Ever regret going DIY?

[Le Poisson]

Hey Bob - when we did our front porch we used a very high quality stain (Cetol) but were disappointed with how quickly it wore off in the traffic path between the steps and front door.

For this reason alone, I won't bother staining a deck that acts as primary access to the house again. Next time its Water seal only. Cheaper, easier, and no one will see that path where everyone walks.

[Lis]

I didn't regret it, but the experience made me decide I wouldn't do it again. My husband and I moved house twice, renting a truck and doing everything ourselves. The first time was bearable. The second time, it was extremely hot; we had a lot more stuff; we dropped and damaged a nice bookcase; my husband threw out his back; it was just stressful, exhausting, and totally unpleasant. The third time we moved (to our current place, in 2004), we spent about 10 seconds discussing whether we should hire movers--we were each ready to beg the other one to do so.

I just moved at the beginning of the month and 'hired' my friends to help me (paid with beer, pizza, and homemade chocolate). It was hot, humid, and I now live on a third story walk up with little tiny narrow staircases (no elevator). Now the friends who helped out were truly amazing for dealing with my inability to pack things correctly and for all the patience they showed getting my futon, couch, and larger items up. That being said, the futon collapsed twice on them, the shorter side of my L shape desk is broken, and my dresser is all scratched up. Any of it a big deal? Not really. They fixed the futon well enough where it hasn't collapsed on me yet (though who knows what'll happen when I actually lay it down), the longer side of my desk still stands, and the furniture was old and used (and free) so... eh. I've joked that I'm never moving again, but next time I do, I might hire movers. Or who knows, maybe this'll all be a distant memory and I won't remember how terrible it was.

[Retired To Win]

Since I started this thread, I've had a carpenter put up a backyard fence.  I found that my perfect compromise between DIY and paying full bore for the job was to act as the carpenter's assistant.  It saved me the cost of the second person, moved the job along faster (which I was paying for by the hour), gave me the opportunity to learn by observing, got me some outdoor time and exercise, and still kept me from tuckering myself out.  Sounds pretty good to me.

[Thegoblinchief]

Since I started this thread, I've had a carpenter put up a backyard fence.  I found that my perfect compromise between DIY and paying full bore for the job was to act as the carpenter's assistant.  It saved me the cost of the second person, moved the job along faster (which I was paying for by the hour), gave me the opportunity to learn by observing, got me some outdoor time and exercise, and still kept me from tuckering myself out.  Sounds pretty good to me.

My dad's done that a fair amount, especially with electrical projects.

[Retired To Win]

Since I started this thread, I've had a carpenter put up a backyard fence.  I found that my perfect compromise between DIY and paying full bore for the job was to act as the carpenter's assistant.  It saved me the cost of the second person, moved the job along faster (which I was paying for by the hour), gave me the opportunity to learn by observing, got me some outdoor time and exercise, and still kept me from tuckering myself out.  Sounds pretty good to me.

My dad's done that a fair amount, especially with electrical projects.

Yea.  Paying for that second electrician's "assistant" to just stand around and hand a tool over every so often has always been one of my biggest service peeves.  What a joke!