Why Help DIY'rs?

[Ernesto]

After the recent round of bantering with that DIY guy about his wood floor glue and how got his attitude became so detestable loathsome and pestilential toward our members whom were giving him FREE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, I find it difficult to engage anymore DIY'rs with their problems trying to figure out how to install a floor professionally.

Makes me wonder if these same people would give their time out for free with people about their trade. Just saying.

 

[DarisMulkin]

Actually probably 99% don't take our advice anyway. But if the 1 % that does is a accomplishment on our part.
What really gets my goat is when they argue with us that their way is better.

Daris

 

[Floorist]

Some really appreciate the advice. Just ignore the others and don't respond to them.

 

[havasu]

Appreciation posts after helping makes it all worth it...yep, those are few and far between though,

 

[Ernesto]

Well you can't stop the DIY fad in flooring, or about any other trade. People have to learn the hard way sometimes.
After a lengthy discussion with my friend Howard on another florum thats exclusively wood, we decided it is not in our best interest, nor other installers across the nation when we help the DIY crowd do our jobs. Kinda like cutting your own throat, especially in hard times.

Like you said, most don't take the advice, some barely understand it and most more than likely cannot perform it to our skill level anyway. Then there's the dangerous aspect when they start handling power tools and saws, fingers go flying off.

So why do it? It can be detrimental to them and our fellow installers. Now if they are asking advice about certain issues and specs, quality I can see helping out a consumer. But not a DIY'er. Sounds a little selfish but considering the recent one that visited here, fahgetit.

 

[Nick]

I see it as taking food off my table .
I don't mind helping other pros , and fixing their confusers when they have a problem. I spent a lot of money on Certs , and paid my dues doing this for 40 yrs . Not giving it away .

Why they don't ask the guy that sold them the floor is beyond me .
Oh Wait, I know . They don't have a clue .

 

[Jon]

Years ago I went to a dentist or similar. He asked me why the stupid lino layer put patches on the external corners with the coved vinyl. I explained to him and asked for $50. Do you think I got it or as discount? Well we were both giving our professional services werent we? He was telling me what was wrong with me and me with his vinyl job

 

[Ken]

Askhole - noun - someone that constantly asks for advice but never takes it.

I think forums are a great way to exchange tip and tricks. I also think that some people do abuse the good intentions of posters. While i understand the frustration I like to think that helping others with less experience is good kharma and will come back around. All you can do if offer advice, whether they take it or not is up to them.

 

[Ernesto]

I think my karma level topped out. As been, said helping out is great, you vet that warm fuzzy feeling inside for a few seconds. The poor installer who might have gotten the job to help put food on the table is SOL.
DIY forums are great for bringing in traffic, great for the pocketbook of then owner who has people volunteering their time for free. I was under the impression this was a pro-forum only.
The Diy'r can go to a slew of other forums out there. Which reminds me. Why don't those box stores have their own DIY forums? They're the ones who started all this DIY krap in the first place. Let then get the advice from them.
Helping out the consumer that's in a jam from a bad install or has questions about a product is different.
Perhaps we should screen them and ask if they are going to hire a pro or not. Most times they volunteer that info.

 

[Ken]

That thread was a little difficult to follow. Im assuming one of you guys (maven?) pulled your posts?

 

[FloorMaven]

I'm a DIYer, will try pretty much anything. I usually don't ask for advice but can often find the answers I need in my research; usually from questions asked by others. Whether its payback or paying it forward I'll still help a DIYer if I can.

I certainly don't see it as taking food off my table. Quite the opposite, I get plenty of work from DIYers who just couldn't do it. Arming folks with the knowledge often gives them the incentive to give it a go- to later realize they simply don't have the skillset to accomplish the task.

Flooring installation is a combination of common sense and skill, but more common sense me thinks. It not like I'm telling someone how to transplant a liver. They'll find the answers eventually, best that they ask first and even better that they give it a go rather than pay good money to some schlub. The possibility exists that I might learn something as well.

 

[Floorist]

It's up to each of you whether you want to help a DIYer or not. I understand if you don't. That one on here was an A-hole. I ask questions on a lot of other forums about doing other jobs. I don't mind helping someone if I can. I have explained to posters how to do a job and then they tell me they are glad they didn't try it, and are going to find a pro.
Sometimes we get a poster asking questions and I don't care for their attitude, so I just don't offer advice.

 

[Ernesto]

Its funny we're a specialized trade, least that's what they call our tools.lol
But if you learn most of the flooring fields your building walls, doing plumbing, some electrical, block in some instances pouring crete, patching, grinding, subfloors and joists etc. We are a well rounded tradesmen. I learned a lot from my dad who could do most anything, he could build an entire house. Plus I was in a few other trades prior to flooring so I don't really need any DIY forum. Gimmie an instruction manual and I can repair an appliance, or what have you. Cept maybe build a confuser my kid does that though.

 

[Ernesto]

Then there's a few things I dont wont bother with and will hire a pro like a good HVAC tech, my mechanic. Hmmmm that's kinda about all I can think of.

 

[Floorist]

Its funny we're a specialized trade, least that's what they call our tools.lol
But if you learn most of the flooring fields your building walls, doing plumbing, some electrical, block in some instances pouring crete, patching, grinding, subfloors and joists etc. We are a well rounded tradesmen. I learned a lot from my dad who could do most anything, he could build an entire house. Plus I was in a few other trades prior to flooring so I don't really need any DIY forum. Gimmie an instruction manual and I can repair an appliance, or what have you. Cept maybe build a confused, my kid does that though.

I grew up the same way. My dad owned a construction company and did everything except flooring. Well, he did install an occasional hardwood floor and did lino a couple times. But I work on old cars a lot and ask questions about that. I also get an occasional tip on woodworking even tho I have custom made furniture for several years. It is just impossible to know how to do everything.

 

[Ernesto]

I'll also do minor auto repair work and service stuff, most anything in the outside of an engine. Cept these new fangled cars. Don't like getting my hands to grease up.

 

[Incognito]

Our work for the most part is basic and simple enough that anyone with an average IQ, a strong healthy body and access to the tools and instructions can install simple layouts over marginal substrates.

Only higher end materials, detailed layouts, screwed up slabs and subfloors and then TIME require our specialized skill sets.

In other words I'm cheap if the job is difficult. On something simple you could do it yourself. I'm also cheap if TIME IS MONEY because I'm going to blitz through the job as fast as I can.

I figure a do-it-yourselfer is working with an unlimited time frame and VERY limited budget. So they're NOT going to pay a pro regardless. They would just have to live without an improved floor or they just enjoy working with their hands and experiencing a little of the Blue Collar sweat, pain and stupidity we live with day and and day out. I have plenty of sweat, pain and stupidity to share with anyone who cares to listen.

 

[Ernesto]

I see plenty of DIY jobs gone south when doing inspections. It's not they cant pay for them its they are just either cheap or the mindset which has been implanted into their brain by THE BOX STORE 'YOU CAN DO IT" has them believeing they can when they really can't.
Go take a one hour seminar at a box store and your a friggin expert.

 

[Darol Wester]

I do understand the frustration with this topic, but, I too have been to many forums as a DIY to get help in things I'm not up on. Whatever it may be, I can get it done here at home, within reason. I would be at a loss if those help forums weren't there. Mostly for the money I'd be paying out to get someone else to do it. An incredibly helpful tool for everyone. I'd hate to think of doing without it.

 

[DarisMulkin]

Aren't we all DIYers in some sense. If we weren't you would sit in a chair all day and ask for help getting up.

Daris