Quick answer: Book pre-Christmas handyman jobs in October or by mid-November, before diaries fill and many businesses wind down for the holidays. The most popular jobs are:
- Deck and outdoor area repairs
- Pressure cleaning and gutter cleaning
- Fly screen, door, lock and window repairs
- Fence and gate repairs
- Smoke alarm checks and upgrades (required in all Queensland homes from 1 January 2027)
- Bathroom regrouting and paint touch-ups
- Flat-pack and gift assembly, and hanging TVs, shelves and blinds
A local Hubby can often do several of these in one visit.
Christmas falls on a Friday this year, and if your house is anything like most, the to-do list is already longer than the wish list. The loose deck board. The fly screen with a hole the size of a fist. The bathroom grout that’s gone a funny colour. The front door that only locks if you lift and shove it.
None of these jobs is big on its own, but together they’re the difference between a stress-free Christmas and spending Boxing Day with a drill in your hand. Here’s what to get sorted now, and why waiting until December is a gamble.
Why book your pre-Christmas jobs now, not in December?
Diaries fill fast. From November, everyone wants the same thing: a house that’s ready for guests, holidays and summer. Booking in October or early November means you choose the time, not whatever’s left.
The Christmas shutdown. Many businesses and suppliers slow down from mid-December and don’t return to full speed until mid-January. A job that isn’t booked by early December can easily roll into the new year.
The weather turns. Storm season is building in Queensland and New South Wales, and bushfire season is on the way in the southern states. Blocked gutters, loose fixings and broken screens are best sorted before the first big storm or hot, windy day. Jobs like oiling decks and exterior painting also need mild, dry days. December heat makes them harder to schedule.
Small problems grow. A cracked tile lets water in. A loose deck board becomes a rotten one. A gate that won’t latch becomes a safety risk. Fixing things early is almost always cheaper.
You want to enjoy the break. Nobody wants to spend their holidays on the tools.
Queensland has a smoke alarm deadline. From 1 January 2027, all Queensland homes need interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms, not just rentals and homes being sold (Queensland Government). More on that below.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
The pre-Christmas handyman checklist
Outdoors and entertaining
1. Deck and outdoor area refresh. Replace loose or split boards, tighten balustrades and stair treads, and clean and oil the deck so it’s safe and looking its best for barbecue season.
2. Pressure cleaning. Driveways, paths, pavers, patios and pool surrounds lose their grime and slippery algae. It’s one of the quickest ways to lift the look of a home before guests arrive.
3. Gutter cleaning. Clear leaves and debris before storm season to prevent overflows and water damage, and to reduce the ember risk in bushfire-prone areas.
4. Fences and gates. Fix sagging gates, broken palings and latches that don’t catch. With kids home for the school holidays, pool gates that self-close and self-latch are a priority.
5. Outdoor summer-ready jobs. Shade sail fixings, pergola touch-ups, outdoor shelving and hooks for festive lights.
Safety and security
6. Smoke alarms. Test every alarm and replace any that are over 10 years old. In Queensland, all homes need interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms from 1 January 2027, according to the Queensland Fire Department. “Photoelectric” is the type of sensor; “interconnected” means when one alarm goes off, they all go off. Note: a licensed electrician must install hardwired smoke alarms.
7. Fly screen and security screen repairs. Summer means open windows, and open windows mean mozzies and flies. Rescreen torn mesh, fix sticking sliding screens and repair security doors.
8. Doors, locks and windows. Sticking doors, dodgy handles, windows that won’t lock and doors that don’t close properly are an easy win before you go away for the holidays.
9. Childproofing and furniture anchoring. If grandkids, nieces or nephews are visiting, anchor bookcases, TVs and drawers to the wall and fit safety latches.
Getting the house guest-ready
10. Bathroom and kitchen regrouting and resealing. Fresh grout and new silicone around the shower, bath and kitchen benches make a room look cleaner and help stop leaks and mould.
11. Paint touch-ups and patching. Fill holes, patch dents and touch up scuffed walls, doors and skirting boards before the house fills with visitors.
12. Storage solutions. Garage shelving, wardrobe fit-outs and hooks free up space for guests and for everything that arrives on Christmas morning.
Gifts, gadgets and setting up
13. Flat-pack and gift assembly. Bikes, trampolines, cubby houses, outdoor furniture and bunk beds. Book a Hubby to assemble them so they’re ready on the day, not half-built on the lounge room floor.
14. Hanging and mounting. TVs, mirrors, artwork, shelves, curtain rods and blinds, installed securely and level.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
Quick reference: why each job can’t wait
| Job | Why book it before Christmas? |
|---|---|
| Deck and outdoor area | Needs dry, mild weather; ready for entertaining season |
| Pressure cleaning | First impressions for guests; removes slippery algae |
| Gutter cleaning | Before storm and bushfire season peaks |
| Fences and gates | Pool and child safety over the school holidays |
| Smoke alarms | QLD deadline 1 January 2027; general safety check |
| Fly screens | Keep summer insects outside when your windows are open |
| Doors, locks and windows | Home security while you’re away |
| Childproofing | Safety of your children and visiting children |
| Regrouting and resealing | Helps prevent leaks and mould; bathrooms get used more when you have guests or visitors |
| Paint touch-ups | Paint needs time to cure before the house fills up |
| Storage | Makes room for guests and gifts |
| Flat-pack and gift assembly | Ready to go on Christmas morning |
| Hanging and mounting | New TVs, artwork and mirrors up before the celebrations begin |
Going away for Christmas? Do these before you leave
- Fix any door or window that doesn’t lock properly.
- Clean the gutters so a summer storm doesn’t cause damage while you’re away.
- Test your smoke alarms.
- Secure outdoor furniture, shade sails and loose items that could blow around.
- Repair gates and fences so pets stay in and people stay out.
Landlords, property managers and sellers
The end of the year is a busy time for leases and inspections. Sorting maintenance before Christmas keeps tenants happy through the holidays and helps avoid urgent callouts when fewer trades are available. If you’re selling this spring or summer, small repairs such as regrouting, paint touch-ups and fixing doors are some of the lowest-cost ways to improve how a property presents. Hubbies work with landlords and property managers all year round.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book a handyman before Christmas?
Book in October or by mid-November. Diaries fill quickly in the weeks before Christmas, and many businesses and suppliers slow down from mid-December.
What jobs can a Hubby do?
Hubbies handle general repairs and maintenance, including carpentry, decks, fences and gates, doors and windows, fly screens, tiling and grouting, painting, pressure cleaning, gutter cleaning, flat-pack assembly, storage solutions, and hanging and installing fixtures. Services vary by location, so check with your local Hubby.
Can I get several small jobs done in one visit?
Yes. Many customers write a list and have a Hubby work through it in one visit. It’s an efficient way to get lots of small jobs done before Christmas.
Do Queensland homes need new smoke alarms by 2027?
Yes. From 1 January 2027, all Queensland homes, townhouses and units must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms, including owner-occupied homes. Rentals and homes being sold already have to comply. See the Queensland Fire Department’s smoke alarm FAQs for full details.
Do Hubbies work over the Christmas break?
Most of our Hubbies take a well-earned break over Christmas and New Year. The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have.
Which areas does Hire A Hubby service?
Hire A Hubby has local Hubbies across Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. Find your local Hubby.
Book your Hubby before the rush
The sooner you book, the sooner you can stop thinking about the to-do list and start thinking about the cricket, the Christmas lunch, and fun. Find your local Hubby and get your jobs booked before December.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
Last updated: October 2026 · By Janet Rowlands, Marketing Manager, Hire A Hubby
