MSE Forum poll: How capable are you at doing DIY?

MSE_JC

There's a bank holiday approaching (at least at the time of posting this!), which means many people will be thinking of attempting some jobs that need doing around the home.

But while some seem comfortable knocking together an extension or retiling a bathroom, others find putting up a shelf or changing a fuse to be an uphill struggle. (I once tried to apply fresh sealant around a bath and it looked like there'd been an explosion at a marshmallow factory).

How handy do you consider yourself to be when it comes to all things do-it-yourself?

Eco_Miser

I can change a fuse, even re-wire a plug (if it's old enough to be re-wire-able), and I know how to use a screwdriver and electric drill - I just don't often feel the need to.

BridgetTheCat

It’s frustrating because I know how to do painting and decorating, car maintenance, building flatpacks etc, but I’m no longer physically capable of doing it. Handymen/women never seem to finish the job to my standards.

horsewithnoname

As long as it’s not plumbing electrics or gas - things that can kill you - I’ll have a go. Love a bit of flat pack, decorating and such like and I find it very satisfying to think “I did that, and it looks okay”. 

Always, and the older I get, increasingly, happy to pay a professional though. 

MyRealNameToo

There should be a two step question... how capable do you think you are? how capable does your partner think you are? 

Im capable of fixing and changing things, Im not so good at making them look pretty again after

Chloe_G

I can wallpaper.

Arctos

There are some jobs I used to tackle, including basic plumbing and electrical; however, two things put me off now. Most significantly, I'm not so young as I used to be; secondly, there is an increased complexity: piping is now of different diameters and it's not always easy to find connectors. Thank goodness my son-in-law knows what he's about [he built and fitted his own house!] so he fitted a replacement shower for me in a fraction of the time that I would have taken. I did find that the tradesman who fitted my plank flooring only did part of the job, and left bits that slid and left gaps. I was glad that I didn't let him take all the bits away. That flooring took so long and we were so hacked off we just wanted him out, and I sorted all the defects.

Bah_humbug

I am capable of doing more than I want to. I find I lack energy and enthusiasm nowadays. 

mlz1413

I will do low level DIY. Put up pictures,  paint, decorate etc.

I recently wanted shelves put up and asked my partner to do this as he is a builder.  1 month later I asked him to show me on one shelf how to use the drywall fixings and I would put up the other shelves.
1 month after that asked for names of handymen on local Facebook group, but 1 month later I decided to do it myself!

I watched various YouTube videos, bought a £40 drill/tool set from Amazon and had finished the work in a day.
I shall be doing more of my own DIY now I know i can.

Lorian

I find it's best not to tell people what you can do. 

MattMattMattUK

Lorian said:

I find it's best not to tell people what you can do. 

To a certain extent I agree, I rarely get to visit my mum or sister without being given at least one DIY related job to do, usually multiple jobs, or something complicated. It is the same with IT, as soon as people find out that one is mildly competent there is a never ending stream of requests when things stop working, do not work as intended, or the user is just willing to learn now to do the task properly. 

Need a new PC, or need to upgrade or fix one, I do it myself. I paint, put up shelves, re-seal bathroom silicone, build/assemble furniture, fix hinges, minor plumbing and electrical work (happy to change a socket, never going to touch a consumer unit), I have laid flooring, replaced skirting boards, happy to install and re-fit the front on integrated white goods etc. I cannot hang doors so always pay someone to do that and any serious plumbing or electrical work I would get someone in who was professionally qualified. 

There is a wealth of information available online, plenty of guides online, all one needs is a little patience and most things are achievable.