Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What can I bring to the Repair Café?

A. You can bring any household item that you can carry in. Please make sure your item is in a fit state to work on; dirty items or items containing food or drink should be cleaned beforehand. We do not accept large or heavy appliances, petrol driven machines or microwave ovens; these and certain other items require professional repair services. If you wish to check, please email us at hungerfordrepaircafe@gmail.com.

Q. How many items can I bring in for repair?

A. We ask that you bring just one item to be repaired at a time. If you have several items we will ask you to decide which to register first so that others are not kept waiting. When that item has been seen and checked out, you can then return to reception to register your next item. The only exception is for knife and blade sharpening; you make take up to three blades at a time.

Q. Can I leave an item to be repaired and return later to collect it?

A. Our aim is to help you gain the knowledge and skill to repair your household things yourself. It is also community event providing a way for people to meet and talk about how to repair things. For this reason, we prefer that you stay with the volunteer to help and learn from the process.  

Q. Can I bring children or dogs into the hall?

A. We ask that children of primary school age or younger are supervised by an adult. Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not permitted in the hall. This is to avoid possible accidents with repair equipment and power leads.

Q. What happens if it turns out that the repair may take a long time?

A. Repairs that take a long time make it hard for us to share our time fairly with others who may be waiting. The volunteer will discuss possible options with you before embarking on complex repairs. He may (at his own discretion) offer to work on your item at home, or he may suggest the work requires specialist attention.

Q. What if a spare part is needed to complete a repair?

A. If you contact us before bringing in your item, we may be able to advise you on purchasing spare parts to bring in with the item. If the volunteer finds that he needs a replacement part during his work, he will try to find out where you can obtain the part so that you can bring the item and spare part back to the next session.