need
- Hinge bolts (2-3 per door)
- Power drill
- Drill bits (size depends on bolt size)
- Pencil and tape measure
- Chisel (might need to recess bolt housings)
📐 How to fit hinge bolts
- Close and lock the door
- Mark positions on door edge - one at 200mm from top, one at 200mm from bottom
- Drill hole in door edge for bolt housing (check bolt instructions for size)
- Insert bolt into door, mark where it touches the frame
- Drill matching hole in frame for bolt to engage
- Test door closes and bolts engage properly
- If bolt catches, deepen frame hole slightly
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Holes not aligned (bolt doesn't engage)
- Bolt housing not flush (door won't close)
- Frame hole too shallow (bolt doesn't engage fully)
- Wrong size drill bit (bolt loose or won't fit)
- Damaging door by drilling at angle
💡 Pro trick: Use masking tape on your drill bit at the correct depth. Stops you drilling too deep and coming out the other side of the door.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔒 Security standards: Hinge bolts meet BS 3621 when used with a suitable lock. That's the standard most insurance companies require for external doors.
Painted doors: If your door is painted, I'll touch up the drill holes so they're not obvious. Worth keeping a little tin of matching paint handy.
Exeter's older doors (especially original Victorian or Edwardian) can have hardwood frames that are tough to drill. Takes longer but definitely doable. Solid security on solid doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do hinge bolts actually do?
They stop someone removing your door by lifting it off the hinges. Even if the hinge pins are exposed on the outside (which they shouldn't be but often are), the bolts engage into the frame and prevent the door being lifted out.
Do I need hinge bolts if my hinges are on the inside?
Not essential but recommended. Internal hinges mean the pins can't be knocked out from outside, but hinge bolts add an extra layer of security and most insurance companies like them fitted.
How many do I need per door?
Two minimum - one near the top, one near the bottom. On taller doors or if you want maximum security, three bolts (top, middle, bottom) is even better.
Will they damage my door?
I need to drill holes for the bolts - one in the door edge, matching hole in the frame. It's permanent, but it's also proper security. Can't really be done any other way.
Do they work with all locks?
Yes - hinge bolts are independent of your main lock. They work alongside it for extra security. Fitted on the hinge side while your lock is on the opening side.
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