shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I've lived in apartments for over thirty years. This is one reason. 
Are you a DIYer when it comes to working on stuff around the home?
- Thread starter nsl
- Start date
Built and remodeled quite a few homes over the years and did extensive work on my own houses.Im so over it [emoji12][emoji1]
Absolutely - I fix whatever I can and save a ton of money too!
Here's a true short story. I had an AC guy in here to tuneup my central air and he tells me in the future I need to replace my capacitor and contact switch. He tells me the job will be $300! Found the part numbers on the unit and ordered both parts and installed them myself. It was so easy it was ridiculous. Cost me $25!
My philosophy is if it's already broken or in need of replacing, I can't screw it up anymore. If I can't fix it after trying, then I'll pay a professional to do it.
Here's a true short story. I had an AC guy in here to tuneup my central air and he tells me in the future I need to replace my capacitor and contact switch. He tells me the job will be $300! Found the part numbers on the unit and ordered both parts and installed them myself. It was so easy it was ridiculous. Cost me $25!
My philosophy is if it's already broken or in need of replacing, I can't screw it up anymore. If I can't fix it after trying, then I'll pay a professional to do it.
Same here. That's how I was taught growing up. You didn't pay a dime for anything that you could do yourself.
I can handle the painting and most carpentry, Can't burn down the house by doing any of that wrong. 
Comrad
Member
I do all my own work. Money saved allows the purchase of quality tools and materials. Internet research helps in learning correct installation techniques. I am slow but good.
Not if I can help it.
Try to do most of the work myself from flooring, window installation ceramic tile etc. Don't do roof work any more, hate plumbing but can usually muddle through. Hired contractor to do the cabinet installation in the kitchen, they were too expensive to mess up. Did all the demo, electrical, wall moving and plumbing myself. I am getting to an age where there may be more contractors in my future.
Yep! There is one handyman whom I like and we changed the last water heater as a team. Now that I am over 70, ladders are not my thing. But, otherwise, it seems harder to arrange to have the work done than to do it myself.
Admittedly, our current, one story, house is only about 12 years old. Other than that water heater, painting the exterior, replacing all of the cheap bathroom lighting fixtures, and installing a few replacement switches and an extra outlet, there has not been much work necessary.
Admittedly, our current, one story, house is only about 12 years old. Other than that water heater, painting the exterior, replacing all of the cheap bathroom lighting fixtures, and installing a few replacement switches and an extra outlet, there has not been much work necessary.
twodog max
Member
Some things yes others a big no. I am the worlds worst carpenter. I don't do electrical or plumbing learned both these the hard way. Paint and concrete OK and I cut, split and stack all our firewood. Power washing siding and stuff that is hard to screw up.
A man has to know his limitations.
A man has to know his limitations.
Mostly DIY. I've installed tile, vinyl, and hardwood flooring. I do most of my plumbing and a/c repairs, a bit of light electrical, most appliance repairs, and moderate carpentry. My finish carpentry is pretty good. I put up shelving and extra rods in our walk in closets after the builder installed rod crashed to the floor one night. I thought some one was burglarizing us it made so much noise. It turned out it was attached only to sheet rock by finish nails. I'm amazed it held up as long as it did. What I replaced it with is not going to come crashing down, and it will take a bit of work to remove it intentionally. I do tend to overbuild things. I've repaired/patched roof shingles, but I've not installed an entire roof. Some things I just don't have the time for.
I grew up watching and helping my Dad build horse pens, barns, and remodel things around the house. Don't know squat about cars, though. I can change oil and filter and tires, but that's about it. Used to be able to do tuneups and other minor work back before everything became electronic and when there was lots of room in engine bays. Now you have to tear the darn thing apart just to find the spark plugs. No thanks.
Oh yeah, I forgot about removing and replacing cabinetry and countertops as well . . .
I grew up watching and helping my Dad build horse pens, barns, and remodel things around the house. Don't know squat about cars, though. I can change oil and filter and tires, but that's about it. Used to be able to do tuneups and other minor work back before everything became electronic and when there was lots of room in engine bays. Now you have to tear the darn thing apart just to find the spark plugs. No thanks.
Oh yeah, I forgot about removing and replacing cabinetry and countertops as well . . .
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Huskerguy
Member
The first house we owned needed a new tub surround. Asked around and hired a guy highly recommended. I was probably 21 and grew up without a dad so I was never around that kind of stuff. The guy did a terrible job and my wife said no matter how bad we were it would look better than most of these guys we hire. I was a body many in my early years so detailed work is in my blood. I have done a lot of plumbing replacing both drain and supply in three houses. Three complete bathrooms, sanded and repaired wood floors, tons of sheet rock finishing I am proud of, tile, setting heating and ac, duct work, framing, enlarge rooms, windows, doors, electrical although that is my weak area and most everything in between. I cant imagine how much money we have saved. My wife helped in every project. I am completly redoing my basement right now including jack hammering some concrete, replacing some main drain, pour a built in shower. I hate cars though, would rather pay someone.
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straightshooter1
US Veteran
Well, the truth is that I have never been very handy at home repairs so I generally hire someone to do them. 
We have a very large master bath/shower and it needed retiled/refurb'd so I hired two guys who did a beautiful job.
The exterior and a bit of the interior needed painting and, again, I hired a pro who did a great job.
BUT I AM TIRED OF THAT AND I AM GONNA DO IT MYSELF-Yessir-I have project for tomorrow that I am gonna do completely on my own.
I'm gonna get out all my tools, arrange them so they are close at hand and do it.
What, you ask, is this major renovation? I am, all by myself, going to change the toilet seat in the master bath from a regular one to one of those that closes by itself, noiselessly!
Stand by for a beautiful job!
Bob
We have a very large master bath/shower and it needed retiled/refurb'd so I hired two guys who did a beautiful job.
The exterior and a bit of the interior needed painting and, again, I hired a pro who did a great job.
BUT I AM TIRED OF THAT AND I AM GONNA DO IT MYSELF-Yessir-I have project for tomorrow that I am gonna do completely on my own.
I'm gonna get out all my tools, arrange them so they are close at hand and do it.
What, you ask, is this major renovation? I am, all by myself, going to change the toilet seat in the master bath from a regular one to one of those that closes by itself, noiselessly!
Stand by for a beautiful job!
Bob
Frank46
US Veteran
Brickwork, pouring cement for base on new chimney, some electrical work,minor plumbing,some wood work, painting I hate but still will do it. drivr a tractor, pickup tree branches and have fun burning them, motor oil changes after they went all electronic no more carbruators, Still have a large rollaround tool chest, more power tools than you can shake a cat at used to have a 10'x30' truck garden corn,bush beans, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, radish. And using the rototiller. Frank
brigeton
Member
I did machine repair for a living so I'm good at mechanical but I'm sick of doing it. I don't do very much auto repair anymore. I'm so so as a carpenter. I redid the walls in the pool (billiard) room last year with laminate flooring and it looks pretty nice. Now my wife has me working on the kitchen walls, priming & dry walling. I hate it but I'll get it done before the weather gets nicer.
Living in an apartment doesn't give much opportunity to do handyman stuff, so not much of a skill set there. I do wish I knew more about working on cars. The new cars have reached the point where old ones appeal to me more.
I do reload my ammo though.
I do reload my ammo though.
chaparrito
Member
I'm more of a SIUY-er.
Screw it up yourself-er.
Screw it up yourself-er.
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Long time gear head here. Working on the cars of today you have to be more of a electronic tech/repair person as apposed to the old days when you were just a wrench.
ChattanoogaPhil
Member
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Ain't that the truth.
When I was younger I'd take the engine out of a VW, rebuild the top end, and along with a case of beer had the thing running by the next morning. Today, when I open the hood on my Tundra I'm lucky to find the battery. In my tool box I've got 40 year old timing lights and dwell meters... amazing how those are never lost but I can't find a tape measure this morning.
