DIYers in Denial

[hammockhogs]

I'm guilty here. I have been researching things for years.... not to mention the maintenance and projects I "need" to do on my home

[DivaB]

I think I've been pretty up front in my time on DIY also...and for me it was all the UnderQuilts that did me in.

[gmcttr]

yep. a contractor friend said he made $500 in two days. he just didn't count one day setup, a day getting the job and the day doing other estimates where he got no work. actually $500 that WEEK

You can count on the fact that he didn't figure vehicle expenses, tool/equipment expenses, insurance, accounting, taxes and all the other overhead costs. I have an acquaintance just like that.

I spent a couple of hours this evening clearing out my work space so I can start a new tarp. Does that time go on the tarp or the last three projects and my bad habit of piling things up?

[SilvrSurfr]

The payoff to me is when you do a second DIY project of the same nature. Because you've already done all the research and you already made one, the fear factor and unfamiliarity is gone, and you can fly right through the second one.

I did all the electrical in my house - probably took me six months easily because I didn't know what I was doing, nor did I know how to use any of the tools and materials. I had a kindly electrical inspector to point out how little I knew, and had to redo. When I built a new garage, it took me two days to do the electrical, because I knew what I was doing.

The confidence you gain from DIY projects is great. I can't believe I'm even operating a sewing machine. It's not too late for old dogs to learn new tricks!

[Funkyleebasick]

i am definitely guilty on the diy side of it, but with work i say it's about a 20 minute drive. really it is about 10, if i don't do it this way i wont be late as often. but when i make my hammock stuff, i spend way too much time researching and thinking.

[Doody]

what is this "Research" you speak of? My DIY projects go pretty quickly. Pretty horrendously as well.

[Brute1100]

I like the research of it all... I like the learning, even learning about things I don't care about... It's just good to learn... But yes I use a lot if time researching...

[Manchego]

Research is just getting to the point of deciding what you want to do. It doesn't count till you start actually doing what you want to do

[grok]

I'm about to make yet another DIY hammock. If this is the culmination of the time and materials of all the others, this is a $10,000 hammock! Will post of Ebay!

This does bring to mind my grandfather. He would sit on the porch and whittle all day until he had nothing left but a tooth pick. As the sun went down he would rock in his chair and pick his teeth. He was the most content man I've ever known.

[Ramblinrev]

There are only two reasons why the time expended in peripheral activities is important.

1: You are trying to make a profit.
2: You need to justify your making gear.

1: Trying to make a profit takes you into a business mode and there total elapsed time is important. But that's not DIY.

2: No DIY addict worth their salt should have to justify their activity. So the issue is moot.