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I have seen a lot of you peoples' handiwork on HGTV, oh yeah, the "do it yourself" crowd, the unpermitted electrical work and unpermitted home additions that cost tens of thousands to rip out and replace because some fool thought they could do it themselves. :P
Although it really makes no difference, why would they not get a permit? The cost is minuscule and Homeowners are always allowed to pull a permit for their own work.
Electrical work is the easiest of all DIY house work IMO. The actual labor is easy, it takes only a few hours to understand the rules. I re-wired our house entire except the kitchen which was new. When we had the inspection, I had far fewer corrections than the professional who did the kitchen and I did three times more wiring. It really is not hard to do and since the homeowner is usually not trying to do it in a rush, you have time to think things through and do it right the first time. Because I was able to take my time, I did a far better job of avoiding damage to the walls and ceilings than an electrician ever could have done.
Pretty much everything involved in a house is easy to learn to do right. Carpentry is easy, plumbing is easy (if you use PEX) gas lines are easy. Most of the yahoos who work on houses are not rocket scientists. Many did not even finish high school. If they can do it, you can too.
A few things require heavy equipment (like digging a basement) or they are too labor intensive for most people (placing/finishing concrete, roofing, finishing wood floors). A very few thinks take a special person with a lot of experience (hanging any kind of doors that are not pre-hung - people doors, cabinet doors, etc. - but there are very few professionals who can do this correctly). Otherwise it is mostly a case of following directions and making sure you have the right tools.
Just like working on cars, when fixing a house, you mostly need professionals for diagnosis. That often depends heavily on experience. Doing the actaul work is no big deal.
The new carbs are so inexpensive, it's not worth the bother to fix the old one. I bought a kit for my Stihl that came with the carb, air filter, fuel filter, new fuel line, spark plug.... $16, delivered..... 15 minute job
But that effectively is the same thing you are ranting about, just at a different level. Why do the work when it is easier to hire someone?
Although it really makes no difference, why would they not get a permit? The cost is minuscule and Homeowners are always allowed to pull a permit for their own work.
Electrical work is the easiest of all DIY house work IMO. The actual labor is easy, it takes only a few hours to understand the rules. I re-wired our house entire except the kitchen which was new. When we had the inspection, I had far fewer corrections than the professional who did the kitchen and I did three times more wiring. It really is not hard to do and since the homeowner is usually not trying to do it in a rush, you have time to think things through and do it right the first time. Because I was able to take my time, I did a far better job of avoiding damage to the walls and ceilings than an electrician ever could have done.
Pretty much everything involved in a house is easy to learn to do right. Carpentry is easy, plumbing is easy (if you use PEX) gas lines are easy. Most of the yahoos who work on houses are not rocket scientists. Many did not even finish high school. If they can do it, you can too.
A few things require heavy equipment (like digging a basement) or they are too labor intensive for most people (placing/finishing concrete, roofing, finishing wood floors). A very few thinks take a special person with a lot of experience (hanging any kind of doors that are not pre-hung - people doors, cabinet doors, etc. - but there are very few professionals who can do this correctly). Otherwise it is mostly a case of following directions and making sure you have the right tools.
Just like working on cars, when fixing a house, you mostly need professionals for diagnosis. That often depends heavily on experience. Doing the actaul work is no big deal.
Depends on where you live.
Where *I* live, the permitting process is so complicated and so expensive even the pros try to avoid it. And they do NOT allow homeowners here to do ANY of their own plumbing or electrical. Pretty sure they won't allow a homeowner here to do anything more complicated than putting up a fence - which requires a permit complete with plans and a lot map showing all easements. Which is simple in my case because the entire YARD constitutes the easement.
Which is why nearly every one ignores the entire process. At least they don't seem to come after homeowners to fine them after the fact here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djmaxwell
But that effectively is the same thing you are ranting about, just at a different level. Why do the work when it is easier to hire someone?
Because it is cheaper and easier AND FASTER. Are you serious? Sheesh!
I repair things when I can, and it saves me money. I had a couple of transmission sensors on my van go out, and the dealership wanted $750 and several days to fix them. I ordered the sensors from Amazon for $25 each. My husband broke one while installing it and I had to order a replacement. Still cheaper than the dealership. The hydraulic arm on the back hatch went out, and I got that from Amazon. I also got a part for the AC for $50 that the dealership wanted $800 to fix.
I replaced my toilet, and my husband changed out the bathroom faucet. We also put in a different kitchen sink, faucet and garbage disposal. I fix the washing machine when it breaks (there's a local place that sells parts, costs more than online but I can get them that same day). I've fixed stoves and refrigerators too, but I've upgraded to a better stove and fridge now so I won't have to fix them once a year.
One thing that's easy to replace and good to keep on hand is the capacitor for the outside AC unit.
I repair things when I can, and it saves me money. I had a couple of transmission sensors on my van go out, and the dealership wanted $750 and several days to fix them. I ordered the sensors from Amazon for $25 each. My husband broke one while installing it and I had to order a replacement. Still cheaper than the dealership. The hydraulic arm on the back hatch went out, and I got that from Amazon. I also got a part for the AC for $50 that the dealership wanted $800 to fix.
I replaced my toilet, and my husband changed out the bathroom faucet. We also put in a different kitchen sink, faucet and garbage disposal. I fix the washing machine when it breaks (there's a local place that sells parts, costs more than online but I can get them that same day). I've fixed stoves and refrigerators too, but I've upgraded to a better stove and fridge now so I won't have to fix them once a year.
One thing that's easy to replace and good to keep on hand is the capacitor for the outside AC unit.
exactly I fix clothes on my sewing machine when most people say "oh it has a hole throw it away " excuse me no that is what a sewing machine is for . Got some pants that have raggedy hems cut them off and make pedal pushers or capris easy to do with a sewing machine .my neighbor came over and wanted me to replace the needle in her sewing machine and she watched me do it so she would know next time . yes people learn to fix stuff instead of throwing things away ,
Will that $16 carb turn my 70's musclecar into a beast? Plz give the part #.
What I always install in my cars --- Super High Speed Muffler bearings... OEM are made of reject Chinese pot metal... Your mileage and performance will improve so much you will be upset that you did not do them before.... PM for part# and price....
Stihl hedge trimmer wouldn't run.... $16 carb from Amazon and it's back to being a beast. 15 minutes work
Stihl string trimmer wouldn't run..... $16 carb from Amazon and it's back to being a beast. 15 minutes work
I'm all for fixing stuff but I don't throw good money at a problem either unless I know it's going to fix it.
The problem here is actually diagnosing it's the carb. Could be something as simple as badly blocked air filter. Could be you let it sit with half a tank of gas over the winter and the tank has a lot of water in it. My buddy owns a small engine repair shop and if I told you the amount of water he sees in gas you wouldn't believe me.
Best advice I can give you for small equipment like that is buy a quart or gallon of the pre mixed gas from the lawnmower place. Most homeowners won't go through a gallon in season. No ethanol and high octane.
Where *I* live, the permitting process is so complicated and so expensive even the pros try to avoid it. And they do NOT allow homeowners here to do ANY of their own plumbing or electrical. Pretty sure they won't allow a homeowner here to do anything more complicated than putting up a fence - which requires a permit complete with plans and a lot map showing all easements. Which is simple in my case because the entire YARD constitutes the easement.
Which is why nearly every one ignores the entire process. At least they don't seem to come after homeowners to fine them after the fact here.
Because it is cheaper and easier AND FASTER. Are you serious? Sheesh!
Where is that? I thought California was pretty much the most regulated place out there and they allow it. East coast someplace? .
Stihl hedge trimmer wouldn't run.... $16 carb from Amazon and it's back to being a beast. 15 minutes work
Stihl string trimmer wouldn't run..... $16 carb from Amazon and it's back to being a beast. 15 minutes work
Pull starter on my mower broke.... $50 from the small engine shop (because I couldn't figure out which model the engine was or it would have been $30). 5 minutes and back in business.
Neighbor couldn't get his mower to run...$16 carb from Amazon and he's back in business. 15 minutes work.
Sounds like the carbs are getting gummed up - a coworker stated this doesn't happen when he runs ethanol-free gas in his mower. Can anyone confirm this?
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