Not a DIY'er, need some advice

[steve2470]

Hello all,

My first foray here, thanks for having me. I am buying an older condo that needs some minor fix-up work. A DIY'er could probably do this in his/her sleep but I'm not a DIY'er and I don't know any.

Problem: Is hiring a general residential contractor overkill ? If it is, what is my best step ? I know I could learn how to fix all the problems but past experience has taught me that I suck at fixing things.

The list of problems: missing tile grout, loose floor tiles, broken ceiling fan, knockout breaker tab missing from electrical panel, ductwork has vapor barrier wrap needing replacement, toilet loose at the floor mount.

Thanks for your time.

Steve

[PoliticAverse]

1. Sounds more like something a competant hired handyman could handle. n/t

[Auggie]

2. I agree. Just be sure they're licensed.

[steve2470]

3. I found these people. Look ok ?

http://orlando.handymanconnection.com/handyman-home-repair-services.aspx

[PoliticAverse]

5. In my experience handymen are best hired based on the recommendations of local people that have

used their services.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. Also a recommendation from a condo neighbor. Someone who knows the building.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

4. If your buying it is about time you apply yourself.

Everything you mentioned is easy to fix. Your going to have start learning to trim the budget sooner or later anyway-why not start now ?

Just because you have a little extra money now does not mean you should spend where you don't need to.

Building supply stores such as home depot so on have free how to fix repair literature and video's as well as instruction secessions.

Since you own a condo now- now is the time to get hot on learning how to fix and repair things. All it takes is the ability to learn and sticktoittiveness.Meaning don't stop untill it gets fixed.

You will find that there is somebody knowledgeable at each department- plumbing-electrical-flooring on and so on. Ask a lot of questions-they are there to help the do it your selfer.That is how the store makes money selling Chineese goods !

Good luck- and try your hand at it now rather than later.Save yourself some money.

[leftofcool]

8. On the other hand, hiring a local handyman stimulates the economy

Most handymen do the jobs they do because times are tough and they need the money to help feed their families. We live in a rural community so even the small DIY jobs we could learn to do ourselves we hire out simply because the handyman a mile over may need the money for groceries and we are never hurt letting go of a 100 bucks or so for repairs.

Left of Cool

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

9. This is true however

even I cannot be everywhere at the same time ! I always taught people how to do some of those small fixies and on many ocasions gave phone instructions ! If that didn't work and it seemd bad- I would stop by the next morning on my way to a job ! Most ladies believe it or not actually have a home fixie tool box -and I myself use those tools -saves me a trip out to the truck.

And they save everything, left over parts,-nuts,bolts everything- thats the buket where you can always find the thing that you need.

A good handyman doesn't have to look too far for too long to find work- work finds the handyman.A person who can work n all phases of construction is a contractor- handyman is the same thing., it is just a softer title or lable.It's all about experience or that of gaining experience.

The educated home owner knows where to draw the line -or knows when to bring in a professional. The educated home owner knows how to use tools !
Experience is education !

Along the line of the economy- it's up it's down ,there is a over abundence of work ='s overbooked- or yer getting by. Scraping by means paying the bills.

The point in contract work- or being a handyman is being multi versitle-having more than one field of specialty -the ability to combine all of yer experience into expertise-rather like having more than one degree- and the ability to convert yer talents into other fields- for example-many contractors go into reality-, sure they start off by selling homes or condo's to first time buyers. Naturally all the experience gained in contracting adds perfectly when crossing over to selling property.

So really it's all about being multi versitle.Actually it always has been.When the economy is going full swing-you would rather pay somebody to do all the fix'es. And When things are tight- you do what you can and you bring somebody in when you must.

A good handyman also works with the clients budget. That stands to reason when building a clientele. the handyman's clients are also the home owners contractor.That means a good handyman can build a house !

That's what I mean when I say-handyman is just a softer title.!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. Loose tiles and missing grout is indicative of an improper tile job....

And often requires a tear out and re-do. I'm not saying it can't be fixed but I would hate to see you spend any real money on a temporary fix when there is probably an underlying issue with the substrate or too much flex in the floor.

Assuming the floor is where the problem is. Wall tile is usually more forgiving to bad tile jobs. Unless you have water deterioration of the wall substrate.