10 Outdoor Jobs to Finish Before the Cold Sets In

As those warm temperatures begin to dip, and the leaves fall from the trees, it’s time to turn your attention to those critical home and garden jobs for the winter. Autumn is the perfect time to get ahead on these jobs, before the real cold weather sets in, which can have a big impact on your home and garden.

By ticking off some key maintenance tasks now, you can make sure your home is ready for the winter period, avoiding costly repairs and keeping everything running smoothly.

Whether you’re looking to prepare your garden for its hibernation or getting stuck into the spare room, this guide is full of practical tips and timely reminders. Here are 10 outdoor (and a few indoor) jobs to check off your list before the real chill sets in.

1. Secure and Weatherproof Your Shed

Sheds are often overlooked and forgotten until something goes wrong. A leaking roof, a damaged door or degraded wood are all common issues that sheds have, and autumn is the perfect time to ensure your shed isn't in need of any restoration work.

Firstly, start by checking the structure for any obvious signs of damage like gaps, loose panels and warped wood. From here, seal up any holes and cracks with waterproof filler, and replace any loose or damaged felt and shingles. This will help prevent water from seeping in and ruining whatever’s stored inside.

Hinges, locks and handles are often the first things to go in sheds, and sheds that aren’t secure are more vulnerable to thieves. Reinforce doors, add a padlock if necessary, and fix anything that’s starting to rust or wobble.

If your shed is timber, consider applying a weatherproofing treatment or wood preservative. A single coat of treatment (around £10–£25) can protect your shed from damp, mould, and rot through the wettest months.

2. Treat and Protect Decking

Everyone loves wooden decking in the summer, but in the winter, it can get grimy quite easily, which is also a major slip hazard. To keep it looking great and prevent expensive repairs later, take the time now to give it some care.

First of all, give your decking a really thorough deep clean with a stiff brush, or if you have one, a pressure washer. This will remove all of the built-up dirt and moss that traps moisture and leads to slip hazards and rotten wood. Let the decking dry completely before moving onto the treatment stage.

A quality decking oil, stain, or protector adds a barrier against moisture and helps prevent splitting or warping, and most products take just an hour or two to apply with a roller or brush, and you’ll only need to reapply once a year.

Costs for decking treatments range from £15 to £50, depending on the size of the area and the product type. In any case, it’s a small price to pay for a surface that stays safe and sturdy through the winter.

3. Clean and Cover the BBQ

It is likely that the BBQ has been put through its paces during the summer, but now is the time to give it some TLC before storing it away for the winter. If you leave a BBQ exposed to the elements, you’ll have a nasty surprise come the spring time as it rusts and deteriorates.

Start by giving your BBQ a deep clean, starting with the grates, and then use a wire brush to remove burnt-on food and grease, soaking them in warm, soapy water. Clean the interior and exterior thoroughly with a degreaser or specialised BBQ cleaner, and remove any ash or debris from charcoal grills.

Once your BBQ has had a chance to dry off, cover it with a weatherproof cover and try to keep it in a sheltered spot. The cover should only cost around £15, and is worth its weight in gold as it will keep your BBQ completely protected. If your BBQ has a gas cylinder, disconnect it and store it safely in a dry, well-ventilated area.

4. Trim Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes

Overgrown plants and trees can actually become quite hazardous in the winter as strong winds and heavy rain bring down branches, block gutters, damage fences or even interfere with your roof. Autumn is the best time to prune and tidy everything up before the worst weather hits.

First off, trim back any branches that will grow over your house, shed or any other structure. Not only does this protect your property, but it also prevents leaves from clogging your gutters or downpipes. You should also remove dead growth and give hedges a quick tidy shape-up.

The majority of this work can be done with some secateurs or a hedge trimmer, but if you have large trees around your property, you may need to enlist the help of a professional. The average cost for a tree trimming service starts around £150–£500, depending on the size and complexity of the job.

5. Add or Repair Outdoor Lighting

The days are growing increasingly shorter, and it won’t be long before the evenings are over in a flash. As such, outdoor lighting becomes both a practical necessity and a seasonal mood-lifter. Whether it’s lighting your path from the car or making the garden feel cosy and magical in the evenings, now’s the time to check that all your outdoor lighting is in full working order.

The first thing to do is check the existing lights around your property, replacing any dead bulbs and cleaning up the light surround as much as possible. If you have solar panels, clear away any dirt and leaves that may have collected on top of them, and reposition motion sensor lights to catch the right angles as the daylight shifts.

If you’re looking to add some new lighting for the winter, you can pick some of these options up fairly cheaply. Solar-powered stake lights, festoon bulbs, or wall-mounted lanterns are all great choices, and prices start around £10 for basic solar lights and £30+ for hard-wired wall fittings.

If you need something a little more permanent and long-lasting, hiring an electrician to install outdoor lighting typically costs £75 to £150 per fixture, including wiring and fitting. Always choose weatherproof, outdoor-rated lights for safety.

6. Rake Leaves and Clear Gutters

Watching the leaves fall from the trees in the autumn may be beautiful, but not when they land on your lawn or driveway! Bunches of leaves can cause some problems when left to collect, as they can smother grass and help moss to grow, and clogged gutters lead to leaks and damp walls.

Throughout the autumn you should take 10 minutes once a week to rake or blow leaves off of your lawn and patios, collecting them for compost and mulch, or simply disposing of. Gutters should be cleared of all leaves, twigs, and debris to allow water to drain properly through the winter. You can do this yourself with a sturdy ladder and gloves, or hire a professional for between £50 and £150 depending on the size of your home.

If you have gutter guards installed, make sure they’re secure and free of blockages.

7. Check Fences and Garden Gates

All of that driving wind and rain can really take a toll on fences and gates, so it’s certainly worth checking in with them and making sure they’re prepared for the winter. Take a walk around your fences and check for any signs of rot, loose panels, lost hinges or any other signs of damage.

Taking the time to carry out small fixes now, like securing loose boards or oiling gate latches, can prevent very costly replacements down the line. If your fencing needs a little more love, take the time to give it a fresh coat of weatherproof paint, which will protect it from any degradation over the winter period.

Fence paint and sealant cost around £15 to £25 per tin and can be applied with a sprayer or brush. If you need to replace sections, labour costs for a new fence panel start from around £50–£80 per panel, plus materials.

8. Tidy Up Garden Tools and Furniture

A crucial job that is often overlooked is rounding up all of the tools and garden furniture that have been used over the summer, giving them all a good clean, and storing them away safely for the winter.

Garden furniture should be cleaned and dried before being covered or moved into shelter, and if you have wooden furniture, consider treating it with wood oil or varnish to protect it over the cold months. Waterproof covers for outdoor furniture start at around £15, and a few minutes of cleaning now will help everything look fresh when spring rolls around again.

9. Check the Roof, Loft and Insulation

Looking now to the indoors, autumn is the best time to get into the loft and check that everything is ok before those below freezing temperatures. Start by doing a visual inspection, checking for any signs of damaged insulation, sagging areas or damp. You could also give the roof a good look over from the outside to check for any signs of moss or loose tiles.

Topping up loft insulation can help retain heat and save on energy bills, especially if your home feels draughty or cold. You can insulate your loft yourself with rolls of insulation from around £20–£30 each, or hire a professional installer. Loft insulation installation starts at around £300 and can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency.

10. Prepare the Spare Room for Guests

One of the best things about autumn and winter is all the reasons for get-togethers. Whether it's Bonfire night, Christmas or a New Year's party, you may have family and friends popping round and staying overnight. As such, you may want to spend a little time preparing your guest room.

Start by opening the windows for an hour or two to air it out, and wash the bedding, fluff the pillows, and layer the bed with a throw or blanket to make it feel extra cosy. Add a bedside lamp, a stack of books, and anything else that you think would make the space more homely and comfortable.

As with a lot of spare rooms, they end up as dumping grounds for spare clothes and other items. Take the time to pack these clothes away properly, tidy the shelves and maybe even invest in some new storage.

With a little bit of effort and some spells of work, these ten tasks will make an enormous difference to how well your home handles the cold winter months. Not only will you protect your property and prolong the life of your outdoor features, but you’ll also create a safer, warmer, and more welcoming space inside and out.

If you need help weatherproofing your shed, replacing fencing, insulating your loft, or installing new lighting, use www.MyJobQuote.co.uk to find trusted, local professionals. Get free quotes from experienced tradespeople in your area and tick off your autumn to-do list without the stress.

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