do it yourself or call the professionals...

[warhawk]

hello fellow chrome domes... just wondering... who do u call when the toilet isn't working or the a/c is leaking or anything else that could go wrong in the house.  do u  do it yourself or do u call the professionals?  i'll start:  1st of all i'm  not a handyman (wish i was).  so...i'll call a friend 1st & if they can't do it.  i will reluctantly call the professionals. 

so how 'bout u?  R  U   the sly handyman? or do u have handyman friends?  or do u call the professionals?  what's your story?

WARHAWK

[Marz]

I am pretty damn handy, I pretty much have done most of the remodels and fix it type things with my houses.  I feel there are not alot of things I can't do...

BUT

knowing your limits, financial, time, skill, etc. is what really makes someone handy. Having no heat in your house because you are going to fix it yourself or biting off more than you can chew to save some money is not too smart. I call pro's all the time for things, I choose my battles.

[Tyler]

Like Marz, it depends what it is.  If it's now too crazy of a job, I might do it myself. Though, now that I've completely remodeled my house, I'm weary of doing anything myself so I don't screw it up.

[schro]

it depends what it is. 

Ditto here. Perfect example....recently we had some heavy rain, and our gutters were overflowing. Since it really hadn't rained all that much prior to that, I knew they were clogged. So, I called a couple of buddies to see if anyone had an extension ladder (needed about 25'). One did, but he was out of town. In the interim, I called a gutter service guy. Took this guy 15 minutes to unclog the drainspout, and it cost me $20. Saved me time, potential injury, and $ buying my buddy some beer.

[tomgallagher]

I call my sons-in-law.....

[SLYinKC]

Also depends on what it is.  A simple toilet repair is not a problem.  Anything with electical or complex plumbing, the pro is gonna get my call.

[Timmay]

Heck I just tear into it....most likely by the time im done..even if it just started out as a plumbing issue....you will prolly have to call the electrician, heating and air guy, the gas company, the phone company , satellite company...and oh hell why not...call your Insurance agent as well...never know.. lol

[SLYinKC]

Heck I just tear into it....most likely by the time im done..even if it just started out as a plumbing issue....you will prolly have to call the electrician, heating and air guy, the gas company, the phone company , satellite company...and oh hell why not...call your Insurance agent as well...never know.. lol

Just call you Timmj, the tool man Taylor..LOL

[PigPen]

I'll do damn near anything once. If I don't know how to do it, I know someone who does. Or know someone who knows someone.

[WannaBePadre]

I'm with PigPen -- I'll do anything once.

If i'm not sure, I'll call my brother or my dad and see if they have any pointers on how not to destroy it by trying to fix it.

[Rulon]

It also depends on what it is....but if my brother or me can't fix it then we get someone to come out.

[Alexander215]

Google is the only god I've ever seen, it has the answers to everything!- lyrics from a local band

If I can't do it I network with a buddy and I get someone to show me how, or read a tutorial

[PBurke]

if it ain't major i will do it. usually me and my paw-in-law or my step dad can get just about anything done. including make beer disappear. ha ha

[Stevo]

I like to think that I got some of my Dad's fix-it genetics, but I also know when to call the pros.  If it's minor automotive (Changing the oil, coolant system, spark plugs) I can do it, but when it comes to the brakes I call up the neighborhood repair shop.  I can handle a lot of electrical, just takes me time to narrow things down to the root problem.  I can sweat and solder a water pipe when needed, but I won't do anything to the furnace or AC except change the filter.

[nomad]

Heck I just tear into it....

If thats the case I'll bet its your wife who is "tearing" more like bawling like crazy,J/K
 

For me, like everyone else it just depends on what the job is, I am quite handy so there are alot of things I can do my self, but I do know when to give it over to the pros.