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  3. 183726-20253

Forced to DIY

Sometimes we don't want to DIY things, but we are forced to.

After living in this house for 2 years I was finally ready to get a plumber to deal with the leaky kitchen faucet.  Turns out all the plumbers in the area are backed up from January's cold snap which broke many pipes and put them behind.  I literally can't get a plumber.

I may not be rich enough to buy D'Agostino or Boulder but I sure as hell can hire a plumber.  If I could find one.  So instead of hiring a plumber, and swiping my credit card I have to do it all myself.  New strap wrench, 2 valve kits from Moen even if the faucet literally says Kohler on it, and an hour later I have a faucet that doesn't leak.

Right now my integrated is causing me some issues.  I am honestly tired and I'd rather pay to fix it, but the effort to find a qualified tech and package and ship the amp is so much more work than I would need to fix it myself that yet again, I'm DIYing it.

Mind you in a lot of ways I like doing DIY projects, but the plumbing and this particulare issue are not really that. 

How about you?  Have you found yourself driven to DIY at home or in your stereo because the alternative was just not feasible?

erik_squires
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,825 posts
 

I'm so DIY, I've never considered getting a professional. 

designsfx
795 posts
 

During my working career I hired out almost everything purely because of a lack of time. Now that I’m retired it’s completely different. I actually don’t mind letting professionals do the work when they demonstrate a high level of expertise. I hate having to come back and rework something because it was rushed through in a half ass manner. But to answer your question- if it’s within my understanding I usually DIY!

grislybutter
3,111 posts
 

haven't hired a plumber in 5 years. Learned to fix everything myself. With their quotes of $350+ an hour, it was the best thing to learn lately

corelli
996 posts
 

Can't imagine wasting money on a plumber when so many fixes are very basic things and quite easy.

Most of my Audio DIY are cable related as I like neat custom length installs on my systems.  But I have opened up electronics and done multiple repairs or occasional mods as well.

I would not trust most repair places these days and I would never ship my gear-would end up with more problems than I started with I fear.

So what is your concern with replacing that IEC? 

erik_squires OP
16,128 posts
 

With their quotes of $350+ an hour, it was the best thing to learn lately

 

This is also an issue.  I redid almost all of  the breakers, most of the outlets and switches in this house, and installed new fixtures, etc. and in that case money was definitely an issue.  DIYing it let me do it a a small part at a time. 

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