Website by mikee, personal website

About Basingstoke Handyman

Back in the 1980’s when I left the RAF, it was a well known fact that service personnel were disciplined, reliable and trustworthy… it got you hired. How do you choose a tradesman if you don’t have one recommended? Why not let me prove these credentials and help you out? (I’m happy to get references too)

Over 40 years - I have been renovating and repairing homes in my spare time and have taught myself to do most things and do them to a high standard.

I have developed excellent skills in bathroom  and kitchen renovations, carpentry, plumbing, tiling, and much more. There’s not much I can’t do. The reason I’ve stopped doing major refurbishments is because they are very demanding. While I’m doing them I can’t take on Handyman jobs and lost lots of business last year. I will still take on small projects of 3 – 5 days duration.

Over time, in my own home, I have been encouraged to carry out projects to a very high standard and interpret the requirement with a minimalist approach (minimalism is a style that uses pared-down design elements) and now really enjoy completing projects to a higher standard, offering customers the same standards I would undertake in my own home.

I  pride myself on my professionalism and enjoy finishing the job fully – leaving the job in a clean and tidy, ready to use state.

Years of experience have taught me that the local suppliers provide good advice, and are often just as competitive as the national DIY chains (who have huge advertising budgets to support) AND the Internet. Wherever possible I will encourage you to buy from trusted suppliers who can offer great advise, local support and competitive prices. I will not take a commission from my suppliers and will try and help you get a good deal where I have an account. I’ll never forget that it is your hard earned money that pays me.

On some jobs I may appear to do things real quick (I hope). I have invested HEAVILY in good quality tools that allow me to accomplish jobs quickly and effectively.

Check a tradesman - I don’t do these type of reference sites. They can charge a whopping £800 a year for the privilege and this means every job has the tradesman cajole the customer to complete a questionnaire to get his ranking - having maybe started out getting his family and mates to recommend him. In the first 24 months I gained over 200 customers, so I must be doing something right.  I can get references if you require them.  

My preferred suppliers are;

I have purchased from Clive Blissett - a family run business - and his team, for many years. He will always offer great advise and help you buy quality products at competitive prices.  

Tip: Tradesman buy from plumbers merchants like Plumbers World!

The staff of  CTD (formally: Tile Depot ) are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and competitive with a great range of quality tiles, leading me to open an account and enjoy their support and short lead times. Not only are they competitive but they will credit unopened tile PACKS.   

Tip: They will willingly help you with a tiling project or advise how to prepare surfaces or install tiles if you don’t need my services

Small Builder: I can’t praise this small builder highly enough. For small extensions and building works. He’s booked out in advance so you’ll have to wait or book him. More You WILL  NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with Jason’s work. The only builder I’d use!!

Hardware Store: Though this is just a small hardware store in Buckland Avenue, Basingstoke, the owners are just so helpful and knowledgeable. The gentleman, Raj, will help you with your household problems and it’s an Aladdin’s cave of parts, homeware and tools. I frequently visit the shop to purchase parts to solve customer issues.  (8 Buckland Parade, Buckland Avenue, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6JN)

Tip: You have to visit this store and meet these great people before they sell up and retire

Hard Landscaper: These guys laid our block paving driveway but they also do patios and other hard landscaping. Run by Danny Watts, and his assistant Nev. The quality of workmanship was superb, attention to detail and the impressive groundworks that will last and last. I can’t recommend them high enough, but like JT Services - you’ll have to wait!!! …..wait and you’ll see what I mean.

Please tell suppliers you are visiting on behalf of Basingstoke Handyman’s recommendation if you agree with me to support our local suppliers.