Door Handles: Joiner or Locksmith?

threesixnine

As at this moment there are five door handles in our 20-year-old house that don't work properly. I've had a couple fixed in the past by a joiner, but they've gone bad again (we have several heavy-handed offspring in the house).

What's my best way forward - call a locksmith or another joiner? Who'd be cheaper and who'd do a better job?

armchaireconomist

Joiner... Cheaper & usually better

Cornucopia

Unless these are particularly ornate or unusual door handles, or there is a fundamental issue of misalignment with the frame, then it's a pretty easy DIY job to change them. 4 small screws (usually) on each side and they slide off. You can get new ones from any of the DIY sheds. If the house is only 20 years old, it's quite likely that you will be able to get identical replacements with a bit of effort.

LandyAndy

Definitely a DiY job.

maisie_cat

Replacing mortised door handles like for like will take less time to do yourself than calling a joiner and arranging a quote.

EmmyLou30

Easy diy job. Unscrew old ones, screw on new ones. Done. And like someone else said, if they're your bog standard developer ones used in millions of homes then many are still available to buy. I could have matched my 27 years old ones easy if I'd wanted to when they broke or something incredibly similar. If it's the latch that's broken that might be a bit of a bigger job but still only a little bit of chiselling and drilling if the new one is bigger.

phill99

People on here often say "oh it's a DIY job".


Not everyone has DIY skills. Some people don't know one end of a hammer to another. So to say it's a DIY job is only apparent of you have a skill set.


So please stop saying its a DIY job, when some people don't do DIY at all.


OP it would be best suited to a carpenter / joiner, but in reality you may struggle to get one to come out for such a job. You might want to try a decent handyman.

Jackmydad

I'm just in the process of changing mine.
Screwfix have an offer on of a latchpack for £1.99 (if needed) when you buy Smith and Locke handles from them.
https://www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/door-handles/cat6760002
It's an easy job, Make sure you get the same plate length as those fitted.

threesixnine

Thanks everyone for your replies (especially phill99) but my question was joiner or locksmith. If my last joiner's work has come undone so easily, I have no confidence that I can do a better job than him.

I'll call a joiner or handyman.

George_Michael

phill99 wrote: »

People on here often say "oh it's a DIY job".


Not everyone has DIY skills. Some people don't know one end of a hammer to another. So to say it's a DIY job is only apparent of you have a skill set.

So please stop saying its a DIY job, when some people don't do DIY at all.

But I doubt if there are many people who don't know how to use a screwdriver.
If it's simply a case of removing a couple of handles (normally 4 screws each) and fitting a replacement then I would echo what most other posters have been saying.
Try one handle yourself and if for any reason you can't do it, that would be the time to call someone in to do the job.

threesixnine wrote: »

If my last joiner's work has come undone so easily, I have no confidence that I can do a better job than him.

I'll call a joiner or handyman.

But then again, there's no guarantee that the next person you get in to do the job won't be as bad as your previous joiner.

ceredigion

Jackmydad wrote: »

I'm just in the process of changing mine.
Screwfix have an offer on of a for £1.99 (if needed) when you buy Smith and Locke handles from them.
https://www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/door-handles/cat6760002
It's an easy job, Make sure you get the same plate length as those fitted.

threesixnine wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your replies (especially phill99) but my question was joiner or locksmith. If my last joiner's work has come undone so easily, I have no confidence that I can do a better job than him.

I'll call a joiner or handyman.

£1.99 latch pack's might well have a baring on "come undone so easily"