1.

Shadox
May 10th, 2007 at 10:05 pm

What an excellent post! I loved it. You captured my feelings exactly. I just had to recommend this post on my blog…

2.

broknowrchlatr
May 11th, 2007 at 7:43 am

Very true. My experiences have not been that dramatic. I put in a new laminate floor and messed something up and it is going to cost be about $400 to fix it. The Pro Installation would have been $1000 but it would have been done in 1 day. I’ve been dragging this out for months.

Othe projects have been more successfull.

3.

dong
May 13th, 2007 at 3:39 pm

Great post. I feel like i’ve done two of the same projects. I put in a fan, and I put in a new kitchen faucet (similar to the shower I would think). I think anything that has a really high “oh crap” cost and probablility i.e. the gas furnace I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. However I find often not so much the financial impact as much as the psychological impact. When I get something done and goes smoothly enough, I feel great. It’s when project becomes unfeasible that when i get frustrated and swear that I’ll never tackle something like it again. Nothing is worse than having a half finished project looming over your heard (and potentially preventing you from using the sink)….

4.

dePriest
May 13th, 2007 at 10:58 pm

This is so funny and, unfortunately, so true! I was just speaking with the guys who came to take care of my backed-up drains yesterday, and we were laughing about how any repair that seems easy is just a catastrophe waiting to happen for the average joe. Now, on to get the clothes out of my squeeeeeeaky dryer…

5.

Q at $1 Million to My Name
May 14th, 2007 at 2:52 pm

Luckily, fixing something myself is never a consideration - I am utterly clueless. And that is OK. I am a great investor. Just can’t fix anything around the house!

6.

Midnight Raider
May 15th, 2007 at 3:52 pm

Hubby is a do-it-yourselfer, but he knows his limitations. Something like changing a shower head or ceiling light fixture is pretty basic, and he would definitely do it himself. Fixing a dryer, however, is much more specialized.

Don’t forget to check out http://www.repairclinic.com/ for info about appliance repairs/parts.

7.

MossySF
May 16th, 2007 at 6:08 am

I was trying to reattach the handle back onto toilet. It was old, rusted, bent inside so it took some pounding to get in. Except the pounding cracked the water tank. Ooops. Guess I should have simply bought a new handle for $10. Now I have to replace the tank and possibly the toilet if the new tank doesn’t fit the old toilet.

8.

Kathryn
May 17th, 2007 at 2:09 pm

Thanks….made me chuckle. I think we all have to find that “edge” between when to pay for expert help and when to pay the cost of educating ourselves in how to do something. There will be no right answer for everyone…just the questions that everyone can ask when faced with a repair:
1. Do I know how to fix this safely?
2. Can I learn how to fix this safely?
3. How much damage can I cause if I mess things up?
3. Is it worth my time to learn how? Will I ever do this again?

Our “edge” had varied over the years. Five years ago we completely reroofed our house starting as complete beginners (took us 5 months! but saved about $6000), and we routinely rip apart faucets to fix leaks…but I just shelled out $175 to have someone replace a $20 “igniter” in the gas oven. Gas is just on the other side of my “edge” I guess.

9.

Stingy Student
May 20th, 2007 at 6:39 pm

Although financially, DIY may not always be the best way to go, there’s nothing more ego-boosting to the male psyche than fixing stuff yourself. Even simple things like oil changes get a nice rush of testosterone flowing through your system.

10.

Hazzard
May 21st, 2007 at 12:02 pm

On the shower head installation you forgot:
Crack pipe in wall as you are installing shower head: $1000

On the ceiling fan, you forgot:
Emergency room visit when fan falls while spinning on high: $$Lots$$

11.

Marc
June 14th, 2007 at 1:06 am

Great post and definitely good advice for the DIY novice.

However, despite the “hidden costs” and risks, consider for the more serious DIYers out there the “hidden benefits”:
1. Each project will leave you with new skills and/or new knowledge (even if it’s “I’m never going to try that again!”)
2. Each project gives you an excuse to go buy another tool, which can then be used “for free” on future projects down the road.
3. Each project has the potential to improve your professional life (Your boss suddenly realizes you are a lousy accountant and your career is over, but ALAS! You have a garage full of tools and you know how to use them. Time to start that business you’ve been dreaming of! JUST DON’T DO YOUR OWN TAXES.)
4. Freedom to have it your way. The professional installation crew may insist on using the absolute finest products on the market today, but you live in a mobile home and duct tape actually matches your decor. Time to DO-IT-YOURSELF

12.

dr.xnlb
November 6th, 2007 at 10:23 am

I don’t even let my family members (some of them have been in construction and are quite handy) touch anything on my house.

If they aren’t licensed, bonded or insured - then they don’t come near my house. I need the insurance policy that if it all goes to hell, I will have some recourse if the repair should fail.

The dryer is bit different. You can probably save some money by bringing it to someone to replace the rear bearing, instead of having them come in. But then again, simple appliance repairs are covered by my Home Warranty. You do have one of those, don’t you?

13.

James Chapman
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 am

I love the sense of humour in your post. Making light of a frustrating situation (even if it’s our fault) is sometimes the way to go!

I think I’m gonna send a copy of this to a few people I know - the ones who think they’re pros (but who are SO NOT). Or maybe I should send it to their partners instead - they’ll be able to break it to them gently!

Great post!

14.

Husqvarna Guy
October 1st, 2008 at 12:01 am

Funny post. People obsess over money saving but ignore the time expense with DIY. It really does depend on how “time rich” you are and how much patience you have left to burn up before trying out a DIY project. If you are poor in either area, I suggest hiring a professional.

15.

ICS Diamond Chains
October 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

I think the media (TV, magazines) encourage people too much to get into DIY projects that are way over their head.

16.

Cables and Slings
October 19th, 2008 at 10:39 pm

DIY is like buy cheap, buy twice. Hire a professional. If you’re truly into DIY take a course in plastering, carpentry, plumbing etc. There’s plenty around.

17.

Dave WMF
November 12th, 2008 at 6:35 am

DIY = Doing Injuries to Yourself