Really Getting Back into Working on My House - DIYers, Let's Rock!

[Cherry Brigand]

I'm a pretty good DIYer. I'm not a high-level carpenter or woodworker or plumber or anything, but I can tackle most things. My first house had a lot of work that needed to be done and thanks to my dad, I learned SO much. We also have finished two basements together. My DIY character sheet would be (10 being a professional):

Electrical - 7
Drywall - 7
Tiling, Floor - 7
Basic Household Maintenance (Caulking, repairs, etc): 7
Framing - 5
Basic Plumbing - 5 (would be willing to install sinks and stuff, just haven't. Have done lots of faucets)
Automotive - 5 (change brakes, rotors, routine maintenance)
Tiling, Wall - 4
Lawn and Garden - 3 (but improving- replaced two sprinklers all by myself and saved over $85.00)
Painting - 2 (it's like coloring and i suck at coloring.)

In any event, we have a lot going on. Insulation installs, Sod installs, landscaping projects and we're flirting with finishing our attic... I can't seem to get enough of it right now, and I'm kind of excited to spend time and energy on these things.

 

[Otto!]

That’s awesome. There is a lot of satisfaction in doing the work yourself, and you obviously save a ton of money. I find it very rewarding to look back and say “I did this”.

My only advice is to leave the electrical and plumbing to the pros, as it will cost you a lot more if you mess it up and have to get it redone afterwards.

Best of luck in your project!

 

[Bald1]

It's pretty cool that you're handy and willing to do work. Having said that most journeyman tradespeople are 7s at their trades and professional handymen maybe 4s.

 

[xHeadx]

We have a painting & remodeling business. About 90% of what I've learned is self taught. Love learning new things then putting into action. Very satisfying completing a project or fixing something on your own. I'll post some pics shortly. I have to shrink them down for posting. Thanks Sherdog.

 

[Oblivian]

My thought used to be that I'd just hire to have everything done as my time is more valuable, but it's so damn hard to get people to actually show up around here. I did all of the baseboards and trim in our house due to this. I built a wainscot wall. I'll install new lights and fans. I've done flooring once, but I don't think I'd do that again. I hired out drywall work. I do not enjoy doing the work honestly.

 

[xHeadx]

It's pretty cool that you're handy and willing to do work. Having said that most journeyman tradespeople are 7s at their trades and professional handen maybe 4s.

So true on the handyman part. We mainly do large projects but will help out neighbors from time to time. We often are asked about our rates. I explain that my guys aren't handymen but skilled workers in their craft. You're paying for their time & expertise. Want cheap work, higher the handyman. If highering for skilled work, I'm going after the specialist, not the jack of all trades.

 

[Cpt Migraine]

Best of luck sherbro..

Few investments are better than owning property and doing professional work or work that will pass for professional on it..

I'm ok at building things but uninformed on american standards.. used to be a carpenter but got into the more papery part of construction..

 

[plataoplombo]

It's an amazing skill to have. I try to teach my kids as much as I can whenever I fix or remodel something. Out of everything on your list I like framing the most. It's a nice ego boost seeing stuff you built standing the test of time. I can do plumbing but god it pisses me off if something leaks.

 

[Long Dark Blues]

I just finished my last room! The whole house is finally completely remodeled; plumbing, electrical, insulation, drywall, flooring, etc. I did it all.

All that's left is to hire a roofer to put on a new roof, as its approaching the end of its 20-year lifespan. Roof over the original part of the house has a 10/12 pitch, steep as fuck. I'll let a pro do that.

After that, I'm not touching another fucking thing ever.

 

[xHeadx]

It's an amazing skill to have. I try to teach my kids as much as I can whenever I fix or remodel something. Out of everything on your list I like framing the most. It's a nice ego boost seeing stuff you built standing the test of time. I can do plumbing but god it pisses me off if something leaks.

Love that you involve the kids. My son, 15, works with us when he has time (school & sports). He paints & works all of the power tools: table saw, miter saw, routers, circular saw, drills, etc. I walk through what he needs to do, show him how to do it, then let him go. If he fails, no biggie, I fix it. He learns so much this way.

 

[xHeadx]

Resized a random assortment of different projects.

• Construct walls, install barnyard door, custom guitar case:

• Custom Cherry wood entertainment center

• Privacy fence repair

• Accent wall paint

• Brick repair

• New light installation/replacement

I'll post butcher block pics in a separate post.

 

[xHeadx]

Walnut butcher block for a friend. Here's the process:

1. Mill lumber
   • Ensure edges are straight
   • Plane to thickness
   • Cut into strips for edge grain glue up
2. First glue up
   • Scrape glue
3. Plane again
4. Cut into strips for end grain glue up
5. Second glue up
   • Scrape glue
6. Sand like a motherfucker
   • 80, 150, 220, 400
7. Route edges
8. Route grooves
9. Fill in any gaps/natural defects
   
10. Sand like a motherfucker again
11. Clean with mineral oil
12. Buff with board wax
    • Bees wax & mineral oil combination
13. Enjoy! Don't forget maintenance

Pics:



I have built other boards that I'll post later.

 

[plataoplombo]

Love that you involve the kids. My son, 15, works with us when he has time (school & sports). He paints & works all of the power tools: table saw, miter saw, routers, circular saw, drills, etc. I walk through what he needs to do, show him how to do it, then let him go. If he fails, no biggie, I fix it. He learns so much this way.

That's awesome. It's a huge skill to have, he'll definitely appreciate you when he has his own place.

 

[plataoplombo]

Resized a random assortment of different projects.

• Construct walls, install barnyard door, custom guitar case:

View attachment 853608

• Custom Cherry wood entertainment center

View attachment 853610

• Privacy fence repair

View attachment 853611

• Accent wall paint

View attachment 853614

• Brick repair

View attachment 853617

• New light installation/replacement

View attachment 853620

I'll post butcher block pics in a separate post.

Never worked with masonry before. Would love to learn to lay brick / block.

 

[Cherry Brigand]

Seeing some of these photos and stories I may have rated my skills too high!

 

[xHeadx]

Seeing some of these photos and stories I may have rated my skills too high!

I'm almost 100% self-taught. There are tons of videos & reading materials out there. Just roll those sleeves up & get your hands dirty. Practice, practice, practice & safety, safety, safety! Measure twice, cut once.

 

[xHeadx]

Some additional pics of cutting boards & butcher blocks.

• Cherry, Walnut, Maple: Made for one of my sisters

• Cherry, Walnut, Maple: Made for my wife

• Wenge, Cherry, Purpleheart, Maple: Set made for a friend

• Padauk, Cherry, Maple, Walnut: Set made for a nephew

• Maple: Made for a friend

More pics to come!

 

[PurpleStorm]

Love these kinds of threads. Home improvement kicks ass and you can save yourself a lot of money by planning & doing things well. Personally I enjoy reading and seeing photos of these types of things and then spending time planning them out. I usually hire a friend to do the repairs / upgrades so that's a good feeling as well. Right now I've got a porch roof repair that I'm planning & thinking through. There's a nice guy down the street who is doing some work on another home and I'll probably call him to do most of the actual work. Just gonna plan and thoroughly think it over before going hog wild on spending. Anyhow, thanks for all the pics and stories. You all rock. Respect.

 

[xHeadx]

A few other random things.

• A few pieces of furniture restored

• Bird houses made from a leftover pallet

• Floating desk & shelves

• Work bench for the shop

 

[Phlog]

I've done a bunch of other people's houses but I'm most proud of my parents house and my house.

In mine I gutted it, installed a polycarbonate staircase, new heating system, insulation, suspended loft floor, new kitchen, knocked a wall through and filled up a doorway, installed a shower room etc.

In my parents I have done everything from the landscaping and drains, to the electrics, laid every block and tile myself, didn't buy roof timbers, made em etc etc. Also conserved a haystore there with my dad and got an award for it, runner up to Wells cathedral.

This is their house that I'm externally insulating and cladding at the moment. I didn't make the windows or fit them, every thing else my hands.