Doveton is a small suburb with a big story. It was built largely by the Housing Commission of Victoria in the 1950s and 1960s to house workers for the large factories that opened nearby, including International Harvester, General Motors-Holden and Heinz. Many of those original homes still stand today, now joined by newer units and townhouses on subdivided blocks. Doveton sits between Dandenong and Hallam in the City of Casey, with the Princes Highway along its northern edge, the Eumemmerring Creek corridor, Myuna Farm and the Doveton Pool in the Park all part of local life. Our handyman service covers all of Doveton 3177.

Doveton’s original homes

How they were built

The original Housing Commission homes in Doveton were built quickly and economically to meet demand. Most are modest weatherboard or brick houses with timber floors on stumps, timber windows, simple timber trims and plaster or fibrous plaster walls and ceilings. They are honest, practical homes, and many have been well looked after by long-term owners. After more than sixty years, though, nearly all of them need regular repairs.

Common repairs in original homes

• Doors that stick or drag because the house has settled on its stumps
• Timber window sashes and sills that are rotten, painted shut or have broken cords
• Old flyscreens with torn mesh and bent frames
• Squeaky, loose or worn floorboards
• Cracks in plaster walls and ceilings, especially above doors and windows
• Rotten fascia boards and weatherboards near the ground or behind leaking gutters
• Old kitchen cupboards with worn hinges and sagging doors
• Back steps and landings that have worn or rotted

We repair rather than replace wherever it makes sense, and we treat older homes with care.

Asbestos awareness

Homes built in Doveton during this era may contain asbestos in fibro sheeting, eaves linings, wet area walls, vinyl floor tiles and outbuildings. We do not cut, drill, sand or remove any material we suspect may contain asbestos. If a repair involves such material, we will stop and recommend testing by a licensed assessor and, if needed, a licensed asbestos removalist. Your safety, and ours, comes first.

Newer units and townhouses

In recent years, many Doveton blocks have been redeveloped, with older houses replaced by pairs or groups of units and townhouses. These newer homes need a different set of jobs: TV mounting, furniture assembly, shelving, sliding door adjustments, silicone and grout maintenance in small bathrooms, and small defect repairs as the home settles. See TV wall mounting and flat-pack assembly.

Common handyman jobs in Doveton

• Door repairs, rehanging and new hardware
• Window sill, sash and frame repairs
• Flyscreen re-meshing and new screens
• Plaster patching and crack repair
• Floorboard and skirting repairs
• Fascia and weatherboard repairs on single-storey homes
• Fence palings, gates and latches
• Gutter cleaning
• Silicone renewal and regrouting
• Grab rails and handrails
• End-of-lease repairs

See our full list of handyman services.

Renters and landlords in Doveton

Doveton has a high share of rental homes, including public housing managed by Homes Victoria and many privately owned rentals. For private landlords and property managers, we handle routine maintenance and repairs between tenants, and we help keep homes in line with Victoria’s rental minimum standards, which cover items such as locks on external entry doors, window coverings in bedrooms and living areas, a working kitchen and structurally sound, weatherproof buildings. For renters, we help with end-of-lease repairs such as patching holes, touching up paint, renewing silicone and fixing flyscreens before the final inspection. See end-of-lease and rental repairs and property managers.

Keeping an older home warm and dry

Older Doveton homes can be cold and draughty in winter. Gaps around doors and windows, worn door seals and loose floorboards all let cold air in. Simple, low-cost fixes help: draught seals on external doors, door snakes and bottom seals, re-sealing gaps around window frames, refixing loose floorboards and fitting new weather seals. Keeping gutters clear also stops water soaking into walls and timber. These jobs make a home more comfortable and reduce heating costs. See door repairs and installation and window and flyscreen repairs.

Long-term residents

Many Doveton residents have lived in the suburb for decades, some since their families moved in when the factories were at their peak. As people age, steps, baths and low toilets become harder to manage. We fit grab rails, handrails on front and back steps, rails beside the bath and shower, and other simple aids that help people stay safely at home. See aged care and disability rails.

Timber windows: repair or replace?

Many Doveton homes still have their original timber double-hung or casement windows. Owners often assume they need replacing, but many can be repaired for a fraction of the disruption. Sashes that are painted shut can be freed and eased. Broken sash cords can be replaced so the window opens and stays open again. Soft spots in sills can be cut out and filled with epoxy, or a new sill section can be spliced in. Loose putty can be replaced, and worn catches and stays can be swapped for new ones. Once repaired, the window should be sanded, primed and painted to protect the timber. Where a frame has rotted through, or glass needs replacing, a glazier or window specialist may be needed, and we will tell you. Repairing timber windows keeps the character of the home, and they can last many more decades with care. See window and flyscreen repairs.

Floors in older homes

Timber floors on stumps move with the seasons and the ground. Common problems include squeaky boards, boards that have lifted or cupped, gaps between boards, and soft spots near the bathroom, laundry or back door where moisture has got in. We can refix loose and squeaky boards, replace damaged boards with matching timber where available, and repair skirting and scotia. If floors are noticeably sloping or bouncy across a whole room, this may point to a stump or bearer problem, and we will recommend a restumping specialist. See floor and skirting repairs.

A suburb in renewal

Doveton has been through big changes. After the factories that built the suburb wound back or closed, the area went through hard times, but community investment such as Doveton College, the Doveton Pool in the Park and work along the creek corridor have helped give the suburb new energy. More families are buying in, renovating original homes and building new ones. Whether you are restoring an original Housing Commission home or setting up a new townhouse, we can help with the small and medium jobs that make a house a home.

Gardens, fences and outdoor areas

Original Doveton homes sit on decent blocks with established gardens, side gates and long timber fences. Fences of this age often have rotten posts, missing palings and gates that drag on the ground. We replace palings, straighten panels, rehang and repair gates, replace latches and hinges, and repair old timber garden structures. Concrete paths and driveways often turn green in winter, and a pressure clean makes them safer underfoot. See fence repairs and gates and pressure washing.

Leaves from street trees and creek-side vegetation also fill gutters each autumn, so a yearly clean before winter is a good habit for every Doveton home.

How a visit works

1. Request a free quote with your list of jobs and photos if possible.

2. We confirm the scope in writing so you know exactly what will be done.

3. We arrive on time with tools and common materials.

4. We work tidily, protect floors and clean up as we go.

5. We walk through the work with you before leaving.

What we do not do

We do not do licensed electrical, gas or plumbing work, structural building or restumping, roof work on two-storey homes, or asbestos removal. If your home needs restumping or major structural repairs, we will tell you and suggest you contact a registered builder.

Nearby suburbs

We also cover Eumemmerring, Dandenong, Endeavour Hills, Dandenong North and Dandenong South. See all our service areas.

Get a free quote

Tell us what needs doing at your Doveton home or rental and we will send a clear written scope. Get a free quote.

Frequently asked questions