Owning or renting a home in London comes with an endless list of small repairs and maintenance tasks. A dripping tap, loose cabinet hinge, cracked sealant, or squeaky door might seem minor at first — but left unchecked, these issues quietly turn into costly repairs.
The good news? With a few smart handyman hacks and preventative habits, you can save both time and money while keeping your home in top shape.
At Fix in London, we’ve seen how simple maintenance decisions can prevent hundreds (sometimes thousands) of pounds in future repairs. Below, we’re sharing practical, professional-grade tips that homeowners and tenants can use right away.
Fix Small Problems Before They Get Expensive
This is the golden rule of home maintenance.
A £5 washer today can prevent a £300 plumbing repair tomorrow. Small cracks, leaks, or loose fittings rarely stay small — they spread.
Quick wins:
- Tighten loose screws on cabinets and doors monthly
- Reseal bathroom edges before mould forms
- Replace dripping tap washers immediately
- Patch tiny wall holes before repainting
Hack: Keep a small “home repair kit” with screwdrivers, sealant, tape, filler, and spare screws. This saves emergency shop trips.
Batch Your Repairs (Don’t Fix One Thing at a Time)
Many people call a handyman for one job, then call again a week later for another. That doubles your service costs and time.
Instead, create a running repair list.
Example:
- Fix door handle
- Regrout tiles
- Mount shelves
- Repair skirting board
Book everything together in one visit. Professionals like Fix in London can complete multiple small jobs in a few hours, which is far cheaper than separate appointments.
Hack: Do a monthly “home inspection walk” and write everything down.
Learn 3–4 Basic DIY Skills
You don’t need to become a contractor, but knowing a few basics saves serious money.
Skills worth learning:
- Replacing tap washers
- Filling wall holes
- Changing light fixtures
- Silicone sealing
These take under 10 minutes each once you know how.
But don’t risk complex jobs like:
❌ Electrical rewiring
❌ Gas appliances
❌ Major plumbing
❌ Structural work
These cost more to fix if done incorrectly.
Use Preventative Maintenance, Not Repairs
Prevention is cheaper than fixing damage.
Examples:
- Clean gutters yearly → prevents damp and roof leaks
- Reseal showers → prevents mould and water damage
- Oil door hinges → prevents replacements
- Check pipes in winter → prevents burst pipes
Hack: Set calendar reminders every 6 months for maintenance tasks.
Buy Quality Materials (Cheap Costs More Later)
Cheap tools and fittings break faster.
For example:
- Low-quality silicone yellows quickly
- Cheap screws rust
- Budget paint peels
- Thin shelves sag
Spending slightly more upfront saves replacements and labour costs later.
Rule: Buy once, buy right.
Know When to Call a Professional
Trying to DIY everything often backfires.
Common mistakes we see:
- Crooked shelf installations
- Poor tiling
- Leaky pipe fittings
- Damaged walls from incorrect drilling
Hiring a professional handyman is often faster and cheaper than redoing bad DIY work.
If you’re local, getting help from a trusted Handyman in Muswell Hill, a reliable handyman in barnet, or an experienced handyman camden town can save hours of frustration and guarantee proper results the first time.
Save Money with Multi-Skilled Handyman Services
Instead of hiring:
- a plumber
- an electrician
- a carpenter
A multi-skilled handyman can often handle all small-to-medium tasks in one visit.
That means:
✔ fewer call-out fees
✔ less waiting time
✔ one point of contact
✔ lower overall costs
This is exactly how Fix in London operates — efficient, bundled, and practical service for busy homeowners.
Keep Spare Parts at Home
Tiny components often cause big delays.
Keep extras like:
- washers
- screws
- wall plugs
- light bulbs
- sealant
- fuses
When something breaks, you fix it instantly instead of waiting days.
Time saved = money saved.
Protect High-Wear Areas
Certain parts of your home wear out faster:
- kitchen cabinets
- door handles
- bathroom sealants
- taps
- floors
Protect them early with:
- felt pads under furniture
- cabinet dampers
- waterproof sealants
- regular cleaning
Small protection = longer lifespan.
You can contact us through the following ways:
Work with a Trusted Local Handyman Brand
The biggest time saver is simply having a reliable team you can call without researching every time.
With Fix in London, homeowners get:
- quick response times
- transparent pricing
- multi-skill support
- professional workmanship
- long-lasting repairs
Instead of stressing over repairs, you get peace of mind knowing everything is handled properly.
Final Thoughts
Home maintenance doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming.
A mix of:
- preventative care
- small DIY skills
- smart batching
- professional help when needed
can easily save you hundreds each year.
Remember — every small fix today prevents a big bill tomorrow.
If you ever feel stuck or short on time, Fix in London is always ready to help you handle repairs quickly, safely, and affordably.
FAQs
- Is hiring a handyman cheaper than doing DIY?
For small tasks, DIY can save money. But for multiple or technical jobs, hiring a handyman is often cheaper and faster, especially when bundled into one visit.
- How often should I do home maintenance checks?
A quick inspection every month and a deeper check every 6 months is ideal to catch problems early.
- What jobs should I never attempt myself?
Electrical work, gas systems, structural repairs, and major plumbing should always be handled by professionals for safety reasons.
- How do I choose a reliable handyman in London?
Look for experience, good reviews, clear pricing, and a team that offers multiple services — like Fix in London — so you can handle everything in one appointment.
