Poll: Are You A Do-It Yourself Guy/Gal/Robot?

[warprincenataku]

Do you do home-improvements, gardening, modding, modeling or anything of the sort yourself or have someone else do it for you?

Examples: Hire contractors, builders, buy pre-painted models online, pay someone to do it for you, etc.



In Short:
What spurred this thought was the renovations that are occurring on my house, dividing wall downstairs, kitchen countertop and garden boxes. Sure I can do it myself, laying block and cement is rather easy, but the cost of labour is so cheap here (Thailand) that I can just pay someone else to do it and spend my time being more productive (teaching, designing), doing the things only I can do.

I have done a few projects myself, but honestly it's just easier to pay someone to do it.

So far, Electrician for adding two lights, 4 plugs with grounds and new switches cost me about $40 USD in labour. The cement guys cost me $6 USD a person for a whole day's work.

Note: I own and run a shop that sells hardware, building supplies and machinery, so the cost of the product is not an issue. What are your thoughts escapist?

 

[Paksenarrion]

Why, yes, I do myself...isn't there a thread about this already?

Oh, wait-

 

[SnowyGamester]

Shits expensive (here in Aus at least), do everything myself, including but not limited to roof, walls, floor, plumbing, kitchen, electrics, fixtures, electronics/media setup, computer modification, entire building extentions, etc...I'll even build my own furniture if I have to. Personally rebuilt most of the room that I'm currently in, and by room I mean caravan/man-cave.

Short answer: option one.

 

[PunkyMcGee]

I have connections. for the simple stuff i like doing it myself but anything more complex I'd have someone I know do it.

 

[Aethren]

Why, yes, I do myself...isn't there a thread about this already?

Oh, wait-

You could always hire a Handyman.

*cough*

 

[Paksenarrion]

Why, yes, I do myself...isn't there a thread about this already?

Oh, wait-

You could always hire a Handyman.

*cough*

Don't you mean a Handy man/woman/person/robot?

Wait, that would be some kind of Handyorgy...

 

[warprincenataku]

You know, I thought this was quite a unique question I didn't even bother to search the forums. I will definitely check in the future.

Back in America I used to do a lot of the handy work myself, but after moving to Thailand I just can't compete with Thai labour prices.

Basically, I get about 500 baht an hour to teach English, but I only have to pay about 200 baht a day in labour. I go off to teach and hire someone else to do the labour, I get things done and someone makes money. It all works out really nicely.

 

[Anarchemitis]

There should be a class in highschool for "How to patch a hole in drywall so that you can get your deposit back from your landlord".

 

[Napierdalac]

Well here in Denmark labour is expensive. And seeing that i was a craftsman for 4 years before, i will allways do things myself. Except electrics, that shit could be dangerous, and if there is a fire and you did it yourself - no insurrance. But hey, i have a lot of contacts to other craftsmen to help me out.

But hopefully when im done at school, ill make so much money i never have to lift a hammer again !