Is Your Husband Handy?

[Saphire]

Sometimes being handy is a lot of work. My DH is out in the driveway trying to fix our teen daughter's car (water pump? radiator hose?). He sometimes gets discouraged with all the stuff that needs work around here, because he can fix just about anything. It just takes a little longer than a professional.

Next week he is installing our new dishwasher (store charges $170). Last week he fixed the ceiling in my parents sunporch. He is good at plumbing, painting, wallpapering, etc., etc. I am grateful for all the money he has saved us over the years, but feel kind of bad that it means he takes on all that extra work, besides his 50 hour work week.

Are you or your spouse handy around the house, or do you turn to professionals?

 

[olena]

We do as much as we can ourselves, but that's tough when I can't see very well and DH has mobility/balance issues. We're not afraid to call a pro when we need it. Computer problems are the exclusive domain of DH though, so at least we have that...

 

[MoniqueU]

The only handy things my DH does is fix our computers and sprinkler heads. He used to paing for a living and knows how to paint but he prefers to pay to have it done. Luckiily our favorite neighborhood kids father is out of work and can solve almost any problem and barely charges me for any of it. I do pay him but far less then I would have to pay a regular handyman.

 

[Cindy B]

Dh can do all computer related issues as well as some plumbing, painting, spackling, drywall repair and installing hardware such as dishwashers and things like that.

He can also change his own oil and does minor car repair but nothing too major.

 

[DMickey28]

My DH is not handy AT ALL and would pay to have his clothes washed if I allowed him to!! I, on the other hand, am fairly handy and love to challenge myself with tackling a project. I can't wait until we own a house!!

 

[minkydog]

It's a good thing that DH is very handy around the house because I definitely am not. I can make a meal out of green beans, leftover hot dogs and peanut butter, but I cannot operate a screwdriver. DH puts up all the ceiling fans, fixes the disposal, put in teh dishwasher, puts up shelves, fixes the screens. He has to go slow because of his difficulty breathing, but he's tenacious. He won't stop until he's done.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

Yes, very. Computers, cars, electrical, home repair, mechanical, etc. Can fix just about anything.

However, at some point, time & money for necessary tools just say have someone else do it. As we get older, and have the money to pay others instead of doing it ourselves out of necessity, it seems he decides to pay others.

For instance, its been years since he's changed the oil in our cars. Also, today, you are faced with the problem of how to dispose of the old oil.

When you are handy, you are very popular with friends too. That leaves you little time to just do what you want to do.

 

[RadioNate]

My DH is very handy. His dad was a carpenter turned engineer so he spent his youth doing "home improvement."

So naturally, now, he'd rather pay someone else to do it!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DH is good with cars, computers, basically anything with a motor.

We are paying someone to install our fence. However, it is on a rockbed and paying someone is waaaay better. My fence never would have gotten done.

We will probably pay for someone to do the deck as well.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

No. Good thing he's cute.

Although he did manage to successfully patch the hole in the drywall that he made with his elbow when he fell off the ladder trying to change the smoke alarm battery.

He is good with computers. I'll give him that.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

Super handy with everything except plumbing, but I have my dad & brother to help out there

 

[alexandria674]

with duct tape.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm pretty handy with a screwdriver, drill or hammer, but major power tools scare me. Especially power saws that can cut off a finger or leg. There are so many projects I have wanted to do myself but the jigsaw I tried to use to cut down some shelves just vibrated too much. Not only was it scary to use, it vibrated too much while cutting wood, for me to cut a clean, straight line.

Then, a few days ago, I bought the generic version of the Fein MultiMaster tool. I've been watching the infomercial over & over. It uses the same kind of saw that cuts off plaster casts after one has broken an arm or leg. So it's designed not to cut through skin & bones. It's also not supposed to vibrate like crazy while cutting.

Well, if it really does what it says it claims, and I can save so much money over hiring a carpenter to just cut 6" off some shelves and other projects, it's worth the price. But, doing a Google search last week, I found the cheaper versions came out, as Fein's patent for their $400 original version ran out. Dremel now makes a $100 Multi-Max version and I bought the $35 version from Harbor Freight just called the "Multifunction Tool."

I did some test cuts on a scrap piece of wood and couldn't believe how straight & easy a cut I was able to do, with no vibrations. And I'm a female. I am seriously loving this tool. I cut most of the shelves I wanted down and tonight I am drilling & assembling them and putting the shortened bookcase finally where I have been dreaming of putting the unit. It needed to be an exact size to fit a small cubby area.

Now, I've been seriously rethinking some renovations I have wanted to do. Originally, I had to come up with workarounds that wouldn't quite do, because they would involve too much sawing to get custom pieces to fit. Now I can do them!

Youtube: Multimaster demo

 

[PigletsPal]

Very handy with a remote control as in turning it on and turning it off.............anything else then NO...............LOL Even after 28 years I love him to death so I'll keep him...

 

[Mermaid02]

Very. Handy guys tend to have a lot of "by the way" friends... ya know the type... "Hey, how ya doing? Oh, by the way- can you come put in an electrical outlet in my new addition?"

 

[Dismom+two]

NOPE....well...not completely incompetent but....

 

[NCRedding]

Absolutely not!! DH has even broken 2 light fixtures while just changing the light bulbs.

 

[4nana]

My DH is the very best 'Jack of all Trades' I know ! Being a retired builder thankfully he is capable of fixing anything inside or outside the house from foundation to roof. Thankfully he also is our car mechanic and also enjoys tinkering with comptuers! He has definitely saved us a bundle over the years and anyone who has a question about home improvement, building, or repairs, knows to call him for sound advise. I'm definitely a lucky lady!!

 

[JR6ooo4]

A little handy...

we had an estimate to replace the 1950's galvanised pipes (just what was visible in the open basement) $1500!

It cost us $250 in copper, and a few weekends. I showed DW how to sweat the joints, and she had 100% success on all the ones she tried.

Mikeeee

 

[C.Ann]

My late DH wasn't - he worked in business and lived all his life in apartments until we married.. I was the handy one - having learned a lot from my dad..

My son-in-law can do anything - from home contruction (all phases) to rebuilding a car from the frame to completion.. It's saved them (and me) thousands and thousands of dollars over the years.. Their first home was a foreclosure (totally trashed) and he gut it to the outside walls and replaced everything - including the plumbing and wiring.. Also refinished the walls and bottom of the in-ground pool and relined it.. He's a handy guy to have around..