The "No Job Too Small" Specialist
"I just need someone to hang a picture."
I hear this every day. Big companies won't come out for small jobs. They want full room renovations, not a single mirror to hang or a squeaky hinge to oil.
That's exactly why I built my business around odd jobs. Those little tasks that frustrate you but you never quite get around to fixing yourself.
Common Odd Jobs I Handle
1. Picture & Mirror Hanging
My most common request. Seems simple, but there's technique to getting it right:
Standard Pictures
- Single picture - £45 (minimum covers this)
- Gallery wall (5-10 pictures) - £65-£95
- Large/heavy frame - £50-£70
- Includes finding wall studs if needed
- Spirit level positioning - perfectly straight
Mirrors
- Bathroom mirror - £50-£75
- Large wall mirror - £65-£95
- Heavy decorative mirror (15kg+) - £75-£110
- Special fixings for plasterboard walls
- Safety is paramount - mirrors that fall cause serious injury
Why Hire a Professional?
- Pictures hung too high or too low look wrong
- Gallery walls need planning (I'll lay them out on floor first)
- Heavy items need correct fixings (plasterboard vs solid wall)
- Finding hidden cables before drilling (I have detector)
- Getting it perfectly level first time
2. Curtain Poles & Blinds
Tricky to get level, especially on bay windows:
Curtain Poles
- Standard window - £55-£85
- Wide window (2m+) - £75-£110
- Bay window - £95-£150
- Includes brackets, leveling, testing
- Can supply poles or install yours
Blinds
- Roller blind - £50-£75
- Venetian blind - £55-£85
- Roman blind - £60-£90
- Vertical blind (large) - £75-£120
Curtain Rails (Track Systems)
- Standard rail - £65-£95
- Bay window track - £110-£180
- More complex than poles (multiple brackets)
3. Light Bulb Changes
Sounds ridiculous, but Victorian ceiling heights make this a real service:
- Standard ceiling bulbs - Often free if I'm doing other work
- High ceiling bulbs (3m+) - £45 minimum (need tall ladder)
- Awkward chandeliers - £50-£75 (careful handling required)
- Multiple rooms - £45 covers several bulbs
Exeter Victorian Property Note: Many Heavitree/St Leonards homes have 3-4 meter ceilings. Customers physically can't reach without scaffolding tower. I have proper ladders and know how to use them safely.
4. Smoke Alarm Installation & Testing
Essential for safety, legally required for rentals:
- Battery smoke alarm - £55-£75 (supply & fit)
- Mains-powered alarm - £85-£130 (simple wiring)
- Multiple alarms - Discount applies
- Testing existing alarms - Free with other jobs
- Landlord packages - Full house safety check from £120
5. Door & Cupboard Hardware
Door Hardware
- Replace door handles - £45-£65
- Install door viewer (peephole) - £50-£70
- Add door chain - £45-£60
- Letter box replacement - £60-£95
- Door stop installation - £45
Cupboard & Drawer Fixes
- Replace cupboard handles - £45 for 3-5 handles
- Fix soft-close hinges - £45-£65
- Realign cupboard doors - £45-£75
- Replace drawer runners - £60-£95 per drawer
6. Grab Rails & Safety Fixtures
Important for elderly relatives or mobility issues:
- Bathroom grab rail - £55-£85
- Toilet grab rail - £50-£75
- Stair handrail extension - £75-£130
- Must be securely fixed - finding solid fixing points essential
- Victorian solid walls perfect for grab rails (very strong)
- Modern plasterboard - need to find studs or use specialist fixings
7. Coat Hooks & Towel Rails
- Single coat hook - £45 (minimum covers several)
- Coat rail (4-6 hooks) - £50-£75
- Towel rail/ring - £45-£65
- Heated towel rail (electric) - £95-£150 (needs electrical connection)
8. Cat Flaps & Pet Doors
- Cat flap in door (wood) - £75-£120
- Cat flap in UPVC door - £120-£180 (trickier, must not crack)
- Cat flap in wall - £150-£250 (need to cut through brick/block)
- Dog door (larger) - £120-£200
9. Locks & Security
Note: Not a locksmith - for emergency lock-outs, call specialist. I handle straightforward lock changes.
- Replace door lock (mortice or cylinder) - £65-£110
- Add window locks - £45 per window
- Security chain/bolt - £45-£65
- Padlock & hasp (shed/gate) - £50-£75
10. Garden & Outdoor Jobs
Outdoor Fixtures
- Washing line posts - £85-£140
- Garden hooks (hanging baskets) - £45 for 2-3
- Outdoor shelving (shed/garage) - See Shelving Services
- Bird box/feeder mounting - £45
Minor Garden Repairs
- Replace broken fence panel - See Home Repairs
- Fix wobbly fence post - £65-£95
- Gate repairs - £70-£110
11. Miscellaneous Odd Jobs
If it's not listed above, I probably still do it:
- Assemble small items (garden chairs, trolleys, etc.) - £45+
- Mount bike rack/storage - £60-£95
- Install house numbers/nameplate - £45-£65
- Letter box draught excluder - £45
- Toilet roll holder - £45
- Soap dispenser mounting - £45
- Kitchen paper towel holder - £45
- Replace/add keyring hooks - £45
The £45 Minimum - What Does It Cover?
Your £45 Call-Out Includes:
Up to 45 minutes work - which covers:
- 1-3 pictures hung
- Single mirror mounted
- Several coat hooks installed
- Light bulbs changed (standard height)
- Door handle replaced
- Multiple small cupboard handles
- Toilet roll + towel rail
- ...and many other quick jobs
If work takes longer: Additional £45 per 45 minutes. I'll tell you upfront if job will exceed minimum.
Materials: Small fixings included (screws, wall plugs). Larger items (curtain poles, grab rails, locks) priced separately.
Multiple Jobs in One Visit
This is where great value happens. Most customers have a list of little jobs:
Example: Typical Job List
Real example from Heavitree customer last week:
- Hang 6 pictures (gallery wall in hallway)
- Install bathroom grab rail
- Replace 3 cupboard handles in kitchen
- Hang large mirror in bedroom
- Fix squeaky door hinge
- Change 2 high ceiling bulbs
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total cost: £135 (3 x £45 blocks)
Customer's comment: "Best £135 I've spent - I'd been putting these off for months!"
Exeter Property Expertise
Victorian & Edwardian Properties
Special considerations for period homes:
- Solid Brick Walls - Excellent for heavy items, need correct drill bits and fixings
- Lime Plaster - Softer than modern plaster, more care needed drilling
- Picture Rails - Traditional way to hang pictures (I have proper hooks)
- High Ceilings - Need proper ladders/tower for safe access
- Original Features - I work carefully around period details
Modern Estates
Different challenges in new builds:
- Plasterboard Walls - Need to find studs or use heavy-duty anchors
- Hollow Doors - Limited fixing points (I know where they are)
- Thin Walls - Careful drilling to not go through to next room
Student Properties
Landlords frequently need:
- Replace broken curtain poles between tenancies
- Fix damaged cupboard doors
- Rehang pictures/mirrors after wall damage repairs
- Install new smoke alarms (legal requirement)
Real Exeter Odd Job Stories
The St Leonards Picture Gallery
Elderly lady in St Leonards with 40+ years of family photos to hang. Two full walls worth. We laid them out on the floor together until she was happy with the arrangement. I measured, marked, and hung all 23 pictures over an afternoon. Perfect spacing, all level. She was in tears (happy ones) seeing her family history properly displayed. £180 total - she said it was priceless.
The Wonford Safety Rails
Customer's elderly mum moving in temporarily after hip surgery. Needed 3 grab rails installed quickly (bathroom, toilet, stairs). Done same day. Proper fixings into solid walls - those rails won't budge. Customer's mum could move around house safely. Sometimes the small jobs are the most important ones.
The Pennsylvania Landlord's List
Letting agent sent me to student house between tenancies with a list of 15 small jobs. Broken cupboard handles, curtain pole fallen down, pictures to remove (fill holes), coat hooks loose, door stop needed, etc. Worked through the list systematically - 4 hours total. House ready for new tenants. Landlord now calls me for all his properties - regular work for me, reliable handyman for him.
Why Customers Choose Me for Odd Jobs
I Actually Turn Up
Big companies ignore small jobs. Other handymen say yes then don't show. I built my reputation on reliability.
Fair, Transparent Pricing
£45 minimum - you know the cost before I arrive. No hidden fees, no surprise bills.
Done Right First Time
Spirit level, stud finder, proper fixings. Your pictures won't be wonky, mirrors won't fall off.
Tidy & Respectful
Wipe down drill dust, vacuum debris, leave no mess. Treat your home with respect.
18+ Years Local Experience
I know Exeter properties. Victorian solid walls, modern plasterboard - I've worked on thousands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a job too small?
Not if you're willing to pay the £45 minimum. I've been called out to change a single light bulb (high ceiling, customer couldn't reach). £45 for 10 minutes work. Customer was happy - worth it for them to not risk falling off ladder.
Can I make a list of jobs for you to work through?
Please do! This is the best way to use my services. Most customers have 5-10 little jobs they've been putting off. I'll work through them systematically. Much better value than single jobs.
Do you bring all necessary tools/equipment?
Yes. Fully equipped van with everything needed for odd jobs: drills, spirit level, stud finder, ladder, all common fixings, screws, wall plugs. If job needs specialist equipment (scaffolding tower for very high work), I'll mention this when you book.
How do you charge if job goes over 45 minutes?
£45 per 45-minute block. So 1 hour = £90, 1.5 hours = £90, 2 hours = £135, etc. I'll estimate timeframe when you describe jobs - no surprises.
What if I need materials (curtain pole, grab rail, etc.)?
Two options: (1) Buy them yourself (I'll specify exactly what you need), or (2) I can supply them (added to final bill at cost + 15% handling). Many customers prefer option 2 - saves them a trip to B&Q.
Can you do odd jobs same-day?
Sometimes, if I'm in your area and have a gap. Call and ask - if I can fit you in same day, no extra charge (unlike emergency callouts). Usually book 2-3 days ahead for planned work.
Do I need to be home the whole time?
Just at start (show me what needs doing) and end (check you're happy). For trustworthy customers/landlords, I often work alone with a key. DBS checked, fully insured, references available.
What odd jobs CAN'T you do?
Gas work (need Gas Safe engineer), major electrical (need Part P electrician), emergency lockouts (need locksmith). Anything requiring specialist certification or equipment beyond handyman scope. But this is rare - I handle 95% of odd jobs people need.
How to Book
Make Your List
Write down all those little jobs you've been meaning to do. The more jobs, the better the value.
Call or Text
07766 501664 - Read me your list. I'll estimate time and cost immediately.
I'll Come and Fix Everything
Usually within 2-3 days. Work through your list systematically. Tick them off. Job done.
Related Services
If your odd job is actually a bigger project, see:
- Home Repairs - Doors, plumbing, damp, fences
- Furniture Assembly - Flat-pack building
- TV Mounting - Wall mounting TVs and soundbars
- Shelving & Storage - Floating shelves, alcove units
- Painting - Room decoration