Frequently Asked Questions

The first hour is the minimum charge for any visit. It is £55 and includes travel within five miles of Cirencester town centre. After the first hour, the rate drops to £35 per hour, charged in 30-minute blocks. So a 90-minute visit is £55 + £17.50 = £72.50.

After the first hour, every additional half hour is charged at £17.50, which works out at £35 per hour. Martin will round honestly. If a job runs five minutes over, you will not be charged for an extra half hour.

No. The £55 first hour is the call-out. There is no separate fee. The price you see is the price you pay.

Yes. That is the whole idea. Make a list. Martin will work through it. Most visits include a mix of small repairs, errands, and a chat. The half-day at £125 or full-day at £230 is the right call when the list is long.

No gas work, no rewiring, no consumer unit changes, and no notifiable electrical jobs. Martin will swap a like-for-like light fitting and change difficult bulbs, but anything that needs Part P certification or a Gas Safe registration goes to a qualified specialist. He can recommend one.

Cirencester town centre and everything within five miles is included in the first hour. Beyond five miles, mileage is 45p per mile. He regularly visits South Cerney, Siddington, Kemble, Ampney Crucis, Fairford, Lechlade, Tetbury, Northleach, Bibury, Chedworth and Ashton Keynes.

Yes. Enhanced DBS check and £2 million public liability insurance. Both certificates are happy to be shown at the door. Several adult children have asked, which is exactly the right thing to do.

Yes. Many of Martin's bookings work this way. Adult children call from elsewhere in the country, arrange the visit for their parent, and pay by bank transfer afterwards. Martin will write a short note of what was done after each visit so you know what happened.

Yes. Grab rails are fitted with the right anchors for the wall (timber, stud, plasterboard, brick, tile) and load-tested before Martin leaves. Keysafes are mounted in a sensible spot and the code is handed to whoever needs it.

Yes. Pharmacy collection is one of the most common errands. Grocery shopping (a top-up or a full weekly shop) is also fine. You provide a list, payment method, and any preferences, and Martin brings everything to the kitchen.

Most weeks Martin can offer a slot within 2 to 5 working days. Same day visits are sometimes possible if the diary allows, with a 30 percent premium. Urgent or emergency repairs (a leak, a stuck door, a broken lock) are usually fitted in within 24 hours.

Bank transfer for most visits. Cash for jobs under £100. Card on a SumUp reader if you prefer. Monthly care packages run on a standing order. An invoice is sent after every visit by email or printed on the day.

He will tell you straight away and only charge for the time spent assessing. He will recommend someone local who is the right person for the job. He would rather lose the work than do it badly.

Standard hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 15:30. Weekend visits are by arrangement and carry a 25 percent premium. Most weekends are family time.

Martin arrives at the agreed time, walks through your list with you, agrees an order, and gets started. Most visits last between one and three hours. Many include one or two errands as well as practical jobs. Most end with a quick cup of tea and a written note of what was done.