What skill has saved you the most money?

Rosa_Damascena

I am envious of those with DIY skills but not envious enough to pick up tools myself. For me it's more cost-effective to keep earning money doing what I'm actually good at and getting the professionals in.

JohnB47

Over the last 50 years I've tackled most every DIY job except plastering. That includes a full central heating install. No idea how much I've saved but it must be a lot. All enjoyable too.

I most recently saved around £100 by fixing a faulty (actually just dirty) CD eject button on my Ruark music system.

The only thing I won't tackle now, unless it's very simple, is any problem with the car. They're far too complicated these days.

Eldi_Dos

Not the question asked, but got Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed,Shady and Dry 20m sq for £1 a box last night in our local JS,got last three on shelf. Will come in very handy to help regenerate lawn when it starts to grow again, when you see price in the shed's I am well chuffed.
Seemed like they were wanting to clear garden range so shelves could be filled with other stock.

markin

The most savings come from doing bathrooms/kitchens and involve being good at it all from Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrics, Tiling.

rob7475

The skills that have saved me most money over the years are probably general carpentry, plumbing, plastering and tiling. All these skills can be picked up with practice by most people. My plastering was terrible to begin with but once I'd practiced on a few walls, I got much better and can now get a good finish quite easily.

The only time I use tradespeople are when I need gas work or any electrical work that needs signing off. Most electrical work, I can do myself though.

I've fully renovated a couple of houses in the last 10 years and probably saved myself around 50k in labour charges. 

ChilliBob

As much as I'd like to think it's something more classically diy like decorating I suspect it's actually cooking. I'm famed for being able to make a lunch or dinner from 'almost nothing' so quite often just start with whatever is reduced and build around it with what we have.

Based on time spent, probably Sanding lol, I have spent a huge amount of time Sanding! Irritating stuff like banisters, taking stuff back go bare wood etc

comeandgo

At the moment I’m saving £100 by letting my husband clean the chimney but it’ll take me all day to clean up.

Mistral001

I have been cutting my own hair since I bought a pair of hair clippers for £25 about 12 years ago.   I do not give myself an extra short haircut so each haircut requires more than a quick run over with the clippers.  I have even devised a way of getting a neat straight hairline at the back of my neck, so I reckon the haircuts are as good as most barbers would do, even if I say so myself. So @ £8 a time that works out at 12x6x8-25= £551 saved. 

twopenny

I'd guess painting and decorating, making good must be a heck of a lot over the years.

Making my own curtains and soft furnishings. Even loose covered a georgian wing back chair which would have cost a small fortune.
The biggest was a setee for free, quality cushions that were to be skipped and loose cover. Cost £50 new would be £2000.
I'd love a new one but it's a lot for a whim.


Quite a bit of small stuff on the' give it a go' and suceeding. Or not lol.

Cleaning windows and gutters. Recommended by diy store glass cleaner for £1 which makes it a doddle. Asking at the builders yard for info. 

And savings from the kindness of strangers on here who explain what things are so I know when to get a tradesman and what can wait. Thanks folks   

danrv

markin said:

The most savings come from doing bathrooms/kitchens and involve being good at it all from Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrics, Tiling.

Yes, the big expensive jobs.
I'd draw the line at large area plastering, rewire, roofing and extension building.