However, for the adventurous few or do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiast, fixing a leaky tap or hole in the wall is not only a cheaper alternative it can also be a rewarding experience.
Granted, the DIY option is not for everybody. But for those willing to “get their hands dirty,” tackling simple household repairs is not as difficult it may seem.
Tips for DIY enthusiast
Simon Tee, a 42-year old accountant and DIY enthusiast, says there is a wealth of information easily accessible for individuals that want to tackle repairs themselves.
“My wife would always complain that I was bad with my fingers,” he enthuses.
Tired of his wife's complaints (he jokes) and having to pay ridiculous prices for tiny breakdowns in the house, Tee says he started researching DIY tips “whenever and whereever” he could.
“I started looking up DIY and home maintenance books for reference and, after a while, I developed an interest for it. So much so that it became a hobby.”
Tee says he is now able to do an array of household repairs ranging from simple plumbing jobs to fixing small leaks in the roof.
K. Vijay, 37, is a part-time “handyman” when he's not working as a dispatch clerk for a legal firm in the Klang Valley.
“I first started fixing stuffs for my family and friends, and then through word of mouth, I became a repairman for hire,” says Vijay with a chuckle.
Vijay says he grew up observing his uncle take on household repairs and “learnt the tools of the trade” from him.
“Learning from an expert or someone who knows a thing or two about fixing things in the house can help save you a lot of money and reduce the need to hire an expert. Sometimes, even the hardware store guy can give you a pointer or two.
“Being able to perform simple things like fixing your clogged toilet or leaky tap also provides you with a sense of accomplishment,” he says.
Tee says that with the Internet, learning to do things yourself is virtually “just a mouse click away.”
“You can get a lot of information from the web through blogs and social media like YouTube. There is a wealth of information out there. You just know where to look and put a little effort into it.
Tee adds that individuals can slowly invest in fix-it tools as they take on more jobs.
“Instead of buying in bulk, just get the tools that you need. Build (your portfolio of tools) as you go along,” he says.
And what kind of repair jobs should be tackled by the DIY enthusiast? Well, that's up to the individual, says Tee.
“It depends, really. Some jobs may be easy for some and tricky for others. My philosophy is to attempt something at least twice. If it's still not fixed, then call an expert.”
Getting an expert
Being non-professionals, there are only so many things that a DIY enthusiast can tackle.
Paul Chan, a professional plumber for over 30 years, says hired help does not necessarily have to be expensive.
“If you're unsure, ask around and see what other experts are charging. But if it's all along the same line, then you know for sure that you're not being fleeced.” He says individuals should not attempt to solve something themselves just to save a few ringgit.
“It's better to pay a bit more and get a professional to fix it then to stinge on the money and try to work on it yourself only to botch it up and end up incurring a higher cost.”
Vincent Liew, a seasoned roof repairman, says there are limitations as to how much a DIY enthusiast can do.
“Non-experts should never attempt anything that's dangerous and risky or requires skills and expert knowledge.
“Similarly, an individual should not attempt to repair something that requires tools that are either expensive or need expert skills to operate,” he says. Chan concurs, pointing out that safety should be paramount when doing any type of repairs.
“It is also not advisable for non-experts to attempt jobs that require intensive and long hours or a lot of people to do. Why not just leave that to the professionals?”
Fix it quickly
Regardless of whether you're getting an expert or will be tackling the repairs yourself, the most important thing is to rectify the problem as soon as possible.
“Never put to tomorrow what you can do today,” Chan enthuses.
“It may cost a few hundred ringgit to repair, but if you let the problem remain, it will only get worse and end up costing you thousands of ringgit,” he says.
Chan recalls one of the roof repair jobs a customer had asked him to do when it was “almost too late.”
“This person had a leaky roof but water only dripped into the house when there was a heavy storm, so he let it be.
“Until one day, a huge part of the ceiling just collapsed because the internal roof damage became so severe. The guy was practically crying when he called me!”
By The Star
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