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Yelling at the repair and showing it pictures didn’t work

By Todd Clark - Retired

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

October 06, 2007 01:03 PM

Well, I am certainly a real estate agent and not a handy man. I can now admit this. I had a leak in our
bathroom sink and I thought I could save $45 by spending $4.99 on a used home depot self help repair book. I WAS WRONG!

I've now spent $45 + $12 in gas and the $4.99 for the used home depot self help repair book. No matter how many times I showed the sink the picture in the book and yelled at "SEE, THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE", it still leaked!

photo courtesy of borderchld

So, now I'm waiting for a plumber to come out and fix my fix, and since it is a weekend, we have no water in our bathroom for the weekend. I might as well put a handy man on speed dial and I can tell you right now it won't be my home number that I will be calling for repairs to get done.

Hmmm, wonder if my wife would consider a second husband that is handier around the home. One that likes to landscape, fix things, and maybe watch ultimate fighting with me on Saturday nights. (It was just a thought people.)

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Gary Bland R (S) E-Pro, ABR

Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI

I am so afraid to work on any plumbing. It treated me the same way! It leaked no matter what. Good news the plumbers number is in my phone.

Oct 06, 2007 01:20 PM

Karen Webster...Grand Rapids, MI Realtor

5 Star Real Estate, Grand Rapids MI - Grand Rapids, MI

Been there. Done that. Paid the plumber double what it would have cost if we hadn't messed with it.

Oct 06, 2007 01:24 PM

Joe Zapata

Keller Williams Realty Media World - Burbank, CA

Your Burbank Real Estate Expert

I think we have all been there. Over time I have learned what I will and will not touch. My wife has been patient in my efforts and stills gives me a hard time about my failures allthough she does give equal praises to my successes

Oct 06, 2007 01:27 PM

Mary Warren

Las Vegas, NV

Todd, you are tooooooo funny! I cannot tell you the number of times my hubby messes up and he IS the handyman

Oct 06, 2007 05:43 PM

Jim Little

Ken Meade Realty - Sun City, AZ

Your Sun City Arizona Realtor

Polyamory instead of a plumber, what a concept. I think a good handyman would be a better idea. One who will work weekends and not charge extra for your having tried to fix it.

Oct 06, 2007 05:48 PM

DDR Realty

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

Orange County NY

I try to save and cut corners by doing the work myself, but sometime I too am out of my league. I think our marriages are safe, though. I'm sure the wives will honor the vows they took. The part which goes.. "For Better or For Worse".

Oct 06, 2007 08:40 PM

Portland Oregon Real Estate | Alecia Barnes - Broker

Portland, OR

As the wife of a "handy man" I can relate from the wife's perspective. I have learned that it is easier to let him do it his way first, and then he doesn't grumble as loud when we have to spend the money to do it the right way, my way (HA)

Oct 07, 2007 06:38 AM

Linda Sticklin

Home Staging & Organizing - Berwyn, PA

We were having a toilet replaced in a bathroom so I asked my husband (Mr. NOT Handyman) if he wanted to remove the old one (in an attempt to save some money). He thought about it for all of 2 seconds and said, "no, you'd better have the plumber do it." Then he had the nerve to complain about what the plumber charged!

Oct 07, 2007 07:12 AM

Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate

Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL

My husband can fix most things. We have saved alot of money. We are putting down our new wood floors next week.

Oct 07, 2007 07:18 AM

Rick Grand

nowhere - Eugene, OR

haha...you're hilarious! Todd, you can just come down to Eugene and we can watch it together! Bridget is a UFC fan! I'm so lucky :-) What else could I ask for?

Oct 08, 2007 01:15 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Gary - I think the fact that we tried speaks well for us - lol

Karen - I think plumbers should cut our costs for the embarrassment factor of having to call them, don't you?

Joe - Keep her! There are not many that will praise your achievements in home improvement.

Mary - Does he still have all his fingers? - lol

Jim - I haven't found a plumber or handy man that doesn't charge me more for me trying to fix it yet. But, when I do, they will be on my favorites list.

Derrick - I can say this was WAY worse - lol

Alecia - I will speak for your husband here. You are heading for divorce! Remember the calling the plumber was his idea and was never your way of doing it. It was always his idea! - lol

Linda - What is the problem? I think your husband is in the right! (Us men have to stick together on this kind of stuff) You know I blame the materials I was using for the job, it wasn't by fault it leaked.

Vicki - You are lucky! Keep him.

Rick - NICE! UFC Rocks!

Oct 08, 2007 05:04 AM

Mehmet Met Dilsiz

FND Photography / M2 Real Estate Solutions - Midvale, UT

Todd,

I'm the same way.. when I try to fix something, i end up spending more and more money... And, at the end, we call the plumber who charges me nicely. I think my plumber is going to retire waaaay sooner than I can :)

Oct 15, 2007 06:50 AM

MAUREEN STACCATO

Springfield, MA

Oh honey- been there done that myself! Sometimes it just doesn't pay to do it yourself, I rather save the time and hire someone if it is all affordable!

Oct 15, 2007 11:39 AM

Chris Cliff

DDIY Home Renewal - Lynnwood, WA

The Home Repair and Painting Guy

Big tricks for fixing plumbing!

#1 - Bring as many parts as you can with you and make sure what you are buying fits together.

#2 - Buy more than you need and return the rest! HD and Lowes hate me, partly because every 3 months I walk in with box of returns that are all pieces parts from various jobs.

Sep 26, 2008 01:44 AM

Mehmet - He certainly is starting to drive a nicer car than me!

Maureen - It was when I started! It was to be a $10 fix.

Chris - ROFL, that sounds like a great idea.

Mar 17, 2009 08:19 PM

Yelling at the repair and showing it pictures didn’t work

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