Have you given up on DIY?

[rodi]

DH (71) is getting to the end of his handy phase... but is in denial. He is outsourcing some of the 'pure labor' to younger son when he's home on school breaks - so we're hiring out that part (we pay him). Currently DH is on a ladder to reach some 2nd floor drain pipes while younger son is in the backyard cutting concrete. Part of a plan of using shower/tub graywater to water the lawn. (City finally changed the code to allow this). The concrete cutting is across our patio to the area we'll be watering. Earlier this summer they removed the old flammable siding and replaced it with hardee board. Younger son doing the grunt labor of demo and screwing boards on, while hubby cut the pieces.

 

[Affinity4Investing]

Yep, motorcycles are a no-go. Got a new license this year and dropped the M endorsement. Would never think of riding a motorcycle on the roads today unless I was in Ruralville, USA. It's bad enough dealing with ppl on 4 wheels and much more protection from road rash.

 

[JoeWras]

Yep, motorcycles are a no-go. Got a new license this year and dropped the M endorsement. Would never think of riding a motorcycle on the roads today unless I was in Ruralville, USA. It's bad enough dealing with ppl on 4 wheels and much more protection from road rash.

The big difference between ladders and motorcycles is that with ladders, you usually have near 100% control of your situation. With motorcycles, you don't. You are one idiot's lane change away from wiping out. People can't seem to see motorcycles, or worse yet, just ignore them. I have a few friends who had left-turners just cut right in front of them, as if they were invisible. Both had broken femurs for starts (a very serious injury) and more beyond that.

Other people can still mess with your ladder. In some situations, I put up a "crime tape/caution tape" to keep them honest. Otherwise, most of the situations are self inflicted, like the video I posted previous which has:
1) Ladder at too of severe an angle
2) Ladder on slick surface
3) Ladder feet without stops (either dig into dirt, or have mechanical back stops)
4) Ladder not on firm surface, but rather table
5) Ladder on table, which is on another table. WTF?

 

[MC Rider]

I will DIY, Do It Yourself, until I feel like it might mean I DYI, Do Yourself In.


For things I am comfortable with and feel reasonably confident in getting done safely.

 

[Palmtree]

I'm 63 and still do 95% of the DIY stuff around here. Everything from yard work to fixing appliances to major remodeling. Most things I enjoy figuring out and fixing. Heck, I watch YouTube videos of other people fixing things just to learn more. Still, I do see a sea change coming. I no longer want to do oil changes on the vehicles. Takes too long and I have to make a special trip just to get the old oil recycled. The big pivot this year was our fence. It's a wooden privacy fence that's 275 feet long and it was in dire need of replacement. I told my wife, I was going to tackle the job and do it in sections over the summer. She looked at me and asked "Do you want to waste our entire summer working on that?" Point taken. I paid to have it done. Did they do it as well as I would? Close but no. I had to call them back on a few issues but they resolved it quickly. Did it hurt my pride? Just a bit but I'm having a fun summer and I don't miss the $$ at all.

 

[Out of Steam]

I guess I haven't been able to establish a long term relationship with other contractors because I've always do it myself.

I've generally been in the same situation. The only regular contractor we have in our current house is the plumbing and heating company, a mid-sized firm recommended by neighbors.

We could use an electrician to add lighting in the family room and kitchen.

 

[CincyDave]

It is a generic contrast comment for those paying 20k fees on their 2m portfolio.

Interesting point. With the money I've saved from never having a financial advisor I should hire out everything. As others have stated though, unless you have had past dealings with a contractor or someone you know recommends them you never know what you're getting. I do like all the you tube videos that show you how to do something you otherwise wouldn't have a clue about.

 

[JoeWras]

The big pivot this year was our fence. It's a wooden privacy fence that's 275 feet long and it was in dire need of replacement. I told my wife, I was going to tackle the job and do it in sections over the summer. She looked at me and asked "Do you want to waste our entire summer working on that?" Point taken. I paid to have it done. Did they do it as well as I would? Close but no. I had to call them back on a few issues but they resolved it quickly. Did it hurt my pride? Just a bit but I'm having a fun summer and I don't miss the $$ at all.

I replaced 40 linear feet of wooden privacy fence this summer and it was a slog. I'm starting to feel that sea change coming that you mention.

 

[harley]

I have trust issues, which is the main reason I go with DIY. I just do not trust the typical worker to do a good job these days. I know if I do it myself it will be done correctly, even if a lot slower. I do realize now though that I won't save a lot of money.

This ^^

I have hired out a lot of jobs I used to do myself, and almost never find anyone who can do the job right. And there's nothing less pleasant than having someone (me) standing over your shoulder making sure you know what you're doing. I do hire out jobs I don't think I can do myself, but I'll watch the work being done, both to make sure it's done well, and also so that I can do it myself the next time. I will also hire out some jobs that will cost me less than I think my time is worth. I've found most jobs can be done by me if I have the right tools, or can rent them. It's hard for me to admit I can't do some things anymore, but I'm trying to get over that.

As far as ladders go, I'm pretty good up to about 12' or so. A frame ladders, mostly. I don't particularly like leaning a ladder against a wall or whatever. Too much chance of slippage.

 

[JoeWras]

This ^^

I have hired out a lot of jobs I used to do myself, and almost never find anyone who can do the job right. And there's nothing less pleasant than having someone (me) standing over your shoulder making sure you know what you're doing. I do hire out jobs I don't think I can do myself, but I'll watch the work being done, both to make sure it's done well, and also so that I can do it myself the next time. I will also hire out some jobs that will cost me less than I think my time is worth. I've found most jobs can be done by me if I have the right tools, or can rent them. It's hard for me to admit I can't do some things anymore, but I'm trying to get over that.

As far as ladders go, I'm pretty good up to about 12' or so. A frame ladders, mostly. I don't particularly like leaning a ladder against a wall or whatever. Too much chance of slippage.

It is hard not to hover. I do my best not to. The first time I had my HVAC done in 1999, I drove the guys nuts. When they re-did one of two units in 2021, I let them be. I was pleasantly surprised by their work. So many times I am not happy.

When I had concrete work done last year, I had to bug them about some organic matter (roots) and the guy was struggling so I asked if I could help and he said yes. I spent a few minutes hacking away with an axe. I don't think they were pleased, but it is my driveway. I also had to complain a bit about the forms, which they adjusted to my liking.

I read construction forums on reddit and construction people constantly bitterly complain about owners hovering. But seriously folks, you are asking us to spend 10s of thousands of dollars and you just want us to be invisible? Nope.

Ladders: Habitat For Humanity has a very strict rule that A-frame ladders must be open and not leaning.

 

[Kings over Queens]

My wife just handed me the broken chain from the ceiling fan in our bedroom (vaulted ceiling) and got the side eye from me. Fine! Then I hear her ask one of our sons (the short one) to get the ladder out of the attic so that our other son (the tall one) can make the connection.

I will have to replace a cartridge from the hot side of our master bath faucet, but only because I've ignored it long enough that it's leaking. Needless to say, I'm not happy about it.

 

[Tadpole]

Help! My yard man was trying to clean up a section of my yard and could not remove all of the weed barrier material put down years ago. Weeds were growing through and on top. He pulled as much up as he could but had to leave a great deal of it. Is there a procedure that is used to ease the removal of this stuff?

 

[Walt34]

I'm still doing some stuff but hiring out others. A few years ago for the first time in my life I hired house painters for some interior and exterior painting. Both of them involved using ladders to 2nd floor heights and I am done with that. Although later I did paint the master bedroom, bathroom, closet, downstairs family room, and bathroom. But those were all on one level, no ladders, or at least only stepladders. If not pressed for time I actually like painting, which is a change from pre-retirement. Although my now leisurely pace sometimes frustrates DW. She just doesn't understand that fine painting cannot be rushed.

For a couple of years after having two stents in my heart I hired out lawn mowing, but when the doc not only cleared me for exercise but encouraged it I went back to mowing myself.

I'm done crawling around underneath cars. I'll add a quart of oil or windshield washer fluid if it needs it but that's about it.

 

[JoeWras]

Help! My yard man was trying to clean up a section of my yard and could not remove all of the weed barrier material put down years ago. Weeds were growing through and on top. He pulled as much up as he could but had to leave a great deal of it. Is there a procedure that is used to ease the removal of this stuff?

Without disruption? No.

Otherwise, box scrape will do the trick. And it will take out everything else.

This is a cautionary tale to anyone considering weed barriers. Don't do it, unless it is confined to a small, easily removable area, like a framed in vegetable planting bed. If you plant bushes through it, some day you will want to cry.

 

[dixonge]

I just bought a set of filters for our under-sink filtration system. I saved $22.45 by not buying it from the original installer. That $22.45 would have also included installation costs.

I may be kinda stupid. LOL

On the other hand, I get to do something 'useful' and become more intimately familiar with the system and how it works/fits together. We'll see how it goes.

New filters in place, all is well. I experienced two main issues doing this myself. First, I reconnected a couple of pieces of tubing backwards. Once I figured this out, the fix was quick. Second, one part had a leak from a threaded connector. As it turns out, while I had added some teflon tape, it wasn't enough. Second batch of tape did the job. Water now tastes better.

The original seller and installer of this unit was having me wait 18 months before changing the filter. I have since learned that most of these filters should be swapped at 6-12 months, and the Reverse Osmosis membrane every 3-5 years. Two of the three large filter housings were coated in some slimy stuff, so obviously went too long.

So, another reason to DIY.

 

[Tadpole]

Without disruption? No.

Otherwise, box scrape will do the trick. And it will take out everything else.

This is a cautionary tale to anyone considering weed barriers. Don't do it, unless it is confined to a small, easily removable area, like a framed in vegetable planting bed. If you plant bushes through it, some day you will want to cry.

LOL, don't think I can fit a box scraper in between the bushes. And, yes, the area he gave up on has bushes. Thanks.

 

[JoeWras]

LOL, don't think I can fit a box scraper in between the bushes. And, yes, the area he gave up on has bushes. Thanks.

Yeah, the roots just intertwine and make it so difficult.

I've tried to cut it with utility knives, then rake, but it was still so hard.

Wish I had better ideas.

 

[Out of Steam]

My wife just handed me the broken chain from the ceiling fan in our bedroom (vaulted ceiling) and got the side eye from me.

I had this happen a couple of months ago, with the light side of the fan in our bedroom, and pulled just the light down. It wasn't hard to splice in a new pull switch with Wago connectors. Since it's a bit noisy, I decided a while back that I would replace the fan if I had to pull the whole thing down.

Only high ceiling at our house is the screened patio.

 

[Out of Steam]

I've noted here before that I don't want to stay in our single-family house beyond my ability to do most work myself. My wife will go along willingly.

Though I have no issue with hiring out mowing the lawn, mostly to make travel easier right now. Might do it as soon as next year.

 

[JoeWras]

It is going to be tough for me to realize this transition.

Right now I'm helping people 20 years older than me fix their neglected homes. It is only 20 years. When will I become one of them?

I need to set a calendar reminder to 2033 saying: "Joe, stop the nonsense and move."

 

[frayne]

I'm in my early 70's and still prefer to do it myself, but in the last few years, I have begun selectively farming out some projects. I expect that will happen more often as time marches on.

Ditto

 

[Affinity4Investing]

Yeah, the roots just intertwine and make it so difficult.

I've tried to cut it with utility knives, then rake, but it was still so hard.

Wish I had better ideas.

My weed barrier has something written on the side of it. It says "Roundup". Landscaping 'fabric' was invented by someone who never had to pull any of it up. I'm convinced of it.

 

[JoeWras]

Landscape fabric was a fad. You find very few fans of it today except for very specific applications.

 

[frayne]

Just spent about 45 minutes replacing the bottom heating element in my oven. Cost was about $25 for the element. Probably saved myself $100 or more.

 

[Dash man]

When my back started acting up 17 years ago, I knew I’d have to start paying people to do more soon. About ten years ago I completely surrendered except for simple tasks. Now it’s not only my back, but arthritis in my hands and neck, balance issues and tremors. Fortunately my son lives nearby and can help with some things. But we have regular landscapers, plumbers, electricians and HVAC guys now. Will be looking for painters soon. It’s just part of our spending now. Blessed to have enough to pay others to help.