How handy around the house do you consider yourself?

[gamecockcat]

My father had a lot of admirable qualities. Being 'handy' around the house was NOT one of them. Beyond tightening a screw here or there or touch up a nick in the paint somewhere, I don't recall him ever trying to fix much of anything himself.

I have no clue how to work on anything to do with a car or small engines - none. But, I'm a pretty decent painter, do some electrical work (new light switches, outlets, install ceiling fans, etc.), can do little repairs on plumbing although it drives me bonkers, replace and adjust sprinkler heads (direction, raise the head, cap off a line, etc.) and dabble in some carpentry (baseboards, built a utilitarian side table, rehang a door, level an entranceway, rebuilt a deck, etc.). When we moved into our house in July last year, I even replaced a brick in the front porch which had cracked and come loose - only time I've fooled with mortar. So, not Bob Vila but not completely clueless.

Having said that, I still make multiple trips to Home Depot/Lowe's as nothing is ever 'standard' and I always pick the wrong size/length the first time. If it's something like changing out the guts of a toilet, I've been buying one of every size and length the first time, knowing I'll take back the majority. But, at least I get the job done quicker. And, it seems I make weekly trips to Home Depot anyway so taking unused stuff back isn't a burden.

 

[august-west]

Sounds about right.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Not very lol. I'm learning as I go. The thing is, I'm sure using a table saw isn't tricky.. but until someone sort of shows you how to use it, you tend to shy away from it (or at least I do)

This would be a good defacto thread for house projects haha.

I have an old 6x6 Rubbermade shed that we inherited with the house, and the crazy wind we've had in the northeast has wrecked the roof and the door. So now I have it jerry-rigged with bungie cords. I'm going to have to replace it soon.

 

[WTF Cat]

Finishing a project around the house is one of the more satisfying feelings I've experienced... not that I'm super handy (I lack the patience to finish stuff, especially when I don't have the right tools).

 

[catsfanbgky]

Change lightbulbs / Air filters / batteries in smoke detectors. That is it, that's the list. Went from owning 3500 square foot house (kids all have left home), just my wife, youngest son, and my dog. So purchased a condo that does yard and all maintenance for this very reason. Not to mention the condo community has 2 dog parks, pool, and work out facility, grill and outdoor bar area with firepit, and playground for my 5,7, 10 and 12 year old grand kids. I live right on Hartland golf course. It is a 1850 square foot 3 bedroom condo that I do not have any worries with maintenance. Have a pool and nice patio I can sit outside and watch guys play golf (when I am not playing), and watch planes land and talk off at BG airport. I love it, very quite, peaceful, and no worries of doing house chores. I even have 2 personal parking spaces right in from of my condo.
Absolutely love (last night's weather was perfect), grab a sixer, walk about 10 steps, sit around the fire pit drinking a few beers and listening to tunes on the ole Spotify play list and taking in the quaint and quite views. Even fired the grill up (charcoal of course), and grilled some Red Snapper and Mahi Mahi. Sat out there until around 9PM, went in and finished up watching the Pacers murk the Bucks.

Off topic -Only bad thing about last nights near perfect evening was I lost my 4 player 10/1 prop. Hit Ant making 10 FG's (14) / Tatum over 45 Fantasy points (65.3 / D. White over 24 P/R/A total (32), and only needed Giannis to get over 54 P/R/A (49). Only 8 first half points and a blow out killed any chance of hitting. He "only" had 28/15/6 (49). He only had like 8/6/3 in the first half. Cost me $200.

 

[Tskware]

Very little, cut grass and trim and a few other things. Found out long ago I screw up more than I fixed. Would rather pay someone to do it right first time than take all day for me to "fix" something half assed. Plus have made way too many multiple trips to Home Depot, not interested in the savings vs aggravation.

 

[cole854]

Take care of the yard, which is enough satisfaction in itself. Looks great and I take pride in it. My painting sucks, and other major "projects" that require tools and insurance are handled by the pro's.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

Anything but electrical. I don't mess with that.

 

[ukalumni00]

I am a jack of all trades but a master of none. Save thousands a year doing everything myself. That said, age is creeping up on my body and there will be a time I need to slow down. Biggest issue is the house we have requires a ton of time with the landscaping. Looks good when done but the amount of work in mulching, trimming, etc. etc. is almost not worth it anymore.

 

[CAT Scratch FVR]

Pretty inept if I'm being honest. At my age though, fortunately, I can pay for the service and save myself the aggravation.

 

[d2atTech]

do most things myself. even counting my time as free, it ends up being more expensive and taking longer (usually lots of mistakes). i do get a lot of satisfaction around doing it though.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Take care of the yard, which is enough satisfaction in itself. Looks great and I take pride in it. My painting sucks, and other major "projects" that require tools and insurance are handled by the pro's.

Maybe out source your post and leave them to the pros. Your post are in line with your painting, guess being articulent is not your strong suit.

 

[Glenn's Take]

Zero. Nada. Zilch. I don't even do the lawn anymore after bypass surgery last year. I ain't dying cutting the ******* grass.

 

[gamecockcat]

Certainly, a professional 'should' do the job better. But, finding that guy who can fix a lot of different things is a challenge. Getting a pro to actually show up is sometimes a challenge. Cost is a factor, for sure, too. I was told a long time ago by a contractor that it's very difficult to screw up something so badly that a pro can't fix it. If I can change the guts of a toilet in 30 minutes for $40 worth of stuff, why pay someone 3X that?

I don't do anything that might endanger my safety. Always know the electricity is off at the breaker, for instance, not just the wall switch. Nothing on the roof, anymore. Don't work on garage door springs.

I'm currently painting the inside of my house. I'm retired so no set schedule. I take my time prepping and taping. Cutting in with a brush then rolling. Materials are the biggest cost. My time is free. Will definitely save a few thousand doing it myself and it's gratifying to have done it myself.

Not a huge fan of yard work but I cut, trim, edge, trim bushes and trees, etc. Just don't love it.

I like doing some of this stuff. My neighbor is overboard, though. Always does things himself but takes on these huge projects that take weeks and weeks and I don't have the patience for that.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Yeah my thought behind some of this is: Sure, I could MAYBE do the work myself, but chances are I'm going to break something, do it wrong, spend more time and money redoing it. With my rental units, finding a good contractor is essential. When I get someone good, who does good work, not too expensive, isn't like day drunk on the job.. I try and use them for everything and anything. Maybe tip them, maybe even just bring them water. But when you find someone who is good at their craft like this, it is truly invaluable.

 

[80 Proof]

I built my house.

(And a few dozen others)

 

[catsfanbgky]

Yeah my thought behind some of this is: Sure, I could MAYBE do the work myself, but chances are I'm going to break something, do it wrong, spend more time and money redoing it. With my rental units, finding a good contractor is essential. When I get someone good, who does good work, not too expensive, isn't like day drunk on the job.. I try and use them for everything and anything. Maybe tip them, maybe even just bring them water. But when you find someone who is good at their craft like this, it is truly invaluable.

The Unicorn of handy men so to speak.

 

[BBCARDS4ME]

Lets just say....I'm the reason places like Jiffy Lube exist!

 

[Bill - Shy Cat]

Certainly, a professional 'should' do the job better. But, finding that guy who can fix a lot of different things is a challenge. Getting a pro to actually show up is sometimes a challenge. Cost is a factor, for sure, too. I was told a long time ago by a contractor that it's very difficult to screw up something so badly that a pro can't fix it. If I can change the guts of a toilet in 30 minutes for $40 worth of stuff, why pay someone 3X that?

I don't do anything that might endanger my safety. Always know the electricity is off at the breaker, for instance, not just the wall switch. Nothing on the roof, anymore. Don't work on garage door springs.

I'm currently painting the inside of my house. I'm retired so no set schedule. I take my time prepping and taping. Cutting in with a brush then rolling. Materials are the biggest cost. My time is free. Will definitely save a few thousand doing it myself and it's gratifying to have done it myself.

Not a huge fan of yard work but I cut, trim, edge, trim bushes and trees, etc. Just don't love it.

I like doing some of this stuff. My neighbor is overboard, though. Always does things himself but takes on these huge projects that take weeks and weeks and I don't have the patience for that.

Another thing in your favor. For instance if you save $4,000 in labor expenses by doing a home project yourself. You are actually saving more than $4,000. You are also saving the federal, state, and local taxes you have to pay to earn the “net” $4,000. If your federal, state, and local taxes were 25%, you’d have to earn $5,333 in order to have $4,000 to pay to have this work done.

 

[GeraldV]

I am beyond inept. Combine that with being lazy, means I do zero around the house.

I have no mechanical or handson knowledge at all. I'm a book nerd, and sort of clever that way, but I never learned to do anything with my hands.

I also pay to have my grass cut and to have a lady come clean the house once a week. So basically I am worthless.

 

[kyboy1998_rivals34276]

I framed, plumbed, installed septic, wired, HVAC duct and equipment, paint, trim, cabinets, flooring (hardwood, tile, carpet), deck etc. on the house I just sold that I lived in the previous 10 years.

I didn’t hang the drywall, do the footings or basement walls or excavate the basement. I used my backhoe and skid steer for ditch and grading needs.

So more handy than I wished I was.

 

[Tskware]

I built my house.

(And a few dozen others)

That is because you are a professional, hell I would hire you and recommend you

 

[8titles_rivals270261]

Can do about anything around a house within reason. Electric pretty much up to the breaker box which I have never had to mess with. Have had to do plumbing from the service line through the house (had a 1950’s house with galvanized lines which were wearing out at the joints. It was a ranch on a full unfinished basement so pretty much re-ran all to PVC with a little help at the service line. Can fix small engines, old motors, etc. Most new engines have been designed for special tools or service manuals. I’m not that concerned with messing with them. I do all my own maintenance on boat, waverunner, cars, diesel truck, etc. and save a **** ton. Son is less than interested in any of it which sucks but it is what it is. I think he will regret it, but I doubt he will, won’t know any better. Learned all of it from my Dad who was a mechanical engineer and born and raised on a farm, so he could pretty much fix anything and made it look easy.

 

[gamecockcat]

True story.

I came home Friday night and my wife says, “The garbage disposal is broken.” It’s making a weak whining sound. I figure something is stuck in it. So I unplug it, take a wooden spoon, try to unclog it, then plug it in hit the reset button. Nothing. I do that about three times, throw the breaker, etc. Nothing. Finally, the reset button won’t even work. I give up.

So, Sunday night my wife tells me she’s hired a guy to come and either repair or replace it. I get aggravated at the expense, and just out of frustration hit the switch. It works perfectly! Repair order canceled. The thing is good as new.

So to answer the OP, I’m a true expert.

Just in case it happens again, the disposal should have come with a metal hexagonic (6-sided) bar that resembles a Z stretched out. Turn off the unit and/or throw the breaker. You should be able to insert the tool into the bottom of the disposal and turn the insides manually. If there's something stuck inside, turning the innards manually should dislodge the obstruction and allow you to clear it out. Easy peasy.

 

[gamecockcat]

Maybe out source your post and leave them to the pros. Your post are in line with your painting, guess being articulent is not your strong suit.

'Articulent'? Really? Perhaps the word 'articulate', meaning well-spoken, was the word you were searching for.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Minimal at best.

I mow and weed eat.

I’ve unclogged a dishwasher and completed a couple other really minor plumbing repairs.

I replaced a few panels n my wood plank fence after recent storm damage.

I will hire a pro in an instant for electrical or major plumbing work or anything that requires going on the roof.

The worst part is, my dad was very handy. He finished our basement himself and turned our 70s deck into a 2000s sunroom with HVAC with the help of one other guy + hiring out the electrical and HVAC. He tried to show teenage me a lot of handy stuff and I was regrettably not interested.

 

[UKGrad93]

I can change a plug in, light switch, light fixture. I've patched drywall, adjusted doors, replaced parts on broken stuff. I used to do all of the mowing/trimming, but I hired that out a few summers ago. My wife and I have painted every room in the house. A lot depends on whether I think I can get someone to show up for a small job or not. Plus, if it involves finish work, I prefer to let someone else handle that (crown moldings, new countertops, etc...).

ETA: You tube is a great source of home repair knowledge.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Maybe out source your post and leave them to the pros. Your post are in line with your painting, guess being articulent is not your strong suit.

Are you freaking serious?

 

[faithful fan]

I can do so things but not like my dad. He built decks, did drywall, some carpentry many years ago. Worked extensively on cars (once took 2 damaged Ford Mavericks and made one). When he needed to learn plumbing he did. Also minor electric work and the list goes on. I can change ceiling fans, plugs, switches and some of the plumbing fixtures if I need to. But I always had him as my backup if things went bad. He's been gone for a few years now and it still hurts not to call him with my latest issue.

 

[drew_ukfan_rivals]

I gotta guy down the road is a whiz with small engines and I’ve picked up some stuff from him but I can never remember what any parts are called. Pretty decent at plumbing, don’t fool with any electric. But I seem to do a decent job at fixing things

I know I could do more than I have if I had the tools necessary, it’s really all about the tools. I am going to be laying a bamboo floating floor in my moms basement soon

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I am beyond inept. Combine that with being lazy, means I do zero around the house.

I have no mechanical or handson knowledge at all. I'm a book nerd, and sort of clever that way, but I never learned to do anything with my hands.

I also pay to have my grass cut and to have a lady come clean the house once a week. So basically I am worthless.

I'm the same, but I do mow my own grass and "clean" the house. If I could afford to pay people to do it I totally would though.

To sum up my attempts at handy work, my son threw a remote down a toilet when he was younger. He did it perfect so I has to lift up the toilet after draining it to get it out. Well that resulted in needing new toilet flange stuff. So I got one of those things with the sticky stuff and put it on. Toilet won't sit right because apparently when I pulled it up it messed up one of the scew holes in the flange thing n the ground. So then I had to go back to the depot to get one of those. Finally got it all working but this was a simple project for most manly men. Could u imagine me trying something actually difficult? I can't.

As others have said, finding an affordable guy that can do different things is the challenge. I can use lowes or home depot to replace my floors or back deck that is starting to rot but smaller tasks is more of a challenge.

 

[vhcat70]

My father had a lot of admirable qualities. Being 'handy' around the house was NOT one of them. Beyond tightening a screw here or there or touch up a nick in the paint somewhere, I don't recall him ever trying to fix much of anything himself.

I have no clue how to work on anything to do with a car or small engines - none. But, I'm a pretty decent painter, do some electrical work (new light switches, outlets, install ceiling fans, etc.), can do little repairs on plumbing although it drives me bonkers, replace and adjust sprinkler heads (direction, raise the head, cap off a line, etc.) and dabble in some carpentry (baseboards, built a utilitarian side table, rehang a door, level an entranceway, rebuilt a deck, etc.). When we moved into our house in July last year, I even replaced a brick in the front porch which had cracked and come loose - only time I've fooled with mortar. So, not Bob Vila but not completely clueless.

Having said that, I still make multiple trips to Home Depot/Lowe's as nothing is ever 'standard' and I always pick the wrong size/length the first time. If it's something like changing out the guts of a toilet, I've been buying one of every size and length the first time, knowing I'll take back the majority. But, at least I get the job done quicker. And, it seems I make weekly trips to Home Depot anyway so taking unused stuff back isn't a burden.

You're slightly better than me, but in same general range. I'm a regular repeated at HD too.

Have some cracking/splitting drywall in spots. Having them repaired.

Usually can clear a clogged drain, but recently had one where it's done it before going from kitchen to basement, and worked & worked at it with no luck. Finally call plumber and it even took him a fair amount of effort. Lots of turns in the pipes.

I did build a deck on first house near 50 years ago. Just saw, hammer, and nails, so I was good. Biggest thing I ever did.

 

[JamesIII]

I can change a tire, oil, battery, and replace an alternator on a car. After that, my knowledge of engines is limited.

Around the house I can do a lot of carpentry projects as long as I have the tools to do so. If I don’t know how to YouTube is a great tool. I don’t really mess with electrical stuff, I’m just not a fan of getting electrocuted.

My father who was a coal miner/maintenance foreman and could fix anything as long as he had a book to reference. He taught me a few things and always had the motto of “why should I pay someone to do something I can likely do?” I will likely never be as handy as he was, but he will never be as tall as I am or as good looking.

 

[BCD]

I have beer and friends that are good at that stuff.

 

[funKYcat75]

My problem is motivation and worrying that I will fudge something up real bad.
Things I have done around the house despite not really having any idea what I'm doing.

Changed out three toilets
Fixed a sink
Changed out a sink disposal
Installed kitchen faucets
Remove/installed ceiling lights and fans
Fixed a fence gate
Did an awful job at drywalling a ceiling (bath leak)
Did a slightly better job drywalling a ceiling (washer leak)
About to do a slightly even better job drywalling a ceiling (washer leak that was 'fixed' by a pro)

 

[sg24_]

Anything but electrical. I don't mess with that.

Shocked the crap out of myself late last year. No more electrical for me.

 

[catsfanbgky]

'Articulent'? Really? Perhaps the word 'articulate', meaning well-spoken, was the word you were searching for.

1. articulent
   The term "articulent" does not have a commonly recognized definition. It seems to be a combination of "articulate" and "eloquent." It could be used to describe someone who is able to express themselves clearly and fluently, with a particular emphasis on the use of language. However, without a widely accepted definition, its intended meaning may vary depending on the context in which it is used.

??? I was being used just how I wanted it to be. So,,,,,,

 

[catsfanbgky]

Are you freaking serious?

Yes, very serious, as serious as a heart attack.