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Post by azbob643 on Mar 29, 2024 14:15:48 GMT -5
For better or worse, I'm a committed do-it-yourselfer. Started with the first house I bought, only because I couldn't afford to pay anyone to do things I needed/wanted done. Plenty of mistakes along the way...some hilarious. But over the years after watching a lot of "This Old House" and reading how-to books I got pretty good at it. In fact, when I reached the burnout stage of my sales career in my early 50's I started a handyman service, which blossomed into a home remodeling company which one of my sons eventually took over. I had sales burnout at 34. Returned to sales at 51. Sales burnout II is still in effect, hence retirement… I fell into a sales career at 18. The owner of the company at which I was working a summer job took a liking to me...mostly due to talking sports, specifically baseball. One day he asked me if I had a sports coat and a tie, which I did. He told me to come in the following week in my "dress clothes", which I did. He handed me business cards and told me to go out and dig up some business. Turned out I was pretty good at it, and it turned into a 35+ year career. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Mar 29, 2024 14:46:13 GMT -5
Turning screws and opening jars are horrifically difficult for me… a screwdriver is actually a torture device. I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. Though the right brand was operated 35 years ago, it’s returned to some degree. Thank goodness for vitamins B6 and B12. I only use a wrist brace occasionally… I've done a lot of construction/remodeling work. There was a time I'd throw 2 4' x 8' sheets of drywall on my shoulder and head up a flight of stairs. Those days are long gone. I still do some small projects around the house...thank goodness for cordless power tools and screwdriver bits. I'm in the middle of a garage remodel. I received two bids from the contractor that I regularly use. The bid with me pitching in and doing some of the work is higher than if they do it all. |
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Post by inger on Mar 29, 2024 14:54:25 GMT -5
I've done a lot of construction/remodeling work. There was a time I'd throw 2 4' x 8' sheets of drywall on my shoulder and head up a flight of stairs. Those days are long gone. I still do some small projects around the house...thank goodness for cordless power tools and screwdriver bits. I'm in the middle of a garage remodel. I received two bids from the contractor that I regularly use. The bid with me pitching in and doing some of the work is higher than if they do it all. 😂 |
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Post by azbob643 on Mar 29, 2024 14:54:39 GMT -5
I've done a lot of construction/remodeling work. There was a time I'd throw 2 4' x 8' sheets of drywall on my shoulder and head up a flight of stairs. Those days are long gone. I still do some small projects around the house...thank goodness for cordless power tools and screwdriver bits. I'm in the middle of a garage remodel. I received two bids from the contractor that I regularly use. The bid with me pitching in and doing some of the work is higher than if they do it all. Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all  . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. |
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Post by ypaterson on Mar 29, 2024 15:01:21 GMT -5
I'm in the middle of a garage remodel. I received two bids from the contractor that I regularly use. The bid with me pitching in and doing some of the work is higher than if they do it all. Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Mar 29, 2024 15:03:19 GMT -5
I'm in the middle of a garage remodel. I received two bids from the contractor that I regularly use. The bid with me pitching in and doing some of the work is higher than if they do it all. Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. The only part of the garage I'm disappointed with is the floor. The painter my contractor hired took the cheap route and used one of those DIY one coat products. It basically looks like floor paint even though he charged me what I would have expected to pay for the multiple coat 100% epoxy product. I think the product he used is 50% paint and 50% epoxy. I'm kinda pissed about it. I wish I would have researched more before he did it. It doesn't fill in imperfections in the floor as well and doesn't look like it will be as durable. |
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Post by azbob643 on Mar 29, 2024 15:08:04 GMT -5
Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. I've gotten rid of most of my tools, especially the larger ones...band saw, jointer/planer, radial arm saw, etc. But I still have a small table saw and compound miter saw. |
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Post by azbob643 on Mar 29, 2024 15:12:03 GMT -5
Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. The only part of the garage I'm disappointed with is the floor. The painter my contractor hired took the cheap route and used one of those DIY one coat products. It basically looks like floor paint even though he charged me what I would have expected to pay for the multiple coat 100% epoxy product. I think the product he used is 50% paint and 50% epoxy. I'm kinda pissed about it. I wish I would have researched more before he did it. It doesn't fill in imperfections in the floor as well and doesn't look like it will be as durable. Garage floor coating can be tricky...much of it depends on the condition of the floor and subsequent required prep. Sounds like maybe he didn't do any required patching & proper prep. |
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Post by inger on Mar 29, 2024 15:12:52 GMT -5
Yeah...I'd go with them doing it all . The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"? Coincidentally, I'm in the process of "remodeling" my garage. Sold our 2nd car, which started me down the road of doing so now that I had all the "extra" room. Started in November..."finished" up yesterday with epoxy coating the floor. This is a job that would've taken me maybe a week in my younger days. I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. I joke with my wife whenever I start a project, no matter how small, that she should call the ER and let them know we’ll be stopping in later. Yesterday day I hung two blue bird houses and got a small scrape on a knuckle… 🤓 |
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Post by azbob643 on Mar 29, 2024 15:15:10 GMT -5
I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. I joke with my wife whenever I start a project, no matter how small, that she should call the ER and let them know we’ll be stopping in later. Yesterday day I hung two blue bird houses and got a small scrape on a knuckle… 🤓 I've always said if there's no blood around I wasn't involved in the project. |
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Post by ypaterson on Mar 29, 2024 15:17:03 GMT -5
I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. I joke with my wife whenever I start a project, no matter how small, that she should call the ER and let them know we’ll be stopping in later. Yesterday day I hung two blue bird houses and got a small scrape on a knuckle… 🤓 Good strategy. I've always wondered why emergency rooms don't accept reservations. Sometimes you just know you are going to need one. |
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Post by inger on Mar 29, 2024 15:24:53 GMT -5
I joke with my wife whenever I start a project, no matter how small, that she should call the ER and let them know we’ll be stopping in later. Yesterday day I hung two blue bird houses and got a small scrape on a knuckle… 🤓 Good strategy. I've always wondered why emergency rooms don't accept reservations. Sometimes you just know you are going to need one. Since we moved in here 1.5 years ago I’ve been planning on getting up on our metal (propanel) roof and checking for/replacing popped screws. Knowing the lack of maintenance from the last owner, who was here for 5 years, I’m certain this task is over due. Since it gets windy here (20 with gusts up to 40 today)I keep missing the right time window due to other projects or commitments. My wife is certain I’m going to die, but I’ve done a fair share of cloning around on roofs before, most notably replacing plastic covering on greenhouse roofs. And this roof is only 2/12 pitch. I think I’m going to enjoy it… |
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Post by ypaterson on Mar 29, 2024 15:38:24 GMT -5
Good strategy. I've always wondered why emergency rooms don't accept reservations. Sometimes you just know you are going to need one. Since we moved in here 1.5 years ago I’ve been planning on getting up on our metal (propanel) roof and checking for/replacing popped screws. Knowing the lack of maintenance from the last owner, who was here for 5 years, I’m certain this task is over due. Since it gets windy here (20 with gusts up to 40 today)I keep missing the right time window due to other projects or commitments. My wife is certain I’m going to die, but I’ve done a fair share of cloning around on roofs before, most notably replacing plastic covering on greenhouse roofs. And this roof is only 2/12 pitch. I think I’m going to enjoy it… My biggest issue is the transfer to or back from the roof, especilally if I am carrying something. A couple of years ago I started gettin jelly legs and that was my sign to start hiring. |
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Post by laurenfrances on Mar 29, 2024 15:42:17 GMT -5
I give each of you guys credit for at least trying... I waved the white flag in the fall and donated a boatload of tools to the Vets including my table saw and extrension ladders. I figured that all those things were going to do was tempt me to try to do something I can't. I joke with my wife whenever I start a project, no matter how small, that she should call the ER and let them know we’ll be stopping in later. Yesterday day I hung two blue bird houses and got a small scrape on a knuckle… 🤓 I have a friend who's wife claims he's a walking catastrophe when it comes to house repairs. He said how hard can it be to change the toilet seat? While bolting the new seat, he tighten the screws/bolts too aggressively and cracked the toilet bowl flooding their bathroom. Till this day she doesn't allow him near the tool box. She does what she can with the help of a family friend that is into construction. I told my friend he did it on purpose so his wife won't give him a honey do list. lol  |
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Post by inger on Mar 29, 2024 15:56:49 GMT -5
Since we moved in here 1.5 years ago I’ve been planning on getting up on our metal (propanel) roof and checking for/replacing popped screws. Knowing the lack of maintenance from the last owner, who was here for 5 years, I’m certain this task is over due. Since it gets windy here (20 with gusts up to 40 today)I keep missing the right time window due to other projects or commitments. My wife is certain I’m going to die, but I’ve done a fair share of cloning around on roofs before, most notably replacing plastic covering on greenhouse roofs. And this roof is only 2/12 pitch. I think I’m going to enjoy it… My biggest issue is the transfer to or back from the roof, especilally if I am carrying something. A couple of years ago I started gettin jelly legs and that was my sign to start hiring. Yeah. The transfer is the worst part… |
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. The last thing a contractor wants to hear is "how's it going", followed by "anything I can do to help"?
