Question: When should I do a repair...

Question: When should I do a repair myself, and when should I call in a reliable tradesman?

Answer: A do-it-yourself project should only be done when you have the time, expertise and the tools to do it properly. Without this combination, you will be wasting your time and possibly endangering yourself and your property.

The expertise, in many home repair instances, can easily be gained by purchasing a do-it-yourself pamphlet or book from a home-improvement center or hardware store.

In addition, you must allow yourself ample time to do the project well. When both husbands and wives work, homeowners have less time to spend on do-it-yourself projects. Letting a drippy faucet go for a number of months, until you have the time to get around to it, is not a solution.

I receive several calls from frustrated homeowners who had begun remodeling projects (some as extensive as room additions) who, unable to complete the project, need to employ the expertise of a qualified contractor.

To avoid this situation, I would suggest that you do not undertake a task that you are not completely confident in handling as it may be more costly to you in the long run.

Secondly, avoid engaging in repair work for which you may not be qualified. For example, the gas meter reader informed me that the pipe leading to my swimming pool was leaking, and that it could easily be repaired by replacing a nut. Because I was busy, I called a friend who is a plumber.

He advised me that the thread on the pipe had worn out, and that the pipe itself had to be repaired, which took him two hours. I could very well have endangered myself and my property by undertaking this extensive task on my own.

Another word of caution is that proper tools are essential. A pair of pliers will not suffice where a monkey wrench is required. The actual cost consideration, when applied to the purchase of tools and material, is based on correctly performing the work.

On the other hand, there are many people who have a great deal of talent with tools, who consider this type of work a joyful hobby. Nothing can be more satisfying than a well-executed do-it-yourself project.