| A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman is Mechanically | | | | sequence of operations, I could see the only problem |
| inclined | | | | was a sensor. This particular job took two hours to |
| I have done installations and repairs most of my life. | | | | complete. If you don't know how to proceed, call |
| During this time I specialized in three different fields. | | | | someone that can guide you. |
| Get tired of one, and then learn another quickly. I | | | | A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman does not consider |
| was an auto mechanic, installed and serviced | | | | the job done until all the detail work is done, even if |
| commercial kitchen equipment, installed and serviced | | | | it is only cosmetic. |
| heating, cooling, and refrigeration. I am retired now, | | | | A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman tests the job to |
| but still do a little occasionally, mostly consultation. | | | | be certain it works correctly. |
| A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman takes the time to | | | | A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman cleans up |
| do the job right the first time. | | | | afterward. |
| Some people just don't get it. I have seen people | | | | For most handyman jobs, your local hardware store |
| spray paint a large machine shed in an hour or two. | | | | probably has someone that can tell you how to |
| They turned the pressure up too high, stood back at | | | | proceed. In spite of the ads we used to see, almost |
| a distance, sprayed the top half of a wall, them the | | | | all hardware stores have a "handy hardware |
| bottom half. No way could they know how much | | | | (wo)man". If you are working on any kind of |
| paint they were applying. Thin spots would show up | | | | specialty equipment, get to know the people in your |
| in time, and they did - quickly. | | | | supplier's service department. They know the |
| A job like this should lead to referrals to more jobs, | | | | sequence of operations, so can tell you what to look |
| but because of shoddy workmanship, it led to none. | | | | for. |
| This type of work does not establish a reputation, at | | | | If you are starting a project you have not done |
| least not a good one. | | | | before, check with your supplier before starting the |
| A Good Do-It-Yourself Handyman knows when to | | | | job. Ask what you need to do to prepare to do the |
| call for help. | | | | job. |
| If you can't figure something out, call someone that | | | | For instance, if you plan to paint your house, you |
| can explain what you need to do. | | | | need to check the condition of the surface to be |
| I have gone on calls where another firm worked on | | | | painted before starting. If a wall has dead paint on it, |
| an appliance for a week, and did not cure the | | | | new paint is likely to peel if you don't clean off the |
| problem. They replaced at least one expensive part, | | | | dead paint before starting a new coat of paint. Your |
| with no improvement in performance. | | | | hardware or paint store can advise you of the best |
| If you know how it works and the sequence of | | | | way to proceed. |
| operations, the job is usually easy. Following the | | | | And use the best quality materials you can afford. |