Learn how to fix things

[Machine10033]

Let me start... I am no contractor. I bought my house in 2010 and was completely clueless about general home maintenance, landscaping, and repairs. A massive source of stress for me was always worrying about things breaking or leaking and having to pay someone to fix it.

so over the years I made an effort to learn how to repair pretty much everything in my home. I will not tackle electrical work. Last week at work one of the new hires 22 years old was talking about how stressed he was because the “faucet” behind his washing machine kept dripping. He said he called multiple plumbers but they were booked for weeks. I tried to walk him thru what was probably wrong with his shut off valve. He had no clue.... he asked if I could fix it... I went to his apartment and literally tightened a packing nut and it stopped ! It was 3 minutes of work. He wanted to give me 100 dollars I declined and he bought me a bottle of expensive bourbon. He has now asked me to help his friends out with home /apartment problems they have.

I am not looking for a side hustle but it appears we have an entire generation that has no interest in learning any hone maintenance skills. I would venture to bet someone with an average understanding of home repair could make pretty decent money doing this.

 

[Billtx49]

The problem with any homeowner self repair, maintenance, or minor construction efforts is resolve plus commitment. Both are obviously required to gain the knowledge, and doing the physical work.

The above takes effort, easier to pay someone else to fix your problems rather than improving your personal knowledge base. Not as many jack of all trades that are willing to learn any skills around anymore…

 

[DonJuanjr]

I will not tackle electrical work.

It's easier than you think. Follow the rules of the NEC, and you won't start fires. Black(wire) to brass, to cover your a$$.

 

[Machine10033]

The above takes effort, easier to pay someone else to fix your problems rather than improving your personal knowledge base. Not as many jack of all trades that were willing to learn any skills around anymore…

exactly ! Growing up I would make a few hundred bucks on a snow day shoveling until I couldn’t move anymore. Doing physical work where you can actually see the results is one of the lost satisfying things in life. I see no kids wandering around my neighborhood looking to make money cutting grass or shoveling snow.

 

[Billtx49]

exactly ! Growing up I would make a few hundred bucks on a snow day shoveling until I couldn’t move anymore. Doing physical work where you can actually see the results is one of the lost satisfying things in life. I see no kids wandering around my neighborhood looking to make money cutting grass or shoveling snow.

Yep, history has proven that men traditionally build things and make other things work. If today’s men have no interest in that, I don’t know what we’ve got now…
Paid labor today, not saying all, but a good number have less pride in the finished product nor the desire to make a repair as perfect as possible like an owner should, home, land, car…
I believe most think a work ethic only applies if they’re getting paid…

 

[BackInTheGame78]

I have no interest in any of that either and I am in my mid 40s. I will gladly pay someone to take care of that crap.

 

[jimwho]

I went to his apartment and literally tightened a packing nut and it stopped ! It was 3 minutes of work. He wanted to give me 100 dollars I declined and he bought me a bottle of expensive bourbon. He has now asked me to help his friends out with home /apartment problems they have.

Careful! The saying "No good deed goes unpunished " is massively true. I could give you a funny scenario that can go on & on and fill a page. Also good on you for helping out.

 

[2Rocky]

Self reliance is an Alpha trait, as is the ability to pay someone else to do tasks on your behalf. Making that decision is a leadership skill.

There is nothing wrong with hiring out projects if it will get them done faster/better/cheaper than you can do it. but basic plumbing, carpentry, landscaping are life skills. Search "Shop Classes for adults". Today with You tube, you can learn just about any skill imaginable...

 

[EyeBRollin]

For me it’s mostly time.

Although I did convert my 6x6 condo storage unit into a home gym. Completely from scratch. It was fun actually.

 

[DonJuanjr]

Although I did convert my 6x6 condo storage unit into a home gym.

Mine's in my kitchen. Can do most things that one can do at a gym. Except leg press/hack squat unfortunately...

 

[SW15]

Fixing things, constructing things, and other sorts of manual labor are good for us men. We need to encourage this.

 

[jimwho]

Fixing things, constructing things, and other sorts of manual labor are good for us men. We need to encourage this.

^^^THIS^^^
And in an era of servicemen not giving a Sht about workmanship, it's more important now than ever before!

 

[Machine10033]

.

 

[Atom Smasher]

I wish I could do a YouTube series for the guys here because ł consider the use of tools and the ability to build and repair to be vitally important to healthy manhood. But alas, the need for anonymity prevents this.
There’s nothin like the feeling of accomplishment when you build, repair or restore something.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

There are a limited number of skills people can learn in a lifetime. I for one prefer to delegate things to others and keep the scope of my expertise narrow to things that I find interesting/important.

Personally I hate DIY stuff anyway, especially related to home maintenance.

 

[DonJuanjr]

For those who don't have a lot of money. It becomes a necessity to learn how to do things. For example I replaced a $10 part on my vehicle myself. Had I gone to a mechanic, it would have cost me $450.

 

[Machine10033]

For those who don't have a lot of money. It becomes a necessity to learn how to do things. For example I replaced a $10 part on my vehicle myself. Had I gone to a mechanic, it would have cost me $450.

my brother lives 14 hours away.... and paid a plumber 250 dollars to change a flapper in his toilet. I have plenty of money but hearing that almost made me throw up.

 

[DonJuanjr]

my brother lives 14 hours away.... and paid a plumber 250 dollars to change a flapper in his toilet. I have plenty of money but hearing that almost made me throw up.

You should have said, "hey bro, since you're throwing money around, how about sending ole' machine10033 a lil something something."

 

[Atom Smasher]

I just replaced my wife’s radiator for the cost of the part… $120.
Cost to have the shop do it: $1200.
It’s great to be handy with tools. I greatly enjoy working with my hands.

 

[Billtx49]

I just replaced my wife’s radiator for the cost of the part… $120.
Cost to have the shop do it: $1200.
It’s great to be handy with tools. I greatly enjoy working with my hands.

Congratulations guy, I bet a good feeling of a well done job came with that one…

I haven’t done a radiator in years, but my last adventure a few months ago was my dishwasher. Did you know that a 20% blocked water inlet valve/filter will create uncleaned dishes and non dispensed soap pods. Located right behind base cover plate, 4 simple tools, 30 minutes, and best of all a $27 part.