Home Repairs

Subject: Home Repairs Sun 18 Mar 2007, 12:52 am

Answer by ticking your selected choice.
(Thanks to Donna for the poll suggestion).
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~ LESS IS MORE ~

Subject: Re: Home Repairs Sun 18 Mar 2007, 1:10 am

We do as much as possible ourselves unless it's illegal (like electrical work in Aus.). Luckily we have a friend who's a qualified electrician and he rewired our entire house and in payment asked for a new computer monitor!!! We saved a LOT of money. DH returned the favour with car maintenance.
It was great working in the hardware store, I got lots of bargains plus staff discount, it saved a lot of money doing home repairs and decorating.
We've put in a new bathroom, replaced the kitchen (with a reasonable 2nd hand one which we adapted), sanded floors, painted (I like painting walls but hate painting woodwork...ugh). I used to hang wallpaper but we don't have any in this home. DH does tiling and ended up doing the replumbing in our bathroom renovation when a couple of plumbers let us down...grrrrr....
There are many savings to be made by doing as much as possible yourself, most of them on labour costs alone. We have had a few large outside jobs professionally done but often source the cheapest materials ourselves, prepare what we can and pay labour...so we still save everywhere we can.
We had a lot of concreting done out back and got a quote to have it stencil-painted but the cost was outrageous so we'll be doing that ourselves when we eventually get around to it Rolling Eyes

We also had someone erect the deck but DH put on the insulated roof himself and saved $1000 in labour. DH has also recently replaced all the outside guttering and downpipes and saved a lot of money there too. We will have to get a professional to repair the loose rooftiles though but DH will clean the roof himself with the pressure cleaner when we get a water tank... Rolling Eyes

....So much done already, so much yet to do.....it's never ending.....there must be a light at the end of the tunnel...huh? Razz

Oh we have a few waiting projects....my last day working in the hardware store I purchased ex-display cabinets very cheaply and a $340 double-drainer sink for $10! DH has plans to install them in our large garage so I'll have a proper laundry instead of the old double cement sink....and we're in the process of fixing up our downstairs room, DH has already put up a ceiling, a dividing wall will be next, then the floors.....
So....yes.....we definitely do as much as possible ourselves....when we have the time....and even doing it ourselves costs money.....so it takes time Rolling Eyes

But you can take pride in the fact that not only did YOU do it but you saved money!!!
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~ LESS IS MORE ~

Moderator Age : 28 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 2015

We have done all repairs ourselves....so far Smile

Subject: Re: Home Repairs Sun 18 Mar 2007, 10:05 am

We try to do as much as possible ourselves.

Subject: Re: Home Repairs Sun 18 Mar 2007, 10:43 am

my Husband and them boys will do everything the only thing the wont do is Electrical and they dont pump the septic tank
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Home Repairs Sun 18 Mar 2007, 5:20 pm

I did not realize how much Todd knew how to do with homes, but he is planning on doing everything for the new house.

Well, everything except the septic (which we are required to hire a contractor from a list that the city provided).

He is going to get an estimate on how much it would cost to get a new furnace. We know that we can buy a brand new Trane furnace for $1100 for him to install. If someone gives us an estimate of $2,000 to get the same furnace, and install (with AC), then I think we'll save the time and just get it done thru a professional. Otherwise, Todd will do it himself.
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"It is not how much money you make - it is how you spend it."

Subject: Re: Home Repairs Mon 19 Mar 2007, 6:35 pm

I chose very little because we rent our house and so we are supposed to report any problems to the owner. He gets to fix them,yay (I would be terrible at repair I am afraid)!
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MARY