Why does it feel like I can't be allowed to do it myself?
I appreciate professionals and craftsmen, and recognize that they have honed skills that can make a job go so much faster with better results. I learned this lesson the hard way, finishing drywall; getting a corner bead correct - looks easier than it is. I had all the right tools and materials, but just not enough experience for it to go quickly or look right when I was finished.
But I've also had many disappointing experiences with guys who didn't know what they were doing and didn't care. Especially in auto repair. So I believe in craftsmanship, and in safety, and in professionalism, but I don't want to spend my money on someone just because they claim to be a "professional" if I am going to get average results.
On the Electrical board I saw a short discussion on how pro's use metal staples while a DIYer will use Nylon cable straps, and you can always tell an electrical job was NOT done by an electrician if the Nylon was used. The NEC says the Nylon straps are safer because they won't penetrate the cable by mistake, which is why I use them, but an electrician knows how to staple and he does it all day long and he's just not going to put a staple through the romex, period.
If I do the work in a workman-like manner, and follow the regs, I should be okay. But an inspection will reveal that it was indeed a DIY, and I didn't hire an electrician. So because of the permit and inspection I need to hire an electrician?
Also, I don't even get the idea of the permit. See, it seems more like a way for the city to raise money than a way to keep standards high. It isn't like the city is going to come out and supervise, give helpful hints, or loan me their tools.
I've just got too much work to do to hire professionals, and I enjoy learning how to do it myself, and getting satisfaction from working with my hands on my own property. I want to understand what is going on in my house, and not let someone else make decisions for the outcome. And because I'm willing to put the time into it, I'll lay bets that the results will be a higher quality.
So why do I feel this pressure that it is okay for me to water the lawn and pull the weeds, but for really important work, better hire a professional?
I appreciate professionals and craftsmen, and recognize that they have honed skills that can make a job go so much faster with better results. I learned this lesson the hard way, finishing drywall; getting a corner bead correct - looks easier than it is. I had all the right tools and materials, but just not enough experience for it to go quickly or look right when I was finished.
But I've also had many disappointing experiences with guys who didn't know what they were doing and didn't care. Especially in auto repair. So I believe in craftsmanship, and in safety, and in professionalism, but I don't want to spend my money on someone just because they claim to be a "professional" if I am going to get average results.
On the Electrical board I saw a short discussion on how pro's use metal staples while a DIYer will use Nylon cable straps, and you can always tell an electrical job was NOT done by an electrician if the Nylon was used. The NEC says the Nylon straps are safer because they won't penetrate the cable by mistake, which is why I use them, but an electrician knows how to staple and he does it all day long and he's just not going to put a staple through the romex, period.
If I do the work in a workman-like manner, and follow the regs, I should be okay. But an inspection will reveal that it was indeed a DIY, and I didn't hire an electrician. So because of the permit and inspection I need to hire an electrician?
Also, I don't even get the idea of the permit. See, it seems more like a way for the city to raise money than a way to keep standards high. It isn't like the city is going to come out and supervise, give helpful hints, or loan me their tools.
I've just got too much work to do to hire professionals, and I enjoy learning how to do it myself, and getting satisfaction from working with my hands on my own property. I want to understand what is going on in my house, and not let someone else make decisions for the outcome. And because I'm willing to put the time into it, I'll lay bets that the results will be a higher quality.
So why do I feel this pressure that it is okay for me to water the lawn and pull the weeds, but for really important work, better hire a professional?