Where to draw the line with DIY?

[SteveW86]

I moved into a new house a few months ago and have recently started a renovation. We are doing everything except the down stairs bathroom as that was done recently. So my question is, where do people draw the line with DIY.

We are having the following done:

Full re wire
New combi boiler
multi fuel stove to replace gas fire
new radiators throughout
plaster/skim all rooms/hallways
new coving/skirting boards
up stairs bathroom
kitchen
wood flooring downstairs
carpets stairs/landing/bedrooms

Obviously there are things in that list that I am unable to do, but where do people normally draw the line unless they are a qualified tradesman?

 

[Don Barzini]

The line is just in front of me. I’m bloody awful at DIY, there’s very little I’ll take on!

I’ll do painting and decorating. That’s all!

 

[ColchesterFC]

If it involves gas or electric that is where I draw the line. A bit of light plumbing, tiling or general DIY then I'll give it a go but I always think that if I could kill myself doing it then it's best left for someone who is qualified and obviously some of these things need to be signed off as safe to use.

 

[fundy]

dont touch wiring, plumbing/heating or plastering, anything else internally will have a go at if think im able, if not get a trade in

weve spent the last year doing our place, slight remodel with a few walls moved, new heating system and replumb the whole house, new kitchen, 2 new bathrooms, new garage door and flat roof, new double glazing (26 windows, front door and bi-folds), new fascias/soffits/gutters, new cladding to the rear, most has been replastered then weve decorated and floored throughout and added new lighting, plus landscaping front and back outside

now its on the market and were on the move again lol

 

[bigslice]

Tiling n plastering anything else is fair game . O i am a plumber

 

[ScienceBoy]

If I touch s hammer the line is a dot to me

 

[sawtooth]

I moved into a new house a few months ago and have recently started a renovation. We are doing everything except the down stairs bathroom as that was done recently. So my question is, where do people draw the line with DIY.

We are having the following done:

Full re wire
New combi boiler
multi fuel stove to replace gas fire
new radiators throughout
plaster/skim all rooms/hallways
new coving/skirting boards
up stairs bathroom
kitchen
wood flooring downstairs
carpets stairs/landing/bedrooms

Obviously there are things in that list that I am unable to do, but where do people normally draw the line unless they are a qualified tradesman?

I would have a go now at most things myself except of course where you are required by law to be qualified.

I can’t plaster so stay well clear of that.

BTW i thought multi fuel stoves were being banned? 😗

 

[ger147]

If I need a line drawn I get a man in to draw it...

 

[Crazyface]

I moved into a new house a few months ago and have recently started a renovation. We are doing everything except the down stairs bathroom as that was done recently. So my question is, where do people draw the line with DIY.

We are having the following done:

Full re wire
New combi boiler
multi fuel stove to replace gas fire
new radiators throughout
plaster/skim all rooms/hallways
new coving/skirting boards
up stairs bathroom
kitchen
wood flooring downstairs
carpets stairs/landing/bedrooms

Obviously there are things in that list that I am unable to do, but where do people normally draw the line unless they are a qualified tradesman?

Jesus, near me they knock the whole house down and start again. Looking at that list.......

 

[Hobbit]

I did everything in our first house bar the new roof. Full rewire and new central heating system, new walls and plastering. The rewire was a thing of beauty, with hidden lighting and dimmers all over the place, and a ton of sockets.

Nowadays I’ll stick with planting flowers. I even get someone in to cut the grass and dig out the borders.

 

[jim8flog]

These days I draw the line at- is it too heavy for me to lift or will I do my back in with all the bending over?

There was a time when I did everything myself because the money in the pocket said I could not afford otherwise and many years in engineering and really good books (Readers Digest Repair Manual and the RD Book of DIY skills and techniques) made it easy to learn what I did not know already.

 

[pendodave]

It's a lot better all round if I work overtime and pay a man with the proceeds.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If it involves wood, filler, paint or paper I will generally do it. Electrics, plumbing, plastering - nope - they are for the professionals.

That said - we've just had our upstairs and downstairs halls and staircase walls and ceilings replastered. I could easy decorate top to bottom but it would take me many weekends, and I have more important things to do in respect of living my life with my Mrs - so we will get it done for us.

 

[Imurg]

If I need a line drawn I get a man in to draw it...

This is so right!👍👍👍👍👍

DIY stands for Destroy it Yourself.....

 

[clubchamp98]

I am pretty good at most things but will not plaster , Gas is for experts not diy!
The odd socket is ok but full rewire you need safety certificates now .

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am pretty good at most things but will not plaster , Gas is for experts not diy!
The odd socket is ok but full rewire you need safety certificates now .

I forgot - gas is off limits for me also.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Most DIY is a bit of knowledge, a bit of skill and the drive to do it and get the finish good.

I do :-

Plumbing
New heating system
Replacing old radiators
Electrics
Wood burner
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Flooring
Plasterboarding
Coving
Taking ceiling down
Remodelling upstairs layout, new walls, ceilings etc
Tiling
Replacing roof slates on one storey
Replacing guttering
Replacing double glazing hinges/glass

Would not typically do stuff that takes a lot of skill or not allowed to by law:-

Any work you are not allowed under law
Plastering
Brickwork, if it was a full wall and had to look good
Tiling with 2 foot tiles on an uneven floor and you want the finish to be perfect
Roof tiles on a second storey house
Would also not bother with carpet fitting, as cost is not massive but cocking up would costs loads.


After renovating two houses and wasting a lot of my life on them, I hope to never do another one, have fun with yours and best of luck.

 

[Foxholer]

...So my question is, where do people draw the line with DIY.

Between the 'I' and the 'Y'!

Actually, happy enough to Wallpaper a 'simple' room! Or design/specify changes to most of the areas the OP listed - but not actually do them!

Father and Uncles were in, or could get by in, many of the trades listed! But it was one of the things that I avoided at reasonable cost when I got into the house/home area! I would sooner pay a tradesman to do the job properly, while earning (more than) enough to do so, than bodge it!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

These days I value the time I can spend with the Mrs more than the cost of getting someone in to do the work.

 

[xcore]

Il do most things, bar serious electrical stuff