How did you get into DIY?

[JP_]

Yeah, I earn about 1/4 of the average hourly rate around here. i think labourers take home more cash than I do each day!

I have another person coming over to quote taking down our chimneys today. I think the materials cost about £200 to repair the floor, wall and ceiling. The first quote was £4500. Hoping a sensible one comes in, or I'll be asking here "how to demolish a chimney without killing people or destroying my home".

 

[EFLImpudence]

Start at the top.

Not like where I had to go to work once; only demolished in the living room.

 

[HawkEye244]

Got into it because I wanted to be useful to people and don't respect or value many other industries.

They should teach basic DIY in school, because practical skills are essential. The last two generations have been sold the lie that to be a worthy person you need to be in a good office job, even if you hate it, and we know most office jobs today are completely pointless with zero social contribution.

 

[Keithmac]

We skint ourselves buying a house that was in a very poor state, so no choice but to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in!.

I left the windows to the professionals though and glad I did, they did an excellent job. Not a fan of heights personally!.

Quite enjoy tiling now, unfortunately I've finished all the tiling that needs doing!.

Don't think a tradesman who was been paid to do the job would have spent as much time on the awkward stuff, if you do it yourself there's all the time in the world.

Also don't begrudge paying our plumber to service the boiler every year, he does a thorough job and doesn't charge the moon. Gas is not something that should be messed around with imho..

 

[Ian H]

You right there Hawkeye, they should teach trades and NHS in schools.

I took one of my kids to work this week:

Got her hands dirty doing a bit of moling.

 

[Mottie]

They should teach basic DIY in school, because practical skills are essential.

Funnily enough, I run my own business teaching entry level basic car and cycle maintenance to kids of school age. I deal with mainstream schools, PRU's (Pupil Referral Units - where all the expelled kids end up!) and organisations that help kids with problems in care and into independence. I only offer accredited City & Guilds courses (We are an accredited C&G centre) and I was talking to one of the organisations only the other day about the possibility of construction type skills. Again, very low entry level stuff such as filling cracks and painting, tiling, papering, changing tap washers and toilet cisterns, soldering and bending copper pipe, wiring up a simple lighting/ring main circuit, fitting shelves, hanging pictures etc. Nothing to hard but just for them to get an idea of the range of diy type skills that they may need in the future and an understanding of basic hand and power tools. Might even spark an interest in some and give them ideas of jobs they might like to consider for the future. Do you think this is the sort of thing that is needed these days? Anything else to consider?

 

[Brigadier]

I wish you all the best in that venture, motman. I would have loved to have had that practical stuff at school.

 

[noseall]

I..I..just took one....maybe two goes at a small bit of plastering, a tiny bit of bricklaying....next thing I'm into it every day....controls my life.....can't stop thinking about it.......I've tried therapy......counselling.....the group I sit with now kinda understand but don't really understand how b..b..bad it is....I wish i'd never seen that damn trowel....aaaarrrrggggh!

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or concerned about addictions visit DIYnot any time they have an urge.

 

[Notch7]

Yeah, I earn about 1/4 of the average hourly rate around here. i think labourers take home more cash than I do each day!

I have another person coming over to quote taking down our chimneys today. I think the materials cost about £200 to repair the floor, wall and ceiling. The first quote was £4500. Hoping a sensible one comes in, or I'll be asking here "how to demolish a chimney without killing people or destroying my home".

Do you mean remove chimney breast from ground, first floor and chimney on roof? Thats a fair bit work.

Not the average diyers job

 

[Ian H]

Do you think this is the sort of thing that is needed these days? Anything else to consider?

That does sound good!! One of my boys doesn't like the learning side of school but I bet he would love that!!!

 

[Notch7]

Funnily enough, I run my own business teaching entry level basic car and cycle maintenance to kids of school age. I deal with mainstream schools, PRU's (Pupil Referral Units - where all the expelled kids end up!) and organisations that help kids with problems in care and into independence. I only offer accredited City & Guilds courses (We are an accredited C&G centre) and I was talking to one of the organisations only the other day about the possibility of construction type skills. Again, very low entry level stuff such as filling cracks and painting, tiling, papering, changing tap washers and toilet cisterns, soldering and bending copper pipe, wiring up a simple lighting/ring main circuit, fitting shelves, hanging pictures etc. Nothing to hard but just for them to get an idea of the range of diy type skills that they may need in the future and an understanding of basic hand and power tools. Might even spark an interest in some and give them ideas of jobs they might like to consider for the future. Do you think this is the sort of thing that is needed these days? Anything else to consider?

There has been a decline in DIY for a few years now. It seems people would prefer to get someone in!

The generations coming through now dont learn basic handyman skills from their parents. That translates into a lack of confidence as well.

Im sure given the opportuntiy, youngsters would love the chance to learn some basic diy skills.

 

[mattylad]

I generally prefer to do my own work in the house, its quicker and I can get the job done to my satisfaction.
However, recent years has seen me turn more to getting someone in, that's age creeping up on me, and working hard at work so being too tired to do it myself or have the time.

My wife does not like me going up on the roof any more either.

 

[CylonRaider]

It's not just household DIY is it ?

As a Single source of income for our family (Wife chose to be a Housewife) money was always tight.
Anything that had to be done was done "on the creative" !
Some things were bodges until I could afford "A man that does " to fix them and other things I succeeded.

Automotive wise I often buggered it up first times and re-fixed it.
Hint - Don't be lazy by using a rattle gun to pull in a new wheel bearing as it rattles it to pieces !!

 

[bernardgreen]

After seeing several friends having to resolve problems with their houses I set my heart on a self build, at least then I would be aware of the problems.
This article in Homes and Gardens convinced me and my wife that DIY house building was not only possible but also could be low cost.



Meeting Walter Segal and later meeting Mrs Jackson removed all doubt.

The total bill for the house we built as a total DIY project was £ 22,000 ( after reclaiming the VAT ) plus the cost of the land.