MSE Forum Poll: When something breaks in your home, what's your usual first step?

MSE_JC

When something inevitably gets damaged or stops working, some of us might be knowledgeable (or brave) enough to sort it ourselves while others might prefer to get a pro to do the job. But if we're being honest, a few of us will likely leave it for as long as possible before doing anything.

What's your first reaction when something breaks in your home?

Emmia

It entirely depends on what has broken.

Misslayed

it’s more like DIH - Does It Himself.

ButterCheese

If it's something like an electrical appliance then we just replace it. If it's something else then I try to fix it. If I can't fix it, we weigh up whether it's more cost effective to have someone fix it, or to replace it. The problem is, materials are so expensive now that it often doesn't make financial sense to fix things. We have planned obsolescence to deal with, and the difficulty in accessing anything for repair (moulded fixings, non-servicable parts etc), and now I believe the supply industry has made matters worse.

Simple materials like wood, fixings, glue, tools are marketed in a way that makes them look cheap. yes if you source the exact same thing from China, they can be 5 x cheaper.

Which is why i shop on Temu and pay 2-5 times less than anything on a jungle website or in the highstreet

Exodi

It depends on what is broken.

Generally I'll try and do most things myself (I replaced an entire ceiling fed shower system, valve + deluge earlier this year after a lot of research and thought) repairing electronics I'm relatively confident on (assuming it's cost effective, no sense replacing the screen on a 10 year old laptop for example), but there's somethings I won't touch - usually where the tools are prohibitively expensive or for safety reasons (e.g. boiler or gas).

ButterCheese

Which is why i shop on Temu and pay 2-5 times less than anything on a jungle website or in the highstreet

What is a jungle website - I've never heard that phrase before?

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891147#Comment_81891147

I find it curious you reject Amazon, but will happily shop on Temu.

MyRealNameToo

Totally depends what it is… appliances, have a poke around and pro repair or replace depending on its age and value. Boiler? get a pro. The annoying thing the Mrs keeps putting in the bathroom, ignore it. Mark on the back wall, move the sofa to cover it.

paradigital

I’ll try to fix anything except plumbing and gas.

If I’d have to replace something if I didn’t try fixing it then there’s nothing to be lost by giving it a go.

Dizzycap

Simple answer: It depends on what's broken and if it is a specialist repair / replace. Personally, I never mess with attempting to repair anything major such as electrics, water;plumbing, gas, or roofing because house insurance won't cover you should their be any issues relating to house fire or damage; including accidental damage. I've seen far too many people get burnt because they dabbled!

ButterCheese

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891283#Comment_81891283

I only reject Amazon if I don't need it next day. Amazon don't have a special factory where they make all their stuff. It's coming from the same source, they are just a middle man putting on a significant mark-up, and atimittedly providing a very fast delivery service (if that's a factor)

BridgetTheCat

Either professional repair or replacement for me. My disability severely restricts my ability to do DIY, which is frustrating because I know how to do a lot of it. Just another example of the way being disabled removes cheaper options.