From the Big Prawn to the Richmond River - professional property maintenance across Ballina NSW
Professional property maintenance and repairs throughout Ballina and surrounding areas
I restore weathered decks throughout Ballina. Sand, stain, and waterproof your deck properly against river humidity and coastal weather.
Essential for Ballina properties near the Richmond River. I clear debris and ensure proper drainage before storm season.
I repair and replace fencing around Ballina. Colourbond, timber, and pool fencing - all built to withstand coastal conditions.
I fix kitchen doors, drawers, and cabinet hardware. Keep your Ballina kitchen functional with professional repairs.
I handle interior painting projects across Ballina. Quality preparation and premium paints that handle the humidity.
All the odd jobs around your Ballina property. Shelving, door handles, minor plumbing, and general maintenance work.
I've been working around Ballina for years and understand the unique challenges properties face here. The Richmond River brings humidity that affects timber and paint. Salt air from the coast accelerates corrosion. Properties near the river need special attention for drainage and moisture management.
High humidity from the Richmond River, coastal salt exposure, and seasonal flooding risks require specific maintenance approaches. I know which materials work best here.
I service properties from East Ballina near the Big Prawn, through South Ballina's older homes, to West Ballina's newer developments. Each area has different building styles and maintenance needs - I adjust my approach accordingly.
Whether you're maintaining a riverside cottage, a family home in Ballina Heights, or a commercial property near the CBD, I understand the local conditions and use materials that last in this environment.
From the iconic Big Prawn to the Richmond River, I've been serving Ballina properties for over 15 years. I understand the unique challenges of our coastal environment - from salt air affecting hardware to humidity issues with timber.
Whether you're maintaining a riverfront property, updating your East Ballina home, or managing an investment property near the lighthouse, I provide reliable, professional service that protects your investment and keeps your property in top condition.
From the Big Prawn to Richmond River - we know Ballina inside out
The Big Prawn is Ballina's most iconic landmark - if you live or work near the Pacific Highway precinct, you're in our main service area. This commercial and tourist hub includes motels, retail properties, service businesses, and the mix of commercial and residential properties that line the highway through Ballina.
I work with numerous business owners in this area who need reliable handyman services - from fixing commercial doors and bathroom facilities to maintaining motel units and shop fit-outs. The highway precinct requires fast response times (businesses can't afford downtime) and professional service that doesn't disrupt operations.
Big Prawn area services: Commercial property maintenance, motel unit repairs, retail shop maintenance, emergency repairs during business hours, bathroom and kitchen commercial fixes, signage and external repairs, and after-hours work to avoid business disruption.
Ballina's Richmond River waterfront properties face unique challenges - you get both coastal salt exposure AND river moisture. Properties along River Street, the marina area, and riverfront homes deal with accelerated corrosion, constant humidity, and the challenge of maintaining timber and metal fixtures in this dual-exposure environment.
I've worked on dozens of riverfront properties and understand the specific requirements - marine-grade hardware is essential (standard stainless steel fails quickly), timber needs regular maintenance and proper treatments, and you need to inspect deck screws and fixings twice as often as inland properties. The 2022 floods also affected many riverfront properties, requiring extensive repairs and upgrades.
Richmond River specialists: Deck restoration using marine-grade treatments, replacement of corroded hardware and fixings, post-flood property repairs and restoration, mold prevention and treatment (endemic in river properties), timber maintenance for humid conditions, and marina-adjacent property maintenance.
Ballina CBD stretches from River Street through to Tamar Street, encompassing retail shops, offices, cafes, and the mix of commercial and residential properties that form Ballina's business heart. The 2022 floods significantly impacted CBD properties, and many businesses are still completing repairs and upgrades to flood-proof their premises.
Commercial CBD properties need handyman services that understand business requirements - work outside business hours when possible, minimal disruption to operations, professional appearance and conduct (you're working around customers), and fast turnaround. I provide detailed tax invoices and can coordinate with property managers for commercial leases.
Ballina CBD services: Commercial property maintenance, shop fit-out handyman work, bathroom and kitchen repairs for cafes/restaurants, post-flood commercial repairs, door and access hardware (heavy use in retail), office maintenance, and emergency repairs during or after business hours.
Ballina's northern waterfront suburbs - North Creek, Shaws Bay, and East Ballina - feature canal estates, waterfront properties, and modern coastal homes. These areas combine the challenges of coastal living (salt air, UV exposure) with the specific issues of canal properties (constant water exposure, marine environment, boat access considerations).
Canal estate properties have unique maintenance needs - outdoor entertaining areas get constant use, decks need marine-grade treatments, and any metal fixtures near water require 316-grade stainless steel to survive. I work with numerous North Creek and Shaws Bay property owners who've learned (the expensive way) that standard materials don't last in this environment.
Waterfront area services: Deck restoration for canal properties, marine-grade hardware replacement, outdoor entertainment area maintenance, fence repairs (salt + moisture accelerates deterioration), gutter cleaning and maintenance, and general coastal property upkeep.
West Ballina and Ballina Heights represent Ballina's main residential suburbs - family homes, investment properties, and the mix of older established properties and newer residential estates. These areas sit above flood lines (learned painfully in 2022) and offer more traditional suburban handyman services without the extreme coastal or river exposure challenges.
Residential Ballina properties still need regular maintenance - decks and fencing (though less aggressive deterioration than waterfront), kitchen cupboard repairs, gutter cleaning, general property maintenance, and the usual wear-and-tear of family homes. Many properties in these suburbs are rentals, requiring responsive service for property managers and landlords.
Residential Ballina services: General property maintenance, kitchen and bathroom repairs, deck and fence maintenance, gutter cleaning, painting and touch-ups, rental property repairs between tenancies, and investment property maintenance for landlords.
River town living comes with unique maintenance challenges
The 2022 floods devastated Ballina, particularly CBD and Richmond River properties. Two years later, many property owners are still completing repairs, dealing with insurance claims, and upgrading properties to minimize future flood damage. I've worked on dozens of post-flood repairs and understand the specific challenges - hidden water damage, mold issues, insurance documentation requirements, and the stress of rebuilding.
Post-flood repairs aren't just fixing visible damage - you need to check structural timber for hidden rot, identify mold growth behind walls and under floors, replace electrical fixtures that were submerged, and document everything for insurance claims. I work with insurance assessors and loss adjusters regularly, providing detailed photo documentation and scope-of-works that support claims.
My post-flood repair services: Comprehensive damage assessment with photo documentation, structural timber inspection and replacement, mold identification and remediation, kitchen and bathroom reconstruction after water damage, deck and fence repairs/replacement, electrical and plumbing coordination, insurance claim documentation and support, and flood-proofing upgrades for future protection.
Even without flooding, Richmond River properties battle constant moisture and humidity. River fog, high humidity year-round, and the moisture-laden environment mean timber deteriorates faster, mold grows aggressively, and any moisture-sensitive materials fail prematurely. Kitchen cupboards won't close properly (moisture swells timber), deck boards rot from underneath, and mold appears in bathrooms and under houses.
I see this daily in Ballina riverfront properties: kitchen doors that stick in summer (humidity swells the timber), black mold on deck joists (moisture + lack of airflow), and rotted fence posts (ground moisture + river humidity). The solution isn't just fixing the immediate problem - it's understanding moisture management, proper ventilation, and using materials that handle Ballina's humid river environment.
My humidity management solutions: Kitchen cabinet door adjustments and moisture-resistant treatments, deck restoration with anti-fungal treatments (prevents mold), proper deck ventilation design, timber moisture barriers and treatments, mold prevention strategies, and material selection that survives humid conditions.
Ballina properties, especially near the river mouth and coastal areas, face a double challenge - coastal salt spray AND river moisture. This combination accelerates corrosion faster than either condition alone. Standard "stainless steel" hardware corrodes within 12-18 months. Galvanized screws rust rapidly. Aluminum fixings pit and deteriorate. And anything not designed for marine exposure fails prematurely.
The most common failure I see: kitchen cupboard hinges that have corroded and broken (doors won't close), deck screws that have rusted (creating safety hazards), outdoor furniture and fixture bolts that have seized (can't be removed without drilling out), and fence post hardware that has failed completely. Replacing like-for-like is pointless - you need to upgrade to proper marine-grade materials.
My corrosion prevention approach: I use only 316 marine-grade stainless steel for all Ballina coastal/river properties. It costs 30-40% more than standard hardware, but lasts 10x longer. For decks, I use hot-dip galvanized coach screws or 316SS deck screws. For timber repairs, I pre-treat all cut ends. And I educate property owners on regular inspection and maintenance - catching corrosion early prevents expensive failures.
Ballina's CBD and commercial areas require different handyman services than residential properties. Commercial properties can't afford extended downtime - a broken door lock needs same-day service, bathroom issues affect customer experience, and any maintenance needs to minimize business disruption. Plus commercial leases often require documented maintenance and compliance with building codes.
I work with numerous Ballina business owners, property managers, and commercial landlords. Common issues: commercial door hardware that fails from heavy use, bathroom fixtures in retail/cafe premises needing rapid replacement, shop fit-out modifications and repairs, and emergency fixes when something breaks during business hours (can't wait until tomorrow).
My commercial property service: Same-day response for urgent commercial issues, after-hours and weekend work available (minimize business disruption), detailed tax invoices for business accounting, commercial-grade materials and fixtures (heavier use requirements), coordination with property managers and commercial leases, and professional appearance/conduct appropriate for customer-facing businesses.
Understanding local regulations including post-flood building codes
The 2022 floods fundamentally changed Ballina's building regulations. Ballina Shire Council now has extensive flood overlay mapping affecting properties throughout Ballina, particularly CBD and Richmond River areas. If your property was flood-affected, any structural repairs or rebuilding may require Development Application and flood-proofing measures.
New flood regulations affect: Floor level requirements for new construction or major renovations, electrical and utility placement (must be above flood levels), building materials in flood-prone areas (flood-resistant where possible), emergency egress requirements, and documentation for insurance and resale purposes.
For handyman work, most repairs don't trigger flood compliance DAs - replacing like-for-like (deck boards, fence palings, kitchen cupboards) is maintenance, not development. But if you're raising floor levels, relocating utilities, or making structural changes, council approval is required. Contact Ballina Shire Council on (02) 6686 4444 for flood overlay advice specific to your property.
Ballina Shire Council has standard NSW DA requirements for handyman work. Most maintenance and repairs don't need approval, but extensions, alterations, and structural changes do require council assessment.
NO DA required for: Like-for-like repairs (replacing deck boards, fence palings, broken fixtures), painting and re-painting, kitchen cupboard repairs and replacements (internal work), gutter cleaning and minor repairs, minor fence repairs (same height and materials), and general property maintenance.
DA usually required for: New decks or deck extensions over certain heights, fence height changes or material changes on street-facing boundaries, structural changes or additions, carports and shade structures, and any work in flood overlay areas that changes structure or floor levels.
Ballina Shire Council: (02) 6686 4444 | 40 Cherry Street, Ballina | Free pre-DA advice available | Online DA tracking system
Properties adjacent to the Richmond River have special setback and riparian zone requirements under Ballina LEP. If your property backs onto the river, creek, or waterway, there are restrictions on what can be built or modified within the riparian zone (typically 20-40m from water's edge depending on property).
For handyman work, this mainly affects decks, fencing, and outdoor structures near waterways. Repairs to existing structures are generally okay, but new construction or extensions within riparian zones trigger additional council requirements. I'm familiar with these regulations and can advise whether your proposed work needs specialist riparian assessment.
Ballina's coastal and river properties must comply with NSW Building Code standards, with additional considerations for corrosive environments. Deck balustrades must be minimum 1000mm high for elevated decks. Gaps between rails must be less than 125mm. Stair handrails and treads have specific dimensional requirements.
For coastal/river properties, I also recommend (though not always legally required): Marine-grade fixings and hardware, corrosion-resistant materials for exposed locations, regular inspection schedules for deck safety, and documentation for rental property compliance and insurance.
I cover all Ballina suburbs - here's how to direct me to your property
To Big Prawn area: Head north on Pacific Highway (River Street becomes Pacific Hwy). Big Prawn is 2km north of town centre, 3 minutes drive. Most commercial properties are along the highway or Tamar Street parallel.
To Richmond River waterfront: River Street IS the waterfront - properties along River Street, Burns Point Ferry Road, and North Creek Road. Instant access from town centre.
To North Creek/Shaws Bay: Head east on River Street, becomes East Ballina, continue to North Creek Road. Shaws Bay properties are along East Ballina and Shelly Beach Road. 5-7 minutes from CBD.
To West Ballina: Take Tamar Street west from CBD, cross the bypass, enter West Ballina residential streets. 5 minutes from town centre.
To Ballina Heights: Head south on River Street, turn right onto Southern Cross Drive, wind up to Heights. 7 minutes from CBD, elevated position above flood zone.
From the north (Byron Bay direction): Take Ballina/Byron exit, follow signs to Ballina via Ballina Road. Brings you into Ballina from west side. 10 minutes from motorway to CBD.
From the south (Lismore/Sydney direction): Take Ballina exit, follow Pacific Highway into Ballina. Passes through West Ballina, hits Big Prawn, continues to CBD. 8 minutes from motorway to town centre.
Alternative via Lennox Head: If heading to East Ballina or waterfront areas, you can route via Lennox Head (more scenic, adds 5 minutes but avoids town centre traffic).
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is south of town - if you're directing me to airport-adjacent properties or Southern Cross Drive area, note that airport access is via Southern Cross Drive from Pacific Highway. Airport industrial area has some commercial properties I service regularly.
Ballina CBD parking is manageable most times, busier during school holidays. River Street has street parking and council car parks. For riverfront properties with boat access, let me know if water access or tidal considerations affect property access (some low-lying riverfront areas flood at king tides).
Post-flood, some CBD and riverfront roads have changed one-way directions or access restrictions. If your property was flood-affected and has unusual access requirements, mention it when booking.
Info about handyman work in Ballina
Kitchen repairs from Contact for quote, deck restoration Contact for quote, general handyman Contact for quote/hour. Post-flood work same rates as standard repairs - no disaster premium.
2022 floods hit Ballina hard. Work with insurance assessors regularly - provide photo documentation, written scope of works, proper invoicing for claims. Use materials that meet insurance requirements. Still here if there's issues down the track.
River properties get both salt air and river moisture. Different to straight coastal. Understand which areas flooded in 2022 (and 2017). North Creek properties different to West Ballina Heights - need different approaches.
Work with Ballina CBD businesses. Can do after-hours to avoid disrupting trading. Proper invoicing for business accounting.
Call: 0481 457271
CBD, Richmond River, North Creek, West Ballina. Post-flood repairs, standard maintenance.
Fair rates for professional handyman services throughout Ballina NSW
Get professional handyman services from the Big Prawn to Richmond River - honest quote, quality work, reliable service
Get Your Free Quote"We manage a few rental properties in Ballina and use Good Hands for all our maintenance jobs. Daniel is reliable, professional, and communicates well with tenants. From repairing decks to repainting interiors, he handles everything with care. Highly recommend his property maintenance service."
Emma K. - Ballina
"Daniel from Good Hands has been a lifesaver. I've called him for everything from fixing doors and patching walls to sorting out small plumbing jobs. He always turns up when he says he will, does quality work, and leaves everything clean and tidy. Easily the best handyman service in the Northern Rivers."
Sarah M. - Byron Bay
Yes, we regularly service Ballina and surrounding areas including Lennox Head, Alstonville, and East Ballina. We handle all general handyman work, property maintenance, and carpentry for residential and rental properties.
Contact us for a free quote. Costs depend on the job scope and materials. We provide clear quotes before starting work. Travel from Byron Bay is included in our standard service area pricing.
We handle deck repairs, fence repairs, gutter cleaning, painting, door repairs, kitchen maintenance, fly screens, general carpentry, and property maintenance. Basically any handyman work for homes and rental properties.
Yes, we respond to emergency repairs in Ballina for storm damage, broken doors/windows, fence collapses, and urgent maintenance issues. Call 0481 457271 for emergency service.
Yes, we work with several Ballina property managers for rental maintenance and Airbnb turnarounds. We provide fast service, detailed invoicing, and can coordinate with tenants as needed.