Looking after your home
Finding it hard to keep your home clean, safe or warm?
There’s support available in Surrey to help you stay independent and comfortable. You can get help with housework, small repairs, home adaptations and energy costs. Trusted local services can also help with equipment, safety improvements and finding reliable tradespeople. This page explains what support is available and how to find it.
What's on this page:
Help with housework
If you're finding it hard to keep your home clean, support is available. It can help you stay safe, independent and comfortable.
You can get help with:
- cleaning and tidying
- laundry and changing bed sheets
- washing up
- light gardening
This type of support is sometimes called home help or domestic support. It’s different from personal care, but you can have both.
Find local services
Connect to Support Surrey is our online directory of local services. You can use it to find help near you.
On the directory, you can:
- search by keyword, like cleaning or handyperson
- enter your postcode
- use filters to narrow results – on a desktop, these are on the left. On a mobile, they appear at the top
Help with small jobs and repairs
Handyperson services can help with everyday tasks around your home. This can make your home safer, easier to use and more comfortable.
A handyperson could help you with the following:
- Safety and accessibility
- fitting grab rails, stair rails and half steps
- fitting lever taps and toilet seats with strong colour contrast (helpful for dementia)
- securing rugs, carpets and wires to prevent trips and falls
- fitting key safes, door chains and locks for security
- fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and door viewers
- Minor repairs and DIY
- changing light bulbs and toilet seats
- sealing sinks and baths
- small plumbing jobs
- assembling flat-pack furniture
- hanging curtains, blinds, mirrors and shelves
- draught-proofing and energy-saving tasks
Find trusted tradespeople
If you want to find your own trader, use trusted sources to stay safe.
Check Finding the right trader from Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards.
Trading Standards approved businesses
The UKTSA website helps you find trusted Trading Standards approved businesses.
You can:
- search by trade or postcode
- find approved local tradespeople
- get help with things like plumbing, decorating and electrical work
District and borough council handyperson services
District and borough councils in Surrey commission handyperson services. They carry out simple adaptations. They can provide services like:
- fitting shelves
- adding smoke alarms
- plumbing repairs
To find out more see small adaptations and handyperson schemes.
Equipment and gadgets
Simple tools can help you move safely and do daily tasks at home.
Useful products include:
- grab rails
- walking trolleys
- reachers or pick-up tools
The home equipment finder
Use the home equipment finder to search for helpful products based on your needs.
You can:
- search by room or area, like kitchen or outside
- choose your needs, like falls or mobility
- browse by product type
Make your home safer
If stairs or rooms are hard to access, a home adaptation may help.
Each borough and district council can:
- advise on home improvements
- help you apply for grants or funding
- arrange an assessment with an occupational therapist
You may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This grant can help you pay for changes like stairlifts or accessible bathrooms.
Money help for your home
If you're worried about heating or repairs, support is available.
Citizens Advice can help you explore:
- benefits you may be entitled to
- grants like the Winter Fuel Payment
The SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisors) can help you find a financial adviser who specialises in later life planning.
Help to keep your home warm and energy efficient
If you're worried about heating or energy bills, support is available.
Visit Surrey County Council's Home Energy Support for Residents page to:
- check what help is available
- use the Energy Advice Tool
- find local schemes and funding
- get tips on reducing energy use and staying warm