Skip to content
HandymanBen
  • Contact Handyman Ben
  • Handyman Services & Pricing
  • Gallery
  • About Ben
  • Blog
    • DIY – How To Guides
    • Home Maintenance & Repairs
    • Home Renovation & Improvement
    • Garden & Outdoor Projects
    • Projects & Case Studies
    • Safety & Security
    • Tool Reviews & Guides
    • Workplace / Business Tips

DIY – How To Guides

Easy-to-follow tutorials for DIY projects around the home and garden. From beginner builds to more advanced improvements, these guides walk you through each step with tips, tools, and materials needed.

How to Paint Pebbledash Walls Quickly – What Actually Works

June 30, 2026 by Ben
How to paint on pebbledash walls quickly

Pebbledash is one of those surfaces that looks simple enough to paint but will catch you out fast if you go in with the wrong approach. I recently completed a pebbledash painting job for a …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects, Home Maintenance & Repairs Leave a comment

How to Install a Decking Bannister: Newel Posts, Spindles and Rails

June 24, 2026June 24, 2026 by Ben
Feature image how to install decking bannister

This is a job I was brought in to complete after the customer had already built their raised timber decking, having handled replacing the deck from scratch themselves. My task was to fit all the …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects, Projects & Case Studies Leave a comment

How to Install Underfloor Heating in Your En-Suite: Tips, Types & What to Expect

June 22, 2026 by Ben
dry underfloor heating tiling

There are few things better on a cold morning than stepping out of bed and onto a warm bathroom floor. I know, because I’ve now got one, and I won’t be going back. After over …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Home Renovation & Improvement Leave a comment

How I Clean Gutters Properly (And When I’d Tell a Customer to Call a Pro Instead)

June 19, 2026 by Ben
gutter cleaning solutions and advise HandymanBen

Gutter cleaning is one of those jobs that looks simple from the ground and gets a lot more complicated once you’re actually up there. I’ve cleared gutters on everything from single-storey bungalows to tired old …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Home Maintenance & Repairs, Projects & Case Studies Leave a comment

How to Install a Loft Ladder On Your Own (Solo Install Guide)

June 12, 2026 by Ben
loft opening feature image solo installation guide

Every loft ladder I’ve ever unboxed comes with the same guidance on page one: “This product requires installation by two people.” Great advice. Completely useless if you’re a one-man handyman business and the only person …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Home Renovation & Improvement Leave a comment

How to Repoint Patio Slabs: A Simple DIY Guide (With Photos From a Recent Customer Job)

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 by Ben
How to re-point patio slabs from a handyman

Patio pointing might not be the most exciting garden project, but it’s one of the best ways to improve the appearance of an ageing patio and prevent further damage. Recently, I was hired by a …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects Leave a comment

How I Installed Wooden Garden Railings for an Elderly Customer (And How You Can Too)

June 24, 2026May 26, 2026 by Ben
how to install wooden garden railings

One of the most rewarding jobs I take on as a handyman is work that genuinely makes a difference to someone’s daily life. This recent project was exactly that. I was asked to install wooden …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects, Projects & Case Studies Leave a comment

How to Replace a Toilet Seat Yourself (Step-by-Step Guide)

May 11, 2026 by Ben
How to replace a toilet seat yourself with a step-by-step guide shown beside a white toilet and blue tiled bathroom floor.

I’ve replaced more toilet seats than I can count on jobs across all kinds of bathrooms. It’s one of those tasks that sounds fiddly but is genuinely straightforward once you know what you’re doing. The …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides Leave a comment

How to Fit PVC Ceiling Panels in a Bathroom (Step-by-Step)

May 6, 2026 by Ben
Gloss white twin embedded PVC ceiling panels with clean linear grooves across the bathroom ceiling, with recessed spotlights and neatly white trim.

If you have ever walked into your bathroom and spotted mould creeping across the ceiling again, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. One of my recent customers had exactly that problem. Despite repainting the …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Projects & Case Studies Leave a comment

Mazda Bongo Solar Panel Kit: 100W Install, Setup & 4-Year Review

April 14, 2026 by Ben

If you’re thinking about installing a solar panel on a Mazda Bongo, this guide covers the setup I’ve been using on my own van for more than 4 years. It’s a 100W solar panel kit …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

How to Install Remote Central Locking on a Mazda Bongo / Ford Freda (DIY Guide)

April 13, 2026 by Ben

I’ve owned my Mazda Bongo Friendee now for nearly 4 years. In this time I’ve made a few modifications to make life a little easier, improve functionality and make this vehicle a little more practical …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

How to Replace a French Door Locking Mechanism

May 1, 2026March 31, 2026 by Ben
French door lock replacement guide handle removal

I have worked on quite a few French doors over the years, and one issue that comes up time and time again is a worn or failing locking mechanism. The door itself is usually fine, …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides Leave a comment

How To Fix a Stiff and Noisy French Door Lock Without Replacing the Door

May 1, 2026March 31, 2026 by Ben
White French doors with glass panels on a garden patio, star decorations on the glass, next to a blue outdoor cabinet, reflecting a DIY home improvement setting.

I recently ran into a frustrating issue with my French doors that gradually got worse over time. The handle became tougher to turn, it started making noise when I used it, and it no longer …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Home Maintenance & Repairs Leave a comment

How to Build a Wooden Shed the Correct Way – Step-by-Step Guide

May 1, 2026March 29, 2026 by Ben
How to Build a Prefabricated Shed - beginners and DIY

Building a prefabricated shed might seem a little daunting for some, but don’t worry, I’m going to show you the step-by-step methods I use when erecting wooden sheds. I was recently hired to build this …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects, Projects & Case Studies Leave a comment

How to Make DIY Scaffold Board Shelves (Step-by-Step Guide)

March 10, 2026 by Ben
Rustic Industrial Shelving

DIY scaffold board shelves are one of the easiest ways to add rustic character to a kitchen or living space. Using reclaimed scaffold boards and steel brackets, you can create strong, beautiful shelving that looks …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

How to Turn an Under-Stairs Cupboard into a Pantry (Storage & Shelving Ideas)

May 1, 2026March 4, 2026 by Ben
Under-stair pantry

If you’re looking to make better use of the space in your home, an under-stairs cupboard can be a great place to start. These cupboards are often awkward, dark and easy to fill with clutter, …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

How to Build Your Own Log Cabin Garden Office

May 1, 2026February 12, 2026 by Ben
BillyOh Log Cabin midnight blue

Save ££££ by building your own garden office. If you’re looking to create some extra space at home, then a log cabin in your back garden could be the answer. In this post, I’m going …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects

How to Build a Garden Workshop (DIY Workshop Build Guide UK)

March 29, 2026February 2, 2026 by Ben

Building a DIY garden workshop is one of the most rewarding projects you can take on, but I will be honest, my first attempt was not perfect. After building both a flat pack workshop and …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects

DIY Kitchen Renovation: How to Remodel Your Own Kitchen Without a Builder

May 1, 2026January 28, 2026 by Ben
Completed kitchen renovation project

Renovating a kitchen yourself (a DIY kitchen remodel) is a big job, but it’s absolutely doable with planning, patience, and the right tools. If you’re asking, “Can I remodel my own kitchen?” the answer is …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

Is it Cheaper to Buy a Shed or Build Your Own? Updated costs for 2026

April 10, 2026January 14, 2026 by Ben

I wanted to know exactly how easy and cost-effective it would be to build my own shed. I couldn’t decide between the simplicity of constructing a pre-fabricated shed and the cost-effectiveness of a DIY shed. …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides, Garden & Outdoor Projects

When DIY Plumbing Fixes are No Longer Safe for Homeowners

March 18, 2026January 13, 2026 by Ben
easy plumbing you can do yourself

After years of working as a handyman, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “It was supposed to be a quick fix.” And I get it. There’s a real sense of satisfaction that …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides Leave a comment

How To Replace Your Deck: The Ultimate, 5-Step Guide

April 2, 2026November 26, 2025 by Ben
How to replace your decking

In the interest of safety, many homeowners opt to replace their deck every several years. In order to determine if your deck needs replacement, you need to consider a number of factors, not the least …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides

Your DIY Confidence Might Be Costing You More Than You Think

February 2, 2026October 26, 2025 by Ben
basic home repairs DIY

There’s a special kind of pride that comes with fixing something yourself. You grab the toolbox, roll up your sleeves, and tell yourself, ‘How hard can it be?‘ A few YouTube videos later, you’re halfway …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides Leave a comment

How to Choose the Right Wood for Your DIY Projects

March 4, 2026October 7, 2025 by Ben
woodworking workshop

Wood has been the primary material I’ve used throughout my career and home renovation projects, from building decks and verandas to crafting bespoke furniture and storage solutions. Choosing the right wood for my DIY projects …

Read more

Categories DIY - How To Guides Leave a comment
Older posts
Page1 Page2 Next →

Welcome to Handyman Ben. I’m Ben, a professional handyman based in Newquay, Cornwall, with over 10 years of hands-on experience across home repairs, improvements, and garden projects. Whether you’re looking for a reliable local tradesman or want to browse practical guides and real job write-ups, get in touch to discuss your next project.

handyman blog

Top Posts

Is it Cheaper to Buy a Shed or Build Your Own? Updated costs for 2026
Is Milwaukee Better Than Dewalt? What The Pros Say
How to Repair Cracks in Exterior Render
Handyman Tool List: Essential Tools Every Handyman Needs
How To Replace Your Deck: The Ultimate, 5-Step Guide
7 Reasons to Use DeWalt Drills for Your Next DIY Project
build own log cabin gbd

Categories

  • DIY – How To Guides
  • Garden & Outdoor Projects
  • Home Maintenance & Repairs
  • Home Renovation & Improvement
  • Projects & Case Studies
  • Safety & Security
  • Tool Reviews & Guides
  • Workplace / Business Tips
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Top Posts & Pages

Handyman Ben - Local Handyman Services in Newquay
Is it Cheaper to Buy a Shed or Build Your Own? Updated costs for 2026
Is Milwaukee Better Than Dewalt? What The Pros Say
How to Repair Cracks in Exterior Render

Local Handyman Services Brockworth Gloucester Gloucestershire

Business Hours

Monday—Friday

9am — 5pm

Social

Newquay, Cornwall

ben@handymanben.com


Loading Comments...