Inverloch sits where Anderson Inlet meets Bass Strait, at the western end of the Bunurong coast and about half an hour from Leongatha by the Bass Highway. It is a beach town with two distinct lives: a quiet, settled community of permanent residents for most of the year, and a busy holiday town over summer, Easter and long weekends when the population swells and the caravan parks and holiday houses fill. The surf beach, the calm inlet, the Flat Rocks dinosaur dig site and the Bunurong Coastal Drive towards Cape Paterson draw visitors back year after year.

Inverloch is in the Bass Coast Shire rather than South Gippsland, but for many Leongatha families it is their local beach, and plenty of people live in one and work in the other. We provide handyman services across Inverloch 3996, including the estates around the town, the homes along the inlet and the bush blocks out towards Pound Creek.

Coastal homes need different care

Salt, sand, wind and sun are hard on houses. In Inverloch you see:

• Corrosion. Hinges, screws, door hardware, window catches and fence fixings rust far faster than inland. We use stainless or galvanised hardware wherever we can.
• Sand in everything. Sliding door tracks and window tracks fill with sand and the rollers wear out. Cleaning tracks and replacing rollers is one of our most common jobs here.
• Weathered timber. Decks, steps, fences and outdoor showers’ surrounds dry out, grey and split under sun and salt spray. Regular oiling makes a big difference.
• Damp and mould. Houses that are shut up between visits often build up condensation and mould, especially in bathrooms and south-facing bedrooms.
• Wind. Strong onshore winds lean on fences, tear flyscreens and slam doors and gates.

Holiday house care

Many Inverloch homes are owned by families in Melbourne or elsewhere in Victoria and used on weekends and over summer. Owners want the house ready when they arrive and do not want to spend their holiday fixing things. We can:

• Do a pre-summer walk-through and work through any repairs
• Clean gutters and pressure wash paths, decks and outdoor showers’ areas
• Service sliding doors, windows, screens and locks
• Treat mould and re-silicone wet areas
• Assemble new outdoor furniture and beds
• Fit extra hooks and rails for towels, wetsuits and boards
• Send photos so you know the house is ready

We can arrange key collection from a local agent or lockbox.

Rentals and short stays

Short-stay rentals see heavy use. Doors, handles, flyscreens, blinds and outdoor furniture all wear faster. We work with owners and local agents to keep things in working order between bookings.

Permanent residents

Inverloch’s permanent population includes many retirees and families who have moved from Melbourne. Grab rails, lever handles, step rails and small home safety changes are common requests, along with TV mounting, shelving and general repairs.

Popular jobs in Inverloch

• Sliding door and window track cleaning and roller replacement
• Flyscreen re-meshing and new screens
• Deck repairs, cleaning and oiling
• Fence and gate repairs in sandy ground
• Rust replacement of hinges, latches and hardware
• Mould treatment and bathroom silicone
• Gutter cleaning on single-storey homes
• Pre-season holiday house checks

Coastal erosion

Parts of the Inverloch surf beach foreshore have suffered major erosion in recent years, and the issue is well known locally. That is a large-scale coastal management matter for the authorities. On individual properties, we focus on the day-to-day maintenance that keeps coastal homes in good shape.

Getting a quote

Send your list and photos through the form. If you are not in town, tell us how we can access the property.

Nearby areas

We also cover Leongatha, Tarwin Lower, Venus Bay, Koonwarra, Meeniyan and the surrounding district.

A town on Anderson Inlet

Inverloch sits where Anderson Inlet meets Bass Strait, at the eastern end of the Bunurong coast in Bass Coast Shire. The town has a strong permanent population and swells hugely over summer with holidaymakers. Calm inlet beaches suit families and kitesurfers, the surf beach faces open ocean, and the rock platforms along the coast towards Cape Paterson are famous for dinosaur fossil discoveries at sites such as Flat Rocks. It is a town where the sea is never far away, and that shapes every house in it.

Salt, sand and wind

Coastal conditions are hard on buildings. Salt-laden air corrodes steel nails, screws, hinges, door closers, window winders and flyscreen mesh. Sand blows into sliding door tracks and wears out rollers. Strong winds from the south-west batter fences, gates, pergolas and outdoor furniture. Timber decks and outdoor showers weather quickly in the sun and salt.

We use materials suited to the coast: stainless and marine-grade hardware, stainless or fibreglass mesh, exterior-grade sealants and suitable coatings. It costs a little more upfront but lasts far longer.

Coastal erosion and local awareness

Erosion at Inverloch’s surf beach has been significant in recent years, with dunes lost along the coast near Cape Paterson Road. While coastal protection is a matter for authorities, homeowners near the coast are more aware of wind, storms and water around their properties. Keeping gutters, drainage, fences and outdoor structures in good order helps your property cope with severe weather.

Holiday homes and absentee owners

Many Inverloch homes are owned by people who live in Melbourne or elsewhere and visit on weekends and over summer. Problems can go unnoticed for weeks: a leaking gutter, a jammed sliding door, a broken gate latch or a deck board that has lifted. We offer property checks before and after the peak season, and on request after storms. We work through your list, fix small issues on the spot and send photos.

Short-stay rentals

Short-stay rentals need fast turnarounds. We can work between guests to fix broken fittings, adjust doors and screens, assemble outdoor furniture and replace worn bathroom accessories. Owners and managers receive photos and a summary after every visit.

Permanent residents and retirees

Inverloch has many permanent residents, including a large retired community. Grab rails, handrails, lever handles and other safety aids help people stay in their homes. We also help with ladder jobs, heavy lifting and the general list of repairs that builds up in every home.

New homes in growing estates

Inverloch has grown, with new estates on the edges of town. New homes need fit-out work: TV mounting, shelving, blinds and curtains, flat-pack furniture, clotheslines and letterboxes. We get these done quickly so you can settle in.

Popular coastal jobs

• replacing corroded hinges, latches and door closers with marine-grade hardware
• re-meshing flyscreens with stainless or fibreglass mesh
• cleaning and replacing rollers in sliding doors and windows full of sand
• repairing and oiling decks and outdoor showers
• refixing fences and gates loosened by wind
• pressure cleaning paths, decks and outdoor furniture
• resealing bathrooms in houses that sit closed up
• fitting hooks and racks for wetsuits, boards and beach gear

Getting ready for summer

Summer is the busiest time in Inverloch, and trades get booked out. We recommend booking spring maintenance early: gutters cleared, decks cleaned and oiled, screens repaired and the house ready for guests or family. Doing it before December saves a last-minute scramble.

Mould in closed-up houses

Holiday houses that sit closed through winter often have musty smells and mould on ceilings, in wardrobes and in bathrooms. Airing the house regularly helps. We clean and treat mould, reseal wet areas, and can fit wall vents or simple ventilation improvements that do not need an electrician.

Getting work done in Inverloch

Inverloch is about half an hour from Leongatha. We group jobs in the town to make visits efficient. Send your list, photos and address, and let us know if you will be there or if we need to collect keys. We cover Inverloch (3996) and nearby areas including Pound Creek, Wattle Bank and the coast road towards Cape Paterson.

Licensed work

For electrical, plumbing, gas and structural work we will point you to licensed trades. Many coastal jobs are within handyman scope, and we are clear about what is and is not.

Decks and outdoor living

Outdoor living is central to coastal life. Decks, pergolas, outdoor showers and boardwalk-style paths all take a beating from sun, salt and sand. We replace damaged boards, refix loose ones with stainless screws, clean and oil timber, repair steps and handrails, and tidy up outdoor showers so they drain properly. Larger structural work or new decks above certain heights may need a registered builder and a permit, and we will tell you if so.

Frequently asked questions