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NBR: Husband for Hire?
Don't get me wrong, DH loves his time with the boys, over the summer; however, I think he's already itching to get out of the house (1-2 days/week, on the days that either my mom is (or I am) off work and we have alternate care for the boys). How do I know this, you ask? - because he is OVER THE MOON excited about an opportunity to help one of my friends (a fellow Nestie) with a home repair project at her house.
Like, WHOA excited! 
Anywho...we were thinking, it seems rather silly for him to try and find a temporary, PT (retail type) job for just a few months. What kind of market do you think exists for "husband for hire" type work? I mean, he's no GC, but he definitely has experience with home renovation (our old house was a total gut job), small structural build (sheds, decks, etc.), and smallish type day-projects (hanging new doors, installing bathroom fixtures, etc.).
To make a long story, longer, I'll get to my basic question: What, if anything, would YOU hire somebody like that to do in YOUR home?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: NBR: Husband for Hire?
I would be willing to hire Mr TTT for things like...
Lawn care (ripping out some brush we have along our back fence) Maybe putting in a section of privacy fencing to hide the neighbors filth. Putting lattice around the bottom of our deck.
Small remodel work, like a new bathroom sink and vanity or the like.
Painting
Installing a paver sidewalk/patio (not sure if that's something he could do or not)
Those are the things I can think of right now, because those are all things I am hoping to get done by the end of the year and if my dad wasn't Mr. Handy Manny, I would hire someone like your husband to do them for us.
I would hire him for front entry replacement. Oh wait.....
ETA: That is super sweet that he is so excited. The feeling is mutual.
Jennie
I love my husband so but alas, he lacks in the handy department. I would happily hire someone else's handy husband for the following random things that need to be done around this house
1 - Sand and stain my deck. it's kind of a mess because the previous owners didn't take care of it. the floor of the deck is all that needs sanding, the rails and stairs just need a good pressure wash. We're just trying to get like, 2 more years out of it before we scrap the darn thing for Trex or some other composite business that isn't so high maintenance. I'd be totally fine with a handy dude doing it vs. a professional.
2 - Making a concrete paver patio type thing under my deck - not a fancy one for spending time on, just something flat to stick our lawnmower and stuff on. just needs a little leveling out and some of those big 16"x16" flat concrete tiles or whatever thrown down. Nobody even sees this area so it doesn't need to be perfect so again, happy to hire a non-professional person.
3 - Replacing random pieces of wood trim missing from our house. They're all rounded on the egde, I couldn't even begin to tell you what kind of tool you need to make wood round? I mean, of course you could sand it but, that would take for.ev.er.
4 - Making a new door frame or just making a door fit better... something. We have a door from the 'new basement' (part of the addition) to the 'old basement' (scary ass cinder block business). The previous owners screwed up the door frame some how and crammed some janky door in it that doesn't fit right... it doesn't go into the frame.. it kind of sticks behind it. I dunno, hard to explain but there definitely needs to be some cutting. I can strip, sand and paint doors but I don't cut them.
I wouldn't hire a handy husband to do plumbing, electrical or install anything that might potentially leak (roof, windows, exterior doors) just because I'd want to be able to rain down Hell's fury on the people who did that stuff if it got screwed up (and I don't want to rain any kind of fury on somebody's handy husband).
But yeah, other than that, I could think of lots of stuff.
I'm jealous of yo man's handiness.
Hannah
Hilar!
Were you able to get in touch with him, this morning?
He would feel right at home.
Thanks for your responses, ladies. It's good to know that there might be an actual market for something like this. As a first step, I think he might put together a flyer to distribute to our neighbors.
Yup! Thanks!
Jennie
sand walls and paint
install shower door
weed the yard
rip out bushes
rip out trees
organize the garage
replace the toilet
replace ceiling fan or repair broken one
uh, my house is a neverending to do list.
Here's our to do list... DH can be handy, but he is so slow it's aggravating.
1. Install retaining wall.
2. Weed/level/seed or sod our entire yard. It's horrid.
3. Fix deck. DH wants a whole new one... we just need a few boards replaced if I'm being honest.
4. Touch up ceilings where paint landed
5. Paint upstairs hall, master bath, guest bedroom. Finish paint in hall bath. Paint downstairs hall bath.
6. Hang medicine cabinet in Master Bath
7. Clean, paint and install baseboards (they're already cut... just need to look white and not dusty grey). Then install quarter round along baseboards. Replace a few strips of laminate (like 2... not far from the end either) before that is done. Install transition strips between kitchen and hall, living room and hall, and laundry room and kitchen. Install top of stair strip at doorway to the basement
8. Install flooring in all 3 bathrooms.
ugh... I could go on... my house is a neverending list too...
And on a personal note, if he's interested in of the work, send me a fbm... he'd have to talk with DH, but DH might bite as we have some $$$ set aside for some of these projects.
I'll talk to him and send you a FBM tonight. Since IL's will be in town this Thursday - next Tuesday, he'll be available for that entire time period...that is, if you are looking to get a jump on any of this work.
By ILs, do you mean your parents or his? Is this the FIL that sleeps on the dining room table?
Let me know... I'll have to talk to DH as he is not always willing to give away work (though he needs to, but that's a different story)
Things I'd be willing to hire a husband (any husband...) to do would be...
-Painting (either interior or exterior jobs outside of our basic abilities)
-Hanging/repairing drywall
-Hanging new ceiling fans and light fixtures
-Repairing/replacing shutters on exterior
-Hanging giant things like bathroom mirrors
-Staining deck or playset
-Repairing leaky faucets or replacing older faucets
-Laying down pavers for a new walkway or patio
These are all things that I always think...I wish I knew someone who could do this, because DH gives me a big head-scratching-look when I ask how these things are done.
This is my hubby...IT genius, but not so handy, nor does he have time to do any handy work. I would hire a husband. I need help with our lawn re-seeding and even mowing. Anyway, that is what I would do
DH is doing this type of stuff while he goes back to school for his teaching license. He LOVES it and really would like to get a small business going on the side for breaks and summers when he starts teaching. He has done a lot of work on our house, it was a definite fixer upper when we bought it (and there is still lots to be done!)
We have spread the word about him through word of mouth mostly. He has done most of his jobs through people at our church and friends of friends. But after seeing this post and the interest of you ladies, I think I am going to advertise him on FB! I never would have thought to do that, but there has been a lot of responses to this post!
TTT, to answer your question, he has done painting, hanging doors, floor installation, hanging drywall, staining, furniture repair, minor plumbing (such as faucet repair/toilet installation), ceiling and roof repair, caulking, and minor carpentry. So there is a definite need out there for trustworthy, good handymen, just tell your DH not to steal any of the Dayton/Northside nesties from my DH.
And there really needs to be a GTG for husbands too so our DHs can discuss all this boring home repair stuff... half the time I have no idea what he is talking about!
Landscaping. And maybe some landscaping.
Oh, and we could use some help with landscaping.
So... to answer your question, here's my current list... mow the lawn, weedeat, hang curtain rods, install toilet paper holder, finish sealing countertops, move heavy boxes, 2nd coat of paint on interior doors, hang exterior door, install door knobs on interior doors... oh, my list could go on & on!
Oh, and YGPM
Back at you.