There's this really nice older gentleman I call who can fix anything. He will tell me when something doesn't need done or does. He will tell me if I am being ripped off or not. He helped me pick out a front door. He's very sweet and I want to adopt him as my grandpa.
@magic_cave sorry. That would be a bit of a commute for him. I would think Florida would be awash w/ retired builders and such that would want to pick up a little of this or that to keep active.
I can do a lot of basic stuff, but hubby is remodeling the basement himself.
We had very inept previous owners who "finished" the basement. Except, they didn't do any mudding/taping, and after tearing down walls and such we realized just how bad it was!
@ceagee My dad helped a few of his brothers build houses, and did a lot of work on our house. I know a lot of things about building, just never took the time to learn how to do it!
Almost everything, with the caveat that time has been the biggest issue. Replacing a termite eaten support column and the leaking underground water main (polybutylene) have been the biggest tasks so far.
Ummmm ... too much/everything! I've worked in all aspects of construction from the age of 12+ (family biz - so it's not child labor, right!??!) all the way through completing my art/film undergrad. Then, again while supporting my filmmaker aspirations post-university. And back to a construction life while I completed my Pre-Med reqs and a Master of Science in IT - because I decided that art/film wasn't a lifestyle that supported/worked for me anymore. Somewhere along the way, I somehow became a renaissance man / Jack-of-all-trades, master of many (as opposed to "none"). Now I sit in front a row of computer screens and watch as my once construction-ready, athletic build is disappearing behind a small layer of sugar-based foods :)
Here's a before and after of one of my very recent weekend house remodel projects on a "short sale" I bought to live in:
I do as much as I can, which mostly boils down to painting, light plumbing, light electrical. That said, I challenged myself and did a full room remodel two summers ago.
No before pix on hand, but here's the result. Stripped wallpaper, repainted, tore up rugs and installed hardwood flooring. We love this room now.
I live in my motorhome in a WalMart parking lot. I only fix things when WM has them on sale. Things that are on sale to fix my motorhome with, not parking lots.
i just changed the garbage disposal. i'll admit, i'm the handiest of guys (unless you're talking computers), so i'm pretty damned proud of myself. not a single leak! (that i can see)
I don't have something as luxurious and extravagant as an entire house.
Some stuff just doesn't get done.
@KDemo
I wake up each Sat thinking "What can I ignore today?"
@f00l I will do the same on Monday.
@KDemo I have a list of outside stuff that just didn't get done this summer. I may leave it for next summer...
There's this really nice older gentleman I call who can fix anything. He will tell me when something doesn't need done or does. He will tell me if I am being ripped off or not. He helped me pick out a front door. He's very sweet and I want to adopt him as my grandpa.
@ceagee I don't suppose he lives in Northeast Florida, hmm?
@magic_cave sorry. That would be a bit of a commute for him.
I would think Florida would be awash w/ retired builders and such that would want to pick up a little of this or that to keep active.
Why else do we work?
The owner doesn't give a fuck about upkeep so I don't see why I should.
I've fixed everything in my house that fails myself so far. There are some other... Issue spots that I just ignore and hope will get fixed on its own.
Like, I'm tired of throwing my time and money at my damn lawn.
Not enough according to my ever-increasing honey-do list.
I can do a lot of basic stuff, but hubby is remodeling the basement himself.
We had very inept previous owners who "finished" the basement. Except, they didn't do any mudding/taping, and after tearing down walls and such we realized just how bad it was!
@MrsBeckett I am very impressed that you know what those terms mean. For that you get a star.
@ceagee My dad helped a few of his brothers build houses, and did a lot of work on our house. I know a lot of things about building, just never took the time to learn how to do it!
@MrsBeckett I'm confused. How does one put up walls without mudding or taping? I'm picturing sheets of drywall just stuck onto beams and left...?
@Kleineleh They screwed the drywall up, and painted. I wish I was exaggerating, but we could see the heads of Phillips screws!
@MrsBeckett Ha! Might as well just wallpaper over the studs! I really despise half-assed work.
Of course, I'm currently procrastinating some drywall repairs of my own because I don't want to mess with the mud...
Does "light maintenance" mean changing out the bulbs?
My wife won't let me on a ladder (I seem to have lost my normal equilibrium). I might try to sneak this up myself or ask someone to help.
@tdmckeesr Your wife sounds smart, you on the other hand...... s tay off the ladder !!
Almost everything, with the caveat that time has been the biggest issue. Replacing a termite eaten support column and the leaking underground water main (polybutylene) have been the biggest tasks so far.
Ummmm ... too much/everything! I've worked in all aspects of construction from the age of 12+ (family biz - so it's not child labor, right!??!) all the way through completing my art/film undergrad. Then, again while supporting my filmmaker aspirations post-university. And back to a construction life while I completed my Pre-Med reqs and a Master of Science in IT - because I decided that art/film wasn't a lifestyle that supported/worked for me anymore. Somewhere along the way, I somehow became a renaissance man / Jack-of-all-trades, master of many (as opposed to "none"). Now I sit in front a row of computer screens and watch as my once construction-ready, athletic build is disappearing behind a small layer of sugar-based foods :)
Here's a before and after of one of my very recent weekend house remodel projects on a "short sale" I bought to live in:
I would do more, but the landlord has some weird hangup about 'things getting done right.'
@brhfl I wish mine did!
I do as much as I can, which mostly boils down to painting, light plumbing, light electrical. That said, I challenged myself and did a full room remodel two summers ago.
No before pix on hand, but here's the result. Stripped wallpaper, repainted, tore up rugs and installed hardwood flooring. We love this room now.
I live in my motorhome in a WalMart parking lot. I only fix things when WM has them on sale. Things that are on sale to fix my motorhome with, not parking lots.
i just changed the garbage disposal. i'll admit, i'm the handiest of guys (unless you're talking computers), so i'm pretty damned proud of myself. not a single leak! (that i can see)