When making home repairs, when do you hire a professional and when do you consider a weekend warrior?

SFC Dante Alanis — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 19:41:53 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 8:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:06:46 -0500

Electrical and plumbing I call for "help". Everything else I can pretty much handle

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 8:17 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:17:16 -0500

SFC Dante Alanis Plumbing and anything that requires trenching, and anything electrical 50 amps or larger. Also, tile work.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 9:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:25:47 -0500

I pass on working on gas lines...and high voltage. I suppose if I have to pull a permit, I would consider a professional. Maybe we should start a new thread and poll the crowd for house repair tips.... there has to be master electricians, plumbers, and jobbers parole lurking around.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 2 at 2017 10:18 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 22:18:40 -0500

Funny how living in the sticks AND having a loader, backhoe, auger, etc. encourages self immolation as you have to justify buying the stuff in the first place. I'm an engineer so keep within my personal capability both technical and safety wise. I don't roam around roofs anymore. So if it's major electrical, well, HVAC, etc., I call in the Pros from Dover. Regular electrical, plumbing, trim work, etc. I'll do. My summer project was a complete chicken coop, fenced yard, watering system, and electrical for winter heat. I used to have Oil Can Henry do oil changes. However it takes longer to go some place vs. doing it yourself, so I do it. That will change sooner vs. later given my age. I do feel it more after crawling around the garage floor. Anything that requires an artistic touch is definitely out of my league.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 11:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 23:24:20 -0500

I do as much as I can myself. There are some things that I don't know how to like heating and air, major electrical stuff.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 3 at 2017 12:32 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 00:32:02 -0500

If I can do it I will.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 3 at 2017 1:04 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 01:04:22 -0500

I'm a computer geek, so my threshold is pretty low. But let me know if you ever need a computer built or fixed!

Response by CW2 Donald Kempf made Jan 3 at 2017 7:15 AM

CW2 Donald Kempf — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 07:15:22 -0500

It all depends on the improvement. I did my last roof @ 55 and I will likely not get on a roof again. I'm pretty handy, but I have started to take into consideration the toll some projects take upon me and I now tend to sub out items I would do previously, either due to changes in technology or the amount of physical discomfort the task causes me.

Angieslist and homeadvisor are both good websites to find contractors if you can't or don't want to do work yourself.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Jan 3 at 2017 9:15 AM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 09:15:21 -0500

I like to consider myself a weekend warrior. Fortunately I know several people directly or through others in which any home repair I am confronted with can get first hand knowledge of how to do it. It started with replacing my sewer line out to the city connection. I spent a weekend and about $150 in material and equipment rental vs $1500. Since then I have found I can do just about anything. Recently I had to replace my A/C system. Fortunately a friend has a friend that does it for a living. I helped him install it and now have a solid understanding of how it works and how to troubleshoot it.

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Jan 3 at 2017 1:17 PM

PO2 Robert M. — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 13:17:26 -0500

I would be more than happy to hire a Veteran for repairs on my home.
Is there a way to find Businesses OWNED by VETERANS?, or Disabled Veterans?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2017 4:11 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:11:54 -0500

Below the floorboards I hire a pro.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jan 3 at 2017 4:38 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:38:52 -0500

I've found that I can accomplish just about any task that I try to do. However, I don't do it nearly as fast or as cleanly as a professional would. I'm up for most projects including light construction, light electrical (outlets, light fixtures,fans, etc), light plumbing (toilets, sinks, faucets), wood floors (I don't do tile), painting, etc. The things that will hurt or kill me such as roofing, HVAC, Hot Water Heaters, New Electrical circuits, concrete pads, etc, I pay to have done right.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 3 at 2017 6:06 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:06:51 -0500

You consult a weekend warrior when you know what the job is and can determine wether or not they know what they are talking about. If it is a major repair...plumbing or electric or gas..just hire a professional company. If anything goes wrong they are on the hook and home inspections or real estate transactions are certainly going to require certification.
If you can hire a professional sole proprietor then do so....cash price may be a distinct improvement. If you are going to spend quite a bit ask for bids. The losers won't usually even send you a bid. If you need sheetrocking done...hire anybody that cam really talk the talk. Ask them what kind of mudbox they prefer....you'll catch the dumbasses. If they pop off with an answer your talking to the wrong guy ...if it's a pro they will give you a look that says "WTF difference does it make?"

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2017 6:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:25:24 -0500

I have done masonry, flatwork, brickwork, blockwork, (including underpinning) stonework, fireplaces and chimneys; I've done carpentry, interior, exterior, and framing. I've done roofing, asphalt shingle, and steel. I worked in the DC power industry for 7 years, so I'm familiar with electricity. I worked as an electrician overseas, and wired 3 phase panels, and the circuits from those panels. Also wired the low voltage side of the power transformers as well (under supervision of the 12P prime power guys.)
I taught myself to sweat copper fittings, and the rest of plumbing is honestly fairly simple, just remember 1/8th bubble pitch and keep it vented! I actually replaced my toilet last night, and am replacing my bath/shower mixing valve tonight. (Long as I don't spend all evening on RP)
I do NOT know HVAC. I can do repairs, but I don't know how to size a system, how to size ducts, or ensure equal flow, though I'll at least give myself credit for knowing that I don't know! I do my own home furnace repairs. Have replaced the igniter twice, and the gas valve once. Also had to clean out the power vent fan once. I'm not certain how crap got down the vent, but it did, and jammed the fan.
I hate doing sheetrock and tile, though I've done both too. If I ever were in a place I could have somebody else do those for me, I would be more than happy.

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 3 at 2017 6:44 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:44:47 -0500

If I can do it I a day and Not effect the structure of the House I'll do it... otherwise I get Pros'....

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jan 3 at 2017 6:56 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:56:12 -0500

We have almost finished remodeling the house since the kids have gone, we do all our own work except drywall. I hate mudding and sanding drywall. Pros can do it way faster and cheaper. Last guy bought all materials and did the work for less than I could get the drywall for.

Response by MAJ Glynn Garcia made Jan 3 at 2017 6:57 PM

MAJ Glynn Garcia — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:57:25 -0500

if its cosmetic, a WW. If it can destroy the house, (electrical, foundation, structural support) then go with a pro.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2017 1:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:51:06 -0500

I do most of my own repairs, am a weekend warrior, and I don't pay myself very much. I do charge my spouse a backrub sometimes, though.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 14 at 2021 12:23 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 12:23:21 -0400

Making home repair tends to be pretty easy as My Son is a building contractor and can do just about anything. My Cousin is also a building contractor and has done things for us and His brother in Law is a plumber. My Uncle had put an addition on our house, my cousin worked for Him but now owns the company. My son put a new roof on My house, did a total renovation on the kitchen, living room and dining room making them all one big open space and even did oak hardwood flooring in a three . When the addition was done My Dad dug the trenches for the foundation and cellar, put a water catch basin in the driveway. Get all the professionals from right inside my own family.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Jul 14 at 2021 10:54 PM

Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:54:16 -0400

I hire a professional when my insurance covers the problem and fix home repairs when not covered. My priority is doing it myself for construction & repairs - but I leave heating and the wellrepairs for the professional

Response by Dana Filch made Nov 1 at 2024 6:36 AM

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Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Nov 1 at 2024 8:19 AM

1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:19:50 -0400

Hire a pro for anything electrical (other than simple tasks like changing a light bulb! LOL)...