Minor DIY success

[disneysteve]

I am not the most mechanically-inclined guy around. I can manage basic stuff but I'm much more apt to get a pro to do things. In recent years, I've been trying to tackle more minor things on my own, usually successfully.

So this may seem infantile to some but I noticed the other morning that one of my headlights was out on my car. Rather than taking it over to the shop, I checked YouTube for a video on replacing the headlight just to make sure there wasn't anything complicated involved (on one car I had you needed to do some major work to access the headlight assembly - poor design) and it looked quite simple. Yesterday, I headed over to Pep Boys, used the little search tool to confirm which bulb I needed, and bought it. The best part was I had a $15 rewards certificate from their rewards card due to some other DIY jobs I did earlier this year so this repair cost me nothing.

I just went out and in just a few minutes, removed the old bulb and installed the new one and it works just fine. Mission accomplished.

Again, I know changing a lightbulb is pretty minor stuff but it's one less thing I had to pay someone else to do.

[cypher1]

I just went out and in just a few minutes, removed the old bulb and installed the new one and it works just fine. Mission accomplished.

Again, I know changing a lightbulb is pretty minor stuff but it's one less thing I had to pay someone else to do.

Hey, it's a start, which can continue to grow. And one less thing to book or schedule out at your mechanic shop.

Reminds me of my friends, always talking about working on a DIY project (example: painting a room or kitchen cabinets) for their house. Then they back out saying they don't have any experience, or need to buy a bunch of tools, etc. I always remind them that nobody starts out knowing everything at once. You start with what you know, and slowly build your skill set/confidence (and tools) from there.

[disneysteve]

need to buy a bunch of tools

build your skill set/confidence (and tools) from there.

I agree, especially with the tools comment. That does keep people from doing a lot of stuff. I've certainly learned over the years that if you buy a tool here and there as the need arises, eventually you have pretty much everything you need to do most jobs you are ever likely to tackle.

If bigger tools/equipment are needed, you can usually rent them from a local hardware store, or perhaps borrow them from a handy friend. We all have that one friend who owns everything in existence. For example, one time I borrowed a chainsaw from a friend to take down a small tree. It was free and saved me from buying one I might not ever use again or paying someone else to do the job for me.

[snafu]

Well done D Steve! Each success builds more confidence! What do you figure your cost avoidance staying clear of the dealership?

You Tube is a huge, problem solving resource right at our finger tips. When something breaks or not work as anticipated we typically check You Tube even when we know it's beyond our skill set so that we can explain the issue without sounding idiotic. DH is willing to at least try various home updates if the details offered on line are straight forward. The savings are huge over time.

[disneysteve]

What do you figure your cost avoidance staying clear of the dealership?

I don't know. I paid $11 for the bulb (though nothing out of pocket thanks to the reward certificate. I'm sure the shop would charge a bit more plus labor so probably $20-30.

[greenskeeper]

youtube can be a tremendous help for the DIYer

[JoeP]

Great news! Accomplishments like this make me think:
"I did it myself!"
"It wasn't really that hard!"
"I saved a few bucks!"
"I learned something!"
"I can encourage others!"

And then the next logical one: "What else can I do when something goes wrong?"

[kork13]

I'm the same... Not very handy, but willing to give things a shot. I basically have one rule for what I'm willing to try:
"If there is a likelihood that I will:
A) Electrocute myself
B) Flood my house
C) Burn down/blow up the house
D) Crash the house down around me
..... I absolutely will not try it myself."

That mostly rules out electrical, gas, plumbing, and structural stuff beyond fairly basic repairs. But if it's simple replacement, painting, glue/screw/nail/caulk, and little things like that, I'll often at least give it a try. My proudest moment was a couple years ago when I successfully replaced the flushing mechanisms in both of our toilets without flooding the house (or even the water closet!). You may notice that I tend to expect the worst when I start picking up tools... Lol

[sv2007]

We wanted to remove the grass (all dead anyway due to no watering restrictions) and replace with rocks and draught resist covering for our yard.

Landscapers quotes seem kind of high. So I had rocks and plants delivered then picked up a worker at Home Depot; everything done right for 25% of lowest quote.

I classify this as DIY.

[disneysteve]

picked up a worker at Home Depot

What does that mean exactly? Did you hire a Home Depot employee to come do the job? Did you strike up a conversation with another customer who you then hired?

Obviously, it's not DIY if you hired someone else to do it. I'm just curious how you lined up the person who did the job because I think that's good out-of-the-box thinking that sounds like it saved you a bunch of money.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

There usually out side of HD have people standing around you can hire to do landscaping. We did that as a condo when we put in our retaining wall. I also hired them to paint the exterior.

[greenskeeper]

What does that mean exactly?

Amigos hanging out at home improvement stores....generally you can get them to help you with whatever for $10/hr cash

[disneysteve]

There usually out side of HD have people standing around you can hire to do landscaping.

Amigos hanging out at home improvement stores....generally you can get them to help you with whatever for $10/hr cash

I have never encountered anyone hanging out at Home Depot looking for work. I was just at Lowe's on Sunday and there definitely wasn't anyone out there. Might be a regional thing. Maybe it's illegal here.

[JoeP]

I have never encountered anyone hanging out at Home Depot looking for work. I was just at Lowe's on Sunday and there definitely wasn't anyone out there. Might be a regional thing. Maybe it's illegal here.

I believe this is a regional thing. The first time I saw this was in CA, and had to ask my BIL why people were hanging out by the dozens outside a Home Depot we passed.

[rerod]

Nice work Steve! I'm also the diy type.

Small easy jobs make sense to do. But the larger more complicated ones, I'm beginning to wonder.

I sided my house with vinyl alone. When I finished four years later, the amount of time it took, if I had a second job, would have paid for a professional, twice.

On the other hand, I screwed all the plywood to the studs and a few other details a pro would have simply covered over.

I also pulled and rebuilt the cummins engine in my van alone. That was a doozy crawling around my garage floor all summer! It was well worth it after pulling a toyhauler up the rockies and back home. Iv never felt that kind accomplishment ever.

I always have said if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself.. So I better get on my bathrooms..