sagetrees t1_jdw2fv9 wrote
I don't need to call anyone. What they gonna do? Have a look and tell me what I already know? Yep you've got mice in your ceiling! No. shit. I'm trapping them already.
What is someone else gonna do besides charge me $$ for something I am already well aware of and dealing with myself?
Not everything requires a professional. Some things are just obvious and you deal with them.
Actually-Yo-Momma t1_jdw7meh wrote
What’s next? You gonna tell us that you can service your own HVAC and swap the engines in your car? Obviously if you know how to deal with it yourself then have at it. Majority of people were never taught or know where to start on how to properly deal with infestations which is why the entire job profession exists at all
-baskets- t1_jdwgg3s wrote
Most of us weren't taught. It's insane what some people are unwilling to try though. I used to do handyman work and got paid $50 to swap out light switch covers in a room once. Which is fine, I mean easy money. But there are YouTube videos for everything, including swapping out motors and working on HVAC.
Madmorda t1_jdwlikw wrote
I would absolutely service my own HVAC. The only reason I wouldn't put a new engine in my car, is because I don't have access to a lift to lift the engine up, and that would likely make the price difference.
Recently a pipe burst due to a freeze, and I learned how to drill out a messed up pipe when it couldnt be cut off, and attach PVC to ABS and install a new valve. Good as new, and only cost me some time and a trip to the hardware store.
Oftentimes, you can buy the tools of the trade for less than you'd spend on the labor for one visit. And the best part is that you get to keep the tools to save even more money next time, plus you gain the knowledge to help yourself and others.
It's not about "being taught", it's about being willing to teach yourself. You don't need to go to trade school to get rid of mice or work on electronics. You just need to be willing to roll up your sleeves. It pays off in the long run.
Actually-Yo-Momma t1_jdwrj4o wrote
Pays off for you maybe which is great. Others pay professionals for peace of mind
Madmorda t1_jdws5qg wrote
There are plenty of crappy "professionals" out there. Peace of mind is an emotion, not a fact. You would be AMAZED at the crappy jobs I've seen "professionals" do lol. In fact, I never let anyone else fix electronics for me, because I know for a fact that 90% of people do a worse job than me
Actually-Yo-Momma t1_jdwtabi wrote
The topic of bad contractors and professionals is a whole separate discussion. Im simply stating that’s what they are paying for
Otherwise you get into this endless argument of, Omg just learn how to build a house from scratch and maintain it all yourself
Madmorda t1_jdwvqbp wrote
You SHOULD be able to maintain your house yourself lol. If you want to pay a premium for a random person to do your chores, that's fine. There's nothing wrong with hiring a contractor, any more than there's anything wrong with hiring a maid. If you have money to throw at a convenience, that's awesome for you! But it's not about that.
My point is that when your pipes burst during a freeze, and the plumbers are all booked out 2 weeks, you'll be screwed if you A) don't even know the basics and B) aren't willing to try. Not only will it save you a lot of money, but you can help yourself (as well as family and friends) out of tough spots like that. It's a super basic skill, and your great grandparents would probably smack you upside the head for not knowing how to do basic repairs.
It's kind of like never learning to boil water. I don't need to boil water on a daily basis, but it's a basic skill that grown up humans should have. You could say that you have peace of mind letting Olive Garden cook your pasta, but at a certain point, you're just being willingly ignorant.
CeciliaNemo t1_jdx2bty wrote
Boiling water is a fuckton easier than learning basic plumbing, and not everyone’s good at the same things.
roughedged t1_jdwdipl wrote
Service providers hate him!
jbaby23ak t1_jdxhjr8 wrote
Of all the things to do in the world, out of the 2 you picked... I could actually do one. And that made me oddly proud of myself. Thank you?
ZachTheCommie t1_jdwaoeo wrote
Agreed. Most people don't have thousands of dollars on hand to deal with pests and cleanup. A flying squirrel got into the crawlspaces under my roof last year. I found its entry hole and sealed it up with void-fill foam. Problem solved.
carolathome t1_jdw7dd3 wrote
We had some gaps between roof and outside walls that were patched up. Trapped the racoons and took them to a park to let loose. Smaller critters almost impossible to block out. Use the electronic screamers to keep rodents out.
_CadX t1_jdwtt57 wrote
They don't work, if they did, poisons wouldn't exist. They have those devices for every animal known, seems a bit fishy no.
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