It pays to be handy
Yesterday I finally received the last of my major appliances: a washer, a dryer (don't worry... until now I've been washing my clothes at my parent's house), and a water softener. When I bought these pieces from the salesperson, he asked if I'd like to include installation with my purchase. It was almost $200 to have it done.
I declined.
Was it the money? In part (see below). But it was also a combination of “guy mentality” and home-ownership. Besides, if they're going to delivery it to me and place it about one metre from where it'll sit for the next several years, surely I can do a little plumbing work to install the water softener; and the washer/dryer can't be rocket science. Right?
So, as I said before, yesterday I received these three pieces. Let me give you an update on where the install process is currently: the washer would be installed except that I don't have a socket wrench to release the drum braces (for packing/delivery); the dryer would be done, except that I need eight feet of rigid 4" metal tube and two 90-degree elbows to connect it to the exhaust pipe (and why finish the job if I can't wash my clothes); and the water softener... well, once I start the job I'll have to finish it. Cutting into your main waterline isn't the sort of thing you rush.
Did I make a mistake then? Should I have paid for the install? Heck no. While I've outlined my stumbling blocks above, none of them are major obstacles. I can borrow some tools; the 4" piping is an easy purchase from Home Depot, and the softener... okay, that's a big job. But it's also an adventure, and this may be the key here. Everything about owning a new home is an adventure (except for the paperwork and bills) and being able to take part in something that will quickly become as much a part of the home as, say, your stairs are, is very cool. I want to be able to look at these appliances whenever I'm done there and think, “Hey, I installed these”.
But I did mention the financial aspect of it all as well. We all know my opinion on the local phone company by now, but by not having them install the phone line, I've saved myself about $250; add that to the $200 I'm saving my installing my recent appliances, and I'm up something like $450. When you consider everything that I've spent in the last six weeks getting groceries, setting-up utilities, etc., etc., it might not seem like much, but I'll save a few bucks and savour the reward of doing a little work around the house.
Is this for everyone? No. If you're not into the whole “house repairs” thing, or you're ready to risk being without water in your home for a few days, then yeah - pay some nice person to do the work for you. If I lost you at the top of this entry when I said “socket wrench” then it's probably money well spent. That said, I'd suggest that everyone at least consider it; it's not an adventure without a little excitement. Just remember to read the instructions - cover to cover - before you start anything! They're there for a reason.
I declined.
Was it the money? In part (see below). But it was also a combination of “guy mentality” and home-ownership. Besides, if they're going to delivery it to me and place it about one metre from where it'll sit for the next several years, surely I can do a little plumbing work to install the water softener; and the washer/dryer can't be rocket science. Right?
So, as I said before, yesterday I received these three pieces. Let me give you an update on where the install process is currently: the washer would be installed except that I don't have a socket wrench to release the drum braces (for packing/delivery); the dryer would be done, except that I need eight feet of rigid 4" metal tube and two 90-degree elbows to connect it to the exhaust pipe (and why finish the job if I can't wash my clothes); and the water softener... well, once I start the job I'll have to finish it. Cutting into your main waterline isn't the sort of thing you rush.
Did I make a mistake then? Should I have paid for the install? Heck no. While I've outlined my stumbling blocks above, none of them are major obstacles. I can borrow some tools; the 4" piping is an easy purchase from Home Depot, and the softener... okay, that's a big job. But it's also an adventure, and this may be the key here. Everything about owning a new home is an adventure (except for the paperwork and bills) and being able to take part in something that will quickly become as much a part of the home as, say, your stairs are, is very cool. I want to be able to look at these appliances whenever I'm done there and think, “Hey, I installed these”.
But I did mention the financial aspect of it all as well. We all know my opinion on the local phone company by now, but by not having them install the phone line, I've saved myself about $250; add that to the $200 I'm saving my installing my recent appliances, and I'm up something like $450. When you consider everything that I've spent in the last six weeks getting groceries, setting-up utilities, etc., etc., it might not seem like much, but I'll save a few bucks and savour the reward of doing a little work around the house.
Is this for everyone? No. If you're not into the whole “house repairs” thing, or you're ready to risk being without water in your home for a few days, then yeah - pay some nice person to do the work for you. If I lost you at the top of this entry when I said “socket wrench” then it's probably money well spent. That said, I'd suggest that everyone at least consider it; it's not an adventure without a little excitement. Just remember to read the instructions - cover to cover - before you start anything! They're there for a reason.
