3 Reasons Why You Aren’t a Professional Handyman

With your nails, hammer, and the biggest roll of duct tape you could find on sale, you may get the false impression that you too can be a handyman. While it isn’t a bad idea to learn how to do some simple maintenance and quick fixes around your home, there are several projects that are simply too complicated and require much more experience than your casual do-it-yourself repairman is prepared to handle. If you still aren’t convinced that you can save your house from slowly following apart at the seams with a bit of improve and lots of faith, here are three big reasons why you should leave the tough stuff to an experienced handyman.

1. Tools

If your toolbox consists of a hammer, some loose nails, and a glue gun, you aren’t armed for many projects other than hanging up some family portraits and putting together some cracked plates. A true home improvement person has a well-thought out arsenal of items on their side to ensure they are ready for any problem that might pop up. A sampling of a good toolbox should include a cordless drill with several different bits, handheld screwdrivers in various sizes and types, needle nose pliers, a wrench, measuring devices, and several varieties of screws, nails, and anchors. That is just scratching the surface as more the more serious handyman will also have larger power tools including electric saws and table equipment as well as outdoor tools and plumbing supplies.

2. Practice

To be a great home improvement professional it takes a few years of practice. Experience goes a long way and the more projects you immerse yourself in, the greater prepared you’ll be to tackle new ones. The best handyman will have read several books as well as started projects from scratch in addition to repair work. If you’re overwhelmed and unsure where to begin, consider taking a class at a local community college in a useful subject that interests you such as wood or metalwork. There are also books available from the library and a wealth of free information on the internet. Don’t start dismantling your pipes or try to install a toilet immediately though. Start with small, manageable projects such as hanging shelves, repairing broken appliances, and performing routine house maintenance to get you warmed up.

3. Well-Roundedness

A good carpenter can jump from repairs with ease. Some prefer to specialize with a specific material or area such as metal or electronics, but more often than not they have mastered a few subjects and have a broad understanding of many others. A handyman should feel as comfortable repairing broken roof shingles as he would feel cleaning bathroom pipes. In the time it takes you to figure out how to replace that broken glass, a home improvement professional could have done it as well as flushed the gutters, get rid of the squeaking stair, and put an end to a drippy sink. So unless you have hours to spend researching repair manuals and going through the frustrations of trial and error, get an expert to give you a hand.