I just wrote a post a few minutes ago about 'The Bandwagon' and all of the folks climbing on-board to trash a book based on its title.
But there is something else that has been bugging me...
There is a disregard for DiYers that I see all too often. It comes from agents, inspectors and others. There is an assuption that if the home owner does ANY repair to their home, it will be sub-standard, not up to code, poorly executed and solely for the purpose of killing kittens and puppies.
I am a car hobbyist. I do a LOT of my own work, and I have spent a good deal of that time correcting the work of professionals. And of course there is the time I have spent arguing with technicians and service advosirs about exactly what needed to be repaired.
It isn't that I am perfect... it is that they aren't either. And there is something else... There are a LOT of bad professionals. There certainly are some great ones, but plenty that just don't give a turd for the quality of their work... do it fast, cheap, get paid and get out.
But the home owner often has another motivation... not doing it again. There is usually pride in their ownership, too. Of course, if they are selling the home, then maybe that doesn't play as large of a role. But I have seen a lot of home owners going to great lengths to make sure that the home they delivered exceeded the expectations of the buyers. Just as I have seen sellers of collector cars search out that last little part for the buyer... even though they didn't have to do it.
Mom always said something else... Don't Assume...
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I'd love to hear from you...
You must feel alot better-- getting this all off your chest. Blogging is so therapeutic-- and educational! Thanks for posting- both of them! Kathy
The logic shines thru. Any profession has average, way way above average and home owners come in the same different skill colors.
Amongst we humans there are and will always be the good, the bad, and the awful plus the exceptional! The problem, if not knowledgeable, is deciding on the category whomever you are dealing with fits in!
Sue of Robin and Sue
You know what happens when someone assumes. It can turn out really bad.
There's a guy here in Kansas City who went to the trouble of finding original keys that work in all the locks in his 1920's home.
Lane - There isalways more than one way of doing things around a home. Every plumber or electric will do tasks differently than other professionals. As an inspector I look first at if the work is safe. I have seen both poor work and great work from both home owners and professional. You are right about the pride of ownership I have seen some great work by home owners.
Hey, I can caulk better than ANY professional--don't like to but, I don my rubber gloves, wet cloth and that caulk line is perfect! It annoys me when it is demanded that a professional do the work when, even during the sale of their home, many homeowners' pride in their property is reflected in the perfectionistic work that they do--far superior to that of a professional.
It's hard to beat pride of ownership - if the owner knows what they're doing. I've seen wood work, tile & landscape that beats anything a professional puts out. Even done some myself. But I wouldn't touch a spark plug in my car - you've got to know your limits.