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11-07-2022, 06:06 PM | #1 |
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Things that you do around the house so you don't have to call an expert.
The dryer stopped working yesterday afternoon, so the wife asked me if I was going to call someone to fix it. Me, being the MacGyver that I am, I told her that I would look at it tomorrow.
The last time I called someone because the washing machine stopped working, it cost me $350.00, and I had to buy a new washer and dryer not even a year later. The dryer is only 4 years old and it was already repaired under warranty once. At that time even the repair guy said that they don't make them like they used to. It needed a thermal fuse that was $9.35, but I need a female disconnect, okay no problem. The smallest box that they had was 100pcs. for $15.25 I'm giving away female disconnects for Christmas |
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11-07-2022, 06:15 PM | #2 |
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I literally do it all, heck needed septic work and rented an excavator and got it done. The day a contractor steps foot at my house will be a sad day for me. Mind you that I do some of this professionally.
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11-07-2022, 06:33 PM | #3 | |
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I used to operate heavy equipment back in the 90`s. I can do almost everything if I put my mind into it. I just don`t have the patience anymore. Maybe when I`m retired I`ll have more time and the patience will come back . |
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11-07-2022, 06:45 PM | #5 |
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11-07-2022, 06:54 PM | #6 |
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lots of stuff
- fixed ac unit - needed a new flux capacitor or some shit - fixed washer unit - needed new springs lol - installed new dishwasher (messed up the first time though lol) - painted interior - put up some wallpaper (ok job but i suggest leaving it to pros) Could not fix/dont want to - broken cabinet doors where hinge is attached (mdf)- dude redrilled and fixed doors - dont like doing suspension work anymore - paid for that - dont like doing carbon fiber installs anymore - paid |
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Dino GT35063.50 |
11-07-2022, 06:58 PM | #7 |
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Nothing. I hate hardware stores with a passion. Increasingly, I hate doing car stuff too.
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Dino GT35063.50 infinitekidM2C4281.50 |
11-07-2022, 06:58 PM | #8 |
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Okay, this is the OT perspective, so please, take it for what it's worth.
I'm pretty much unqualified to handle, much less operate, tools. I know this from experience that includes rebuilding automobile engines and working as an apprentice carpenter. That work included a number of necessary aptitudes that it was clear I didn't have. Today, I almost always call in the professionals. The issue there is identifying qualified professionals. For that, when I'm someplace new I rely on referrals from family, neighbors, and friends. Capable real estate agents can be good sources, too. My thing is getting the work done right, getting it done right the first time with no call-backs required, and hearing what changes/upgrades I can make so that my home is less susceptible to the need for future calls. Qualified professionals (my definition) always offer that service. They do it willingly and, frequently, unsolicited. We un-handy people need that level of professional service!
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11-07-2022, 07:13 PM | #9 |
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Jeepers. I don't know where to begin.
I was fortunate enough to inherit my dad's aptitude for mechanical and electronic things. I've rebuilt engines, including a Lycoming engine (and I made the first flight); replaced the cylinder heads on our '91 Exploder; pulled the engine out of our 1971 Capri twice; replaced the clutch 5 or 6 times: repaired our numerous clothes washers and dryers; installed our irrigation systems; repaired our TV's; replaced garbage disposals; repaired power tools; and on and on. I saved us a butt-load of money over the decades. I don't pull my own teeth or do fillings, however.
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11-07-2022, 08:03 PM | #10 |
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Electronics background but self taught cars, framing, electrical, plumbing, hvac (except brazing), tile work, trim carpentry, woodworking, appliances, TVs, bicycles, house building, remodeling and computer repair. Had to pay for a helical pier installation recently. Granite and glass shower doors not my thing. Probably won't do anything major to the X5, just getting tired of backaches. Grew up with a basement of tools and early car repairs were out of necessity.
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11-07-2022, 09:28 PM | #11 |
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My wife has always said "I can fix anything... except a broken heart". We've since added microwaves to the list
That said, time is my kryptonite. for me to give up a saturday, I need to save $1500-2000 by doing it myself. We just bought a new house and I had a "handyman" come in for a couple jobs. He spent 7 hours and my all in was $400. parts and material were around $100. so for $300 I didn't have to make 2 trips to homedepot, I didnt have to do stuff 3 nights after work... or all say on the weekend. It was nothing I couldn't do myself and end result would have been just as good Best $400 I've spend in years |
11-07-2022, 11:52 PM | #12 |
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I'll do anything and everything, but I draw the line at doing my own carpet install.
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11-08-2022, 07:29 AM | #13 |
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11-08-2022, 08:02 AM | #14 |
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Where to start...
Replaced HVAC in my house, remodeled master bath including tile work, whole house floors and doors, interior paint, all electrical jobs including meter socket (on hot) and main panel, kitchen install, dishwasher repair. Converted Sprinter van into camper. I don't work on my cars, but can do minor stuff like brakes and oil. No need to dot it myself - my son got a repair shop. A lot of customers with European cars. |
11-08-2022, 08:15 AM | #15 |
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I'll do everything unless it's something that needs to be done through insurance.
Although I do need to replace the central air this coming spring and I'll probably have someone come do that. That's one I just don't want to deal with. I do all my own car stuff unless its under warranty or requires a dealer (specialized tools, software, etc) which is not very often. My X5 will likely never see the dealer again since its tuned.
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11-08-2022, 09:15 AM | #16 | |
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Anything that appears easy and or is not something vital that I cannot be without if I fuck it up I try to do myself. |
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11-08-2022, 09:52 AM | #17 | |
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I don't mind electrical or plumbing, but painting is just not for me. I had to paint the 4 pillars in front of the house last summer and that was an all day job 🙃 I need to paint the baseboards in the kitchen and front entrance and I've been putting it off all summer. |
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11-08-2022, 10:09 PM | #18 |
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I do 95% of the work at home by myself, mostly small stuff like unclog drains, appliance repairs/adjustments etc.If it's a matter of "fixing" I have no problem at least attempting it, unless it's gas or high voltage electric line, but that's out of concern for personal safety. Plumbing is really dependent on what it is as I've seen what water damage can do in a seemingly short amount of time, and I'll gladly pay a few hundred to not be covered in literal shit.
I also repaired drywall back in college but that was because my idiot roommate had too much to drink. Ultimately he paid me less than what we each would've had to pay in fines, and I made an easy $200 in a few hours. Obviously not high quality work but was enough to not get a hefty fine when moving out However when it comes to cars I'm useless. Growing up we had a garage but my dad was so far removed from fixing things we had a very simple set of tools at home, plus he'd always take the cars to the dealer. I have a good understanding of how stuff works in a car, but hands-on experience is limited to changing filters and small pieces like the blend door for the AC recirculation. The one time I tried changing my own oil on my old car I couldn't undo the drain plug, and a friend drove across town with tools when I asked him if I should borrow an impact from work to undo the plug. If I had the space I'd probably buy the tools and learn as I go as it's something I want to learn |
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11-08-2022, 10:20 PM | #19 |
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I do lots myself. In some cases it depends on the quote, if I think the rate is too high, then I do it myself.
one example, some yard work that was quoted as exploratory work, then figure the rest out. It was cheaper for me to buy a tractor and do most of it myself way covered the tractor cost. That said, some real manual labor stuff, I do hire out. That's back vs money... On cars, mostly myself. I have a frame off jeep project in the garage now a bit more involved and nothing almost nothing on it is stock parts. But its taking way to long, parts delays, analysis paralysis... But enjoy it all the same, but have never paid anyone to work on the jeep. The BMW work is limited to basic tasks, opening the engine is the line. So relatively simple bolt on stuff.
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11-08-2022, 10:37 PM | #20 | |
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I do most of it for a living so it’s a little different. So far the only thing I have decided to leave to the pros is mudding and finishing large drywall projects. The time it takes me to get it to my standards, I could build a house.
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11-09-2022, 01:15 AM | #22 |
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I see you have Samsung's. It's a good thing you know how to fix them because you'll be fixing them a lot.
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