Harkaway sits in the green hills directly north of Berwick, along Harkaway Road and the winding lanes that climb toward the ranges. It is a small, semi-rural community of lifestyle properties, hobby farms and large family homes on acreage, surrounded by paddocks, tree-lined roads and sweeping views south over Casey to Western Port on a clear day. It shares the 3806 postcode with Berwick but feels like the country.

We provide handyman services across Harkaway, helping owners keep larger properties in good order without having to do everything themselves.

Handyman services in Harkaway

• Fence repairs and gates
• Deck and pergola repairs
• Gutter cleaning
• Pressure washing
• Carpentry
• Property maintenance
• Odd jobs and rubbish removal
• General home repairs
• Door repairs and window and flyscreen repairs
• TV wall mounting and picture and shelf hanging
• Aged-care and disability rails

Properties with room to breathe

Harkaway properties are usually measured in acres, not square metres. Homes are set back from the road behind long driveways, with gardens, paddocks, dams, sheds and outdoor entertaining areas. Many were built from the 1980s onward as family homes in the hills, while others are older farmhouses or newer, larger builds. What they share is scale: there is simply more to maintain.

Entrances and gates

The entrance sets the tone of a rural property. Timber entry gates sag, posts lean, latches stop catching and paint peels. Steel gates rust at hinges and need adjustment. We rehang and repair entry gates, reset or replace posts, fit new hinges and latches, and paint or oil timber. Gate automation is specialist electrical work, but we can make sure the gate itself swings true so the motor is not straining.

Fencing around the house and paddocks

Harkaway properties typically have several types of fencing: timber paling around house gardens, post-and-rail along driveways and paddocks, and wire fencing further out. We repair paling and post-and-rail fences, replace rotten posts and broken rails, and fix storm damage. For long runs of new rural fencing or electric fencing, a rural fencing contractor is the right choice, and we will say so.

Decks with a view

Many Harkaway homes are positioned to take in the views, with decks, balconies and verandahs on the sunny side. Those decks face sun, wind and rain, and timber weathers fast in exposed positions. Common work includes:

• Cleaning and re-oiling decks
• Replacing split, cupped or rotten boards
• Refixing popped nails and loose boards with screws
• Repairing and replacing steps
• Refixing loose balustrades and handrails
• Replacing rotten pergola rafters and battens

Elevated decks and structural repairs may need a registered builder and a permit. See deck and pergola repairs.

Gutters, roofs and trees

Mature trees around homes and along driveways drop leaves into gutters through the year. On larger homes, gutter runs are long, and some sections may be on two-storey walls. We clean gutters on accessible single-storey sections and clear downpipes. For steep or high roofs, a specialist with fall protection is the safer option.

Sheds, barns and workshops

A Harkaway property often has a big shed or two: for machinery, cars, hobbies, horses or storage. We build shelving and workbenches, repair sliding and roller door tracks (non-motorised), replace damaged cladding timber, and help clear out sheds before a sale or move. Old fibre cement sheds may contain asbestos and must not be cut or drilled without testing.

Pressure washing large areas

Long concrete driveways, entertaining areas, pool surrounds and paths collect moss, mould, leaf stains and tyre marks. Pressure washing restores them and reduces slip hazards. On large areas, a surface cleaner gives even results without stripes. See pressure washing.

Inside the home

Large homes have a lot of doors, windows, walls and wet areas. Indoor jobs in Harkaway include:

• Rehanging doors, replacing handles and fixing sliding doors
• Plaster patching and painting touch-ups
• Re-siliconing bathrooms and ensuites
• Kitchen and laundry cupboard repairs
• Hanging heavy mirrors and art in large living spaces
• TV mounting in family and media rooms
• Flyscreen repairs on large windows and sliding doors

Fire season preparation

Harkaway’s grassland and trees mean fire preparation matters. Follow CFA guidance for your property. We can help with practical tasks: clearing gutters, removing debris from under decks and around the house, repairing gaps in eaves and fixing seals and screens. We do not provide fire assessments.

Owners who want to stay

Many Harkaway owners raised their families on their properties and want to stay as they get older. A regular maintenance visit can take the pressure off: gutters, gates, fences, paths and the indoor list handled in one go. We also install grab rails and handrails inside and outside, including on steps, verandahs and in bathrooms.

Getting to you

Harkaway is close to Berwick, so travel is straightforward, but driveways can be long and steep. Let us know about access, gates and animals when you request a quote.

How to book

Use our quote form with a description and photos. For outdoor jobs, an approximate length of fence or area of deck helps. We do not publish prices.

What we do not do

We do not do electrical, plumbing, gas, structural, tree removal, long-run rural fencing, wildlife removal or asbestos work.

Nearby areas

We also cover Berwick, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren East, Narre Warren and the rest of our service areas.

Hobby farm jobs

Hobby farms have their own list: chook pens with broken doors, feed sheds with collapsed shelving, gates that animals have pushed off their hinges, water trough surrounds, and timber yards that need new rails. We take on these practical jobs alongside work on the house. Livestock handling and farm machinery repairs are outside what we do.

Storm and wind damage

Harkaway’s elevation exposes properties to strong winds. Fence panels, gates, shade sails, pergola roofing and outdoor furniture can be damaged in storms. Once fallen trees are made safe by an arborist, we repair fences, gates and timber structures and replace gutter brackets. We can provide photos for insurance purposes.

Entertaining areas

Large outdoor areas with pergolas, outdoor kitchens and fire pits are popular. Timber needs regular oiling, shade structures need tight fixings, and paved areas need cleaning. We maintain these areas so they are ready for summer.

Large homes, large windows

Hills homes built to capture views often have big windows, wide sliding doors and stacker doors. These are heavy, and their rollers and tracks wear faster. When a large sliding door becomes hard to move, it puts strain on the frame and the user. Replacing rollers, adjusting the door and cleaning tracks usually restores smooth movement. Big flyscreens need tight mesh and straight frames, and pet mesh is a good option on doors used by dogs.

Dams, paths and garden steps

Many properties have paths and timber steps winding through sloping gardens, sometimes down to a dam or a lower paddock. Timber steps rot, sleepers shift and handrails loosen. We replace rotten steps, refix rails and add handrails where steps feel unsafe, especially for older family members and visitors. Larger retaining or earthworks are jobs for a landscaper.

Painting outdoor timber

Timber gates, post-and-rail fences, verandah posts and window frames all need recoating every few years in exposed positions. Paint and stain protect timber from sun and rain. We prepare and paint or stain smaller outdoor timber items, which pairs well with repair work. See painting touch-ups.

Preparing for guests and events

Harkaway properties are often the gathering place for extended family, with Christmas lunches, birthdays and celebrations hosted on the deck or lawn. Before a big event, we can wash down the entertaining area, fix the deck boards, rehang the gate, mount a TV in the outdoor room (in a suitable covered position with weather-rated brackets) and hang festoon light hooks (lighting connections by an electrician). It makes hosting easier.

Rental and shared properties

Some Harkaway properties include a second dwelling or are leased. We can maintain both homes on one visit and work with property managers on rental properties in the area.

Working in all seasons

Hills weather changes quickly. We plan outdoor work around rain and wind, and keep indoor jobs ready as a backup when the weather turns, so a visit is not wasted.

Frequently asked questions