Some people are born with the innate talent of fixing things. They can fix the roof shingles. They can mow the lawn better than anyone else. They can fix the garage door. They know what’s wrong with the light bulb if it flickers. Homeowners used to be handy around the house. They used to be able to make cabinets without calling a carpenter.
Is that all gone now? Have homeowners gotten too busy that they need to call a professional for things that need fixing in the house? This is not about using drilling tools for mining. Those are for skilled professionals. A simple thing such as assembling a DIY cabinet or a trolley can be a challenge for many homeowners now.
There are a lot of things around the house that you can fix on your own. A leaky faucet doesn’t need a plumber. You can take a look at what could be causing the leak, for example. You can take the pipe or the O-ring to the hardware store and pick up a replacement. It’s as simple and easy as that.
What are the other things that you need to fix in your house? Why do you need to be handy? Why can’t you just call your contractor and have him fix everything?
Cost
Once you call a professional, be ready to chip in $50 for the diagnosis. You need to pay the contractor more if they need to source materials. Then, there’s the cost of labor, which is usually the most expensive component of a contractor’s fee. A leaky faucet can cost you $150 for the labor and materials. Imagine spending that money on something that you can fix yourself.
How about a DIY cabinet that you picked up from the home store? The furniture that you bought comes with instructions. You should be able to assemble it. Calling a professional will cost you $100 for a simple DIY.
Self-esteem
So many people find it hard to tackle and solve life’s problems. Sometimes, it’s better to accomplish the little things because it’s going to give you a boost in confidence. If you can tackle something that you’ve never done before, you will also have a better chance of getting out of a predicament. Most people feel that way. A boost in self-esteem is all they need to make them realize that they can beat any challenge that comes their way.
Appreciation
People who are handy at home also have a better appreciation for their house. They now know that it takes an effort to keep their homes in order, structure-wise. They will be more careful with how they use the faucet and the shower. They will also take care of how they clean the kitchen countertop and how polish the wooden floors.
Time
When you need a professional to fix things around the house, you will have to wait for them to become available. Sometimes, it takes a week for a professional to clear their schedule and accommodate you. But if you know how to fix things around the house, you’ll save time waiting for someone else to do it. You can solve the problem immediately and have your house back in working condition.
Being handy is not a matter of perspective. You don’t neglect the benefits of being handy because you have money. It’s not about the cost of having professionals fix mundane things in your house. It’s about the time it will take, as well as the self-esteem you’re going to get from fixing things yourself.
