Are you a DIYer when it comes to working on stuff around the home?

[nsl]

Really wish I had the know how on doing things PROPERLY when it comes to renovations and stuff, but if I were to tackle most things that need done it would be a nightmare.
I stressed properly because most work I see done by others is usually a laughable mess.
Anyway, do you do most of your work, or hire a crew?

 

[BearBio]

A mix. This weekend we put slate tile into our entry-way. Last summer I replaced 6 doors and frames, put up wainscoting all through the dining room and foyer. Hired a friend to hang paneling in the kitchen and install cabinets and flooring. I assembled the cabinets. Had him install a bay window and window over the sink. I installed light fixtures and smoke alarms. I did manufactured floors in the basement (not too well).

 

[30-30remchester]

I do everything myself from cutting my own wood for heat, to painting, flooring, concrete work, wiring, insulation, auto repair and maintenance and snow plowing to name just a few. This spring the garage roof gets new shingles and I might hire a helper for that.

 

[Arik]

Some things yes. I'll do my own drywall, painting, flooring. Water and electrical I'll leave to professionals

 

[NYlakesider]

I used to. From a young age I liked working with my hands, started playing with cars at 12.(now 70) Worked as a construction pipefitter/welder so I got a chance to learn a lot of things.

That was then, now is now. Do to medical reasons its hard to work off a ladder or on a roof. Bad knees so getting down to work close to floor or ground is also hard. I still run a chainsaw a lot, that does not give me a problem either cutting down or bucking! Mowing leaf blowing hand raking not a problem. Do limited snow shoveling, let my plow truck or tractor do most of that stuff!

Saved a lot of money over the years by doing just about anything the house/ car/truck/boat needed doing. Now Im spending the money and hiring out most all work. Its definitely much easier that way. Still do my own gun work; its light/small and most anything needing doing I sit on a chair and work off a large work bench.

 

[perryhd]

I have always done my own work. When we built the house we are still living in 40 yrs. ago I hired a crew to dry it in and I finished it from there. My problem now is I have the know how and the skills but my body will not allow me to do a lot of what I would like to do. I'm going to have to start hiring some stuff out. The problem is finding some one I trust to do the work and not try to rip me off. Another one of the joys of old age.

 

[arjay]

The women in my family hate me because I mostly refuse to do honey-dos,it's too painful.I stayed in the biz too long.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Trim work, paint, garage door motor, toilets, minor deck repairs.... stuff like that. But for most things it's quicker, less painful and ultimately cheaper to hire guys to do the work. And my days of getting up high for gutter cleaning or down on my knees for flooring have long ago passed

 

[deadin]

I used to be. There wasn't much I couldn't do if I put my mind to it. Unfortunately anymore I don't climb ladders beyond the second step, If I get down on the floor I have a hard time getting back up. Crawling in or under things are completely out. So if it isn't at table height, I'm pretty much useless....

 

[gman51]

^^^^^^^^^I am getting that way. I framed and built a lot of my house 25 years ago and I sure couldn't do it now. I don't even like changing the oil on my car now but still do that at least.

 

[MT Stringer]

Bad knees! UGH. I have done a lot in the past but these days, I like to build whatever will fit on my work table, which is waist high.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I can still do most repairs.
I hate it when I hire somebody only to realize that I can do it better than them and I don't like the way they are doing it!

 

[lrb1200]

Used to handle all repair and maintenance work, from the house to the vehicles, to all the engine equipped stuff in the garage. That was fine.

The "construction" type home projects.........not, I found out early on not my forte.

Twenty trips back and forth to home depot, buying material
that I didn't have or screwed up, accumulating tools I'm probably never going to use again, spending an inordinate amount of
my time (because I'm in learn as you go mode), and at the end of the day.......when it's done, it looks like I did it.

Nope, pay the guy that does it everyday.

 

[deadin]

accumulating tools I'm probably never going to use again,

Boy does that sound familiar. I've got a few I have never used, even once...
Anybody need a biscuit cutter or a mortising bit set for a drill press? I can probably come up with a few more. Or something I used once and it didn't come up to expectations so I went out and bought something different. Example; bought an abrasive chop saw to cut stock for my metal lathe/mill. Found that it didn't work very well on larger pieces of steel stock. Ended up with a metal cutting band saw.
And so on...........

 

[DWFAN]

I will try anything once. The first time I will follow the directions. The second time not so much. The only thing I do not do well is plumbing. I always get everything to hot. I will also admit that I should not be let anywhere close to electricity. I can pretty much do anything else to a fair degree.
My kitchen.










I installed the Formica counter top and granite sink. Sanded and refinished the cabinets. The plaster walls had fake wainscot on the lower half. Had to remove all the glue, repair the walls and block sand the whole room. Took me two months to get the cabinets just right. I did the back splash in subway tile right after these pictures were taken. Re calked and re finished all the windows in the house this past summer. Putting in all new flooring this summer. Busy busy.

DW

 

[Targets Guy]

Mostly I hire folks. I believe in stimulating the local economy as much as possible.

 

[BigCityChief]

I can do my own roofing, siding, electrical work and landscaping. I leave all gunsmithing, finish carpentry, plumbing and septic system work to contractors. A man needs to know his limitations.

 

[Resqu2]

Plumbing and electrical are fun but I really wish I knew how to finish drywall. It seems like you can do it right or you can't. No in between like on some stuff.

 

[arjay]

Plumbing and electrical are fun but I really wish I knew how to finish drywall. It seems like you can do it right or you can't. No in between like on some stuff.

It's just a matter of practice and maybe some sanding [emoji33]

 

[hsmith9491]

Did all my own work. Except roof shingles. Built two homes. Hand nailed every stud, installed electric service, plumbing, all bathrooms from rough in to finish. Hung kitchen cabinets and finished floors. All exterior siding and doors. Me and my wife did it all. Since I retired we sold everything and moved into townhouse. The only thing I do now is take the trash out. If we need something done we call the office. They even will hang a picture if needed. I love it.