A shelf waiting to go up. A door that catches every time you close it. Flat-pack boxes that have become part of the furniture. Those little jobs soon add up. If you’re ready to hand the list over to Aussie, a few useful details will help us work out what’s involved and put together a quote that fits the job.
You don’t need to know the name of every fitting or diagnose what’s gone wrong. Tell us what you’d like sorted, show us the space and flag anything you’re unsure about. Here’s how to give your handyman enquiry a head start.
Get the whole “while you’re here” list together
Walk through your home and make one list, room by room. Include the small jobs as well as the obvious one: the loose handle, the curtain pole still in its packaging and the cupboard door that won’t sit straight.
Knowing about everything upfront helps us assess the time, materials and skills required. Adding several jobs when someone arrives can change the booking, particularly if different parts or another trade are needed. Put the must-do items at the top and mark anything you’re happy to leave for another visit.
Be specific about the result you want. “Hang two shelves above the desk” tells us more than “sort out the study”. For a repair, describe what happens: does the door rub along the floor, stick at the top or refuse to latch?
A few good photos beat a guessing game
Start with a wide photograph showing the item and the space around it, then add a close-up of the problem. A tight picture of a hinge is useful, but seeing the whole door helps put it in context.
- Hanging shelves, mirrors or a TV: show the wall, the item and its brackets. Include dimensions and weight if you have them. Say what the wall is made of if you know; if you don’t, simply tell us.
- Furniture assembly: send the product link or model, assembly instructions and number of items. Mention whether an old piece needs dismantling first.
- Small repairs: photograph the affected area and explain when you noticed the problem or whether it has changed.
- Paintwork touch-ups: show the whole area and close-ups of damage. Let us know whether you have the original paint and what finish you’re hoping for.
There’s no need to pull fittings apart to investigate. Send what you can see safely and let the team tell you what else would help.
Who’s bringing the bits and pieces?
If you’ve already bought the shelf, handle or furniture, include its details in the enquiry. Check that the delivery will arrive before the appointment and tell us where the boxes will be. A wardrobe in the hallway and its destination three floors up is useful information.
Ask who will supply any additional materials and how those costs will be handled. Don’t assume the fixings in a product box will suit your wall, or buy replacement parts simply because they look similar. Send the details first so suitability can be checked.
Give us the London access details
The postcode is the starting point. We also need to know the floor, whether there’s a lift, where the work will happen and how tools and materials can reach it.
Mention parking restrictions, loading arrangements, concierge sign-in and any building rules about working hours. If you’re arranging work for a tenant or relative, explain who will let the team in and who can answer questions or agree changes.
For rented or managed properties, check any permissions needed before booking the work. Having the right person’s agreement in place avoids an awkward pause halfway through the job.
What makes a quote change?
Two jobs that sound alike can involve different amounts of work. Putting up a lightweight picture is a different proposition from mounting a heavy mirror. Assembling a new cabinet is different from dismantling an old one, moving it and finding that some fittings are missing.
Photos help, but they can’t reveal everything behind a wall or beneath a damaged surface. Ask whether the information you’ve supplied is enough for a quote or whether an assessment is needed. If something unexpected turns up, agree the revised work and cost before it goes ahead.
Some tasks need a specialist. Tell us about electrical, plumbing or heating work at the start so it can be assessed appropriately. Our guide to handyman jobs is a useful place to start.
Here’s an enquiry you can borrow
Adapt this example to your own list:
“Hello Aussie, I’d like two shelves fitted, a chest of drawers assembled and an internal door checked because it catches against the frame.
I’m in a second-floor flat in Clapham with a lift. I’ve attached photos of the wall and door, plus the shelf and furniture links. The furniture is already in the room where it needs assembling. I’m not sure what the wall is made of.
Contractors need to sign in with the concierge, and street parking is restricted. My preferred dates are [dates]. Please let me know what else you need and whether materials are included.”
Before you give the go-ahead
Check that the quote covers your agreed list, the charging basis, materials and VAT. Ask about any minimum booking, parking costs, waste removal and how extra work would be charged. If you’re comparing quotes, make sure each one covers the same tasks.
Then clear space around the work area, keep products and instructions handy and let us know if anything changes. A little preparation helps get the visit off to a good start.
Ready to get that list moving? Send your jobs and photos to Aussie Property Services. Bring us the fiddly bits and the unfinished jobs, and we’ll help you work out the next step.