• Plumbing – all large bathroom and kitchen renovations need a licensed plumber
• Electricals – fuses and light bulbs are OK, but anything else needs a professional.
• Major structural work e.g. demolishing walls, especially loadbearing walls. Even professional builders need council approval to remove a loadbearing wall.
Changing a washer:
• Before you change a washer, turn the water mains off
• Then find the tap at the lowest point, and turn it on, so the water can drain out.
• Then it’s easy – unscrew the tap, remove the old washer and replace it with its perfect match
• If in doubt, take the original to a hardware outlet to ensure a correct match.
• D.I.Y. Saving: $80 (average plumber call out fee)
Resealing wet areas:
• Corners are more susceptible to cracking, so use a flexible silicone instead of grout.
• Stops water getting behind the tiles and damaging the walls
Fixing Loose Skirtings:
• Re-secure the skirting boards to the wall, using screws.
• Patch the holes with a filler
• For cracks, use “No More Gaps”
Realigning a Sliding Door:
• Try raising the door height via the locking nut, which often needs tightening.
Last tips:
• Just like your car, regular maintenance is essential to save money in the long run.
• Most handymen charge about $50/hour plus parts
