Vetted carpenters in Bellville. Book now.

Less than most people expect for repairs: easing a door, fixing hinges, or repairing a drawer typically lands between R450 and R1,500 all-in. The call-out (R450 – R750) is the fixed cost, so batching several wood repairs into one visit is the big saving. New built-ins are the exception — those are project budgets, quoted per unit.

All winter long — the Cape's rain season swells doors, drags gates, and finds every lapsed seal, while damp-adjacent wood (bathroom doors, kitchen plinths) needs repair and protection. Easing plus thorough resealing is the standing local prescription.

Most do — the same vetted pro who eases your sticking door can quote on new shelving, cupboard reconfigurations, or a deck repair. Describe the whole wish-list when booking: repairs get the call-out’s value, and new work gets a proper site measure while the pro is already there.

Melamine board is the budget workhorse — durable faces, huge colour range, but it hates water. MDF paints beautifully for a furniture-grade look. Solid pine suits exposed shelving and takes knocks well, while hardwoods like meranti and oak are lifetime materials at a price. The honest answer is mix-and-match: board carcasses with solid-wood fronts is the sweet spot for most homes.