Roof bar fitting in Exeter
Professional roof bar fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-85
Typical Duration
45-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Roof bars fitted securely to your car. Proper torque settings, positioned correctly, ready for roof boxes or bike carriers.
Get Your Roof Bars Fitted Right First Time
Bought roof bars for holidays or bike trips? Fitting them properly matters - too loose and they'll whistle or shift, too tight and you'll crack the fittings. Get them positioned and torqued correctly.
💡 Pro tip: Remove roof bars when not using them. They add wind noise, kill fuel economy, and most car washes won't touch your car with bars fitted. Keep the fittings though - you'll want them next time.
Why Proper Fitting Matters
Dodgy roof bar fitting causes problems:
| ✅ Fitted Right | ❌ Bodge Job |
|---|---|
| Correct torque, won't shift | Too loose, moves when loaded |
| Positioned evenly, no whistling | Wonky, makes noise at speed |
| Fittings aligned properly | Crossthreaded or forced |
| Roof mounting points undamaged | Cracked or stripped fixings |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Check fitment | Verify bars are right for your car |
| Position bars | Set spacing and alignment correctly |
| Secure properly | Torque to manufacturer spec |
📦 You're Left With
- Securely fitted roof bars
- Ready for roof box/bikes/boards
- No damage to vehicle
- Instructions for removal if needed
Pricing Guide
| Complexity | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple clamp system | 45 mins | £60 |
| Complex rail system | 1 hr | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Price depends on your specific fitting system.
Perfect For Your Car If...
✅ Holiday luggage - need extra storage space
✅ Bike carrier - transport bikes safely
✅ Surf/ski boards - specialist sport equipment
✅ Not sure how to fit - complex instructions, want it right
Why Choose Us for Roof bar fitting in Exeter?
Securely fitted to your car
Correct torque on fixings
Ready for roof box or bikes
No vehicle damage
What to Expect
Step 1: Check the System
I'll verify the bars are compatible with your car and you've got all the parts needed for your specific fitting points.
Step 2: Position Correctly
Bars go on at right spacing (usually as far apart as possible), aligned square to the car, sitting flush on mounting points.
Step 3: Secure & Torque
Fixings tightened to correct tension - hand-tight first, then proper torque setting. Check they don't shift when pushed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fitting your own roof bars? Here's how to do it safely:
🔧 What you'll need
- Your roof bars (specific to your car)
- Allen keys or tools supplied with bars
- Torque wrench (if specified)
- Soft cloth (protect roof paint)
- Vehicle handbook
📐 Fitting procedure
- Check you've got right bars for your car model
- Identify roof mounting points (consult handbook)
- Position bars as far apart as mounting allows
- Align bars square to car (measure both sides)
- Hand-tighten all fixings first
- Torque to spec (if given) or firm-tight
- Check bars don't shift when pushed hard
📐 Common mounting types Raised rails: Bars clamp onto existing roof rails Flush rails: Special fittings slide into rail channels Bare roof: Fixings use door frame or special mounting points Gutter mount: Older style, clamps into rain gutters
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Bars too close together (reduces load capacity)
- Not aligned square (causes whistle and wind resistance)
- Overtightening (cracks plastic fittings)
- Wrong bars for car model (won't fit properly)
- Forgetting rubber pads (scratches roof paint)
💡 Pro trick: Once fitted, test them before loading anything heavy. Drive around the block - if they whistle or vibrate, they're not quite right. Better to adjust them empty than have them shift with £500 of bikes on top.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Weight limits: Check your car's maximum roof load (in handbook) - usually 50-75kg including bars. Don't just pile stuff on assuming it's fine. Roof boxes and bikes add up quickly.
Fuel economy impact: Roof bars add significant drag. Even empty they'll cost you 5-10% fuel economy on motorways. With a loaded roof box, expect 15-20% worse mpg. Remove when not needed.
Car washes: Most automatic car washes won't take cars with roof bars fitted. Remove them first or hand wash only. Definitely remove boxes and bike carriers - they'll get ripped off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between roof bars and roof rails?
Roof rails run front-to-back along your roofline (often fitted at factory). Roof bars (crossbars) go side-to-side and attach to the rails or directly to the roof. You need the bars to carry stuff - that's what boxes and bike racks mount onto.
Will roof bars fit my car?
Most cars can have roof bars fitted, but you need the right system for your specific model. Some need roof rails first, some attach directly to the roof. Check your car's roof fixing points - I can advise what system you need.
Do I need to buy the bars first?
Yes - roof bars are vehicle-specific. Check your car manual or use manufacturer fitment guides to get the right ones. Brands like Thule, Halfords, and Exodus make systems for most cars. Once you've got them, I'll fit them properly.
How tight should roof bars be?
Tight enough they don't move or whistle, but not so tight you crack the fittings or damage the roof. Manufacturers specify torque settings - I'll use the right tension for your system.
Can I leave bars on permanently?
You can, but they'll increase fuel consumption (wind resistance) and make noise on motorways. Most people take them off when not needed - it's usually just 4 bolts or clamps. I'll show you how to remove and refit them yourself.
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