Local Services in Exeter: A Directory Guide

Exeter is a town in Rockingham County on New Hampshire's Seacoast, with a population of 16,049 at the 2020 census. It sits where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott River, and it is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, a college-preparatory school established in 1781. Exeter was also the county seat until 1997, when county offices moved to neighboring Brentwood.

Visitors know Exeter for its historic downtown. People who live here know it as a place where you need a reliable mechanic, a good heating and cooling company and someone who can hem a suit. This guide is for them, and for anyone new to town who is building a list of trusted local businesses.

Late May is a practical time to make that list. Furnaces are winding down, air conditioners are about to start, cars need a post-winter check, and bikes are coming out of the garage. Below are seven Exeter businesses organized by the kind of help you need.

Heating and cooling

East Coast Heating & Air Conditioning

East Coast Heating & Air Conditioning, also known as East Coast HVAC, is a family owned company that says it has served homeowners in the greater Seacoast area of New Hampshire and southern Maine since 1986. It handles sales, service and installation of heating and air conditioning, including Mitsubishi Electric ductless systems.

Its heating work covers furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and hot water heaters, and its cooling work covers central air conditioning and ductless mini-splits, both repair and installation. It also offers preventative maintenance plans, indoor air quality systems, smart thermostats and electrical services, and it lists commercial HVAC installations and emergency service.

Why May matters: This is the month to have your air conditioning checked before the first hot week, when everyone calls at once. If you heat with a heat pump or ductless system, the same equipment does your cooling, so one service visit covers both.

Auto repair and maintenance

Exeter has several independent auto shops, each with a different strength. Here is how they compare.

Exeter Auto Clinic

Exeter Auto Clinic offers complete foreign and domestic auto repair in Exeter, from diagnostics and brakes to oil changes, tires and engine work. It services all makes and describes its approach as complete repair and maintenance under one roof. It is a good choice when a warning light comes on and you want a shop that can diagnose the problem and fix it.

Express Oil Change

Express Oil Change is a family owned shop on Epping Road. It handles oil changes with no appointment needed, and says most oil changes take about 15 minutes. It also does brakes, tires, suspension and check-engine light diagnosis. The shop says it does not upsell and will tell you what your car needs and what can wait, which is what most people want from a quick-service shop.

Graham Tire & Auto

Graham Tire & Auto has served drivers since it opened in 1998. The shop is at 1 Alumni Drive in Exeter, right next to Exeter Hospital, which makes it easy to find. It sells tires for cars, trucks and SUVs and offers state inspection, alignments, brakes and other repairs. It also describes itself as a leading provider of commercial truck tire service on the Seacoast, handling fleet maintenance for business vehicles.

Why May matters: If you run snow tires, now is the time to swap them for your all-season or summer set. Winter tires wear quickly on warm pavement. An alignment check after a season of potholes is also worth doing.

Lemay's Towing & Auto Repair

Lemay's Towing & Auto Repair was established in Exeter in 2020. It offers towing, light roadside service and auto repair, along with forged and custom wheels, tires and custom vehicle accessories. It is worth saving the number in your phone before you need a tow, not after.

Bikes

Exeter Cycles

Exeter Cycles is a bike shop that sells road, gravel, mountain, active and fitness, electric and kids' bikes, along with helmets, lights and apparel. It offers bike service and repair by appointment and professional bike fitting.

Why May matters: A bike that sat in a garage all winter usually needs air in the tires, a chain cleaning and lube, and a brake check. If you are buying a new bike, a fitting can make a big difference in comfort on longer rides.

Tailoring and alterations

The Exeter Tailor

The Exeter Tailor handles alterations, with a focus on formal wear and wedding attire. Its tailors are trained to work with intricate beadwork, lace, tulle and other delicate fabrics that can be challenging to alter well. Wedding season is busy for any tailor, so contact the shop well before your event and ask about its current availability.

How to choose a local service provider

A good directory is a starting point, not the final word. Here are a few steps that help.

1. Read the business's own site. It tells you what services they actually offer, so you do not call an oil-change shop for transmission work.

2. Ask about scheduling. Some shops take walk-ins and some work by appointment. Knowing which saves you a wasted trip.

3. Get a written estimate for bigger jobs. This is standard for HVAC installations and major auto repairs.

4. Ask about service areas. Heating and cooling companies often serve a wide area. Confirm that your address is covered.

5. Keep records. Note the date and work done for each service visit. It helps with warranties and resale.

A spring maintenance checklist for Exeter homes and vehicles

• Air conditioning: schedule a check before the first heat wave.
• Heating system: if your furnace or boiler gave you trouble this winter, have it looked at now rather than in October.
• Water heater: listen for unusual noises and look for leaks.
• Car: swap winter tires, check alignment and brakes, and get an oil change if due.
• Inspection: check when your vehicle's state inspection is due.
• Bike: tune up before your first long ride.
• Clothes: get formal wear altered early if you have a summer wedding.

Exploring Exeter while you are in town

Errands go faster when you can combine them with a walk. Downtown Exeter, near the point where the Exeter River meets the tidal Squamscott, is a pleasant place to grab a coffee while your car is in the shop. The Phillips Exeter Academy campus sits close to downtown and is part of the town's character.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get an oil change without an appointment in Exeter, NH?

Express Oil Change on Epping Road handles oil changes with no appointment needed.

Who services heat pumps and ductless systems near Exeter?

East Coast Heating & Air Conditioning installs and repairs heat pumps and ductless mini-splits, including Mitsubishi Electric systems.

Where can I get new tires in Exeter?

Graham Tire & Auto sells tires for cars, trucks and SUVs, and Lemay's Towing & Auto Repair offers wheels and tires.

Is there a towing company in Exeter?

Lemay's Towing & Auto Repair offers towing and light roadside service.

Where can I get my bike repaired in Exeter?

Exeter Cycles offers bike service and repair by appointment, plus bike fitting.

Sources

• Exeter, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter,_New_Hampshire
• Phillips Exeter Academy, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Exeter_Academy
• East Coast Heating & Air Conditioning: https://eastcoasthvac.com/
• Exeter Auto Clinic: https://exeterautoclinic.com
• Express Oil Change: https://www.expressoilnh.com/
• Graham Tire & Auto: https://grahamtireandauto.com
• Lemay's Towing & Auto Repair: https://lemaystowingandautorepair.com/
• Exeter Cycles: https://www.exetercycles.com/
• The Exeter Tailor: https://www.theexetertailor.com/