Yesterday our neighborhood had a window-cleaning party. By that I mean that a group of us went in together to pay a window-cleaning company to do our houses on the same day for a modest discount.
When I first broached the subject with my husband a few weeks ago, he immediately scoffed, "I can do that!"
To which I not-so-gently replied, "I know that you CAN, but I also know that you WON’T."
This problem plagues many do-it-yourselfers. It’s hard to justify paying someone else to do something that you can do yourself. But sometimes doing it yourself is simply more trouble than it’s worth.
We learned this when we finished our basement. My husband did everything himself except the drywall. Sure he COULD have done it. But it would have taken him months all by his lonesome in his off-hours to accomplish what a team of hired drywallers did in less than a week.
And the same is true, I learned today, with windows. We would have spent an entire Saturday doing what took three professionals 30 minutes. They had all the right equipment at their fingertips, and they had an efficient system all worked out.
We did try to save a few pennies by only hiring out the outside windows and the inside ones that we can’t reach. I was supposed to go along behind and clean the insides of the accessible windows. Easy-peasy, right? Well guess who hasn’t done her chores yet?
Note to self: Next time bite the bullet and pay for the insides too!
8 Responses
I have found the answer to the, “you can do it, but won’t” to be to metion to my husband that someone a few years younger than him and in better shape has offered to do a task for me. Works everytime. Nowadays though I have begun to enlist the services of my in-laws to help lay tile and pour concrete, with the same effect.
Once upon a time my husband told me, “If they don’t find you handsome, at least they’ll find you handy.”
Handsome will only get you so far….
Smart move!!! I am a “do it herselfer” but I’ve learned over the years that I can’t do it ALL. I have to pick and choose – there’s not enough TIME.
I have no problem with paying someone to do a job that I can do, but can spend my time more wisely if someone else takes it over. You just have to weigh what your time (or your spouses) is worth. In the past two weeks I have had the yard mulched (a two day job for me turned into a 3 hour job for a two man yard crew) and had the back deck pressure washed. Those were jobs I could have done, but it was so much easier to hire out them. I think I take a cue from you and have the windows done…I’ll get on the phone with the neighbors in the am!
I am with you. It isn’t like we’re rolling in the dough, but at the same time some things are just worth spending the money on. And how great that you teamed up with your neighbors and got a discount!A
You said: “It’s hard to justify paying someone else to do something that you can do yourself. But sometimes doing it yourself is simply more trouble than it’s worth.”
That is so true. Thanks for the thoughtful post.
My hubby said the same as your hubs but actually took it one step further and denied me the joy of having our windows professionally cleaned. He said he would rather spend the money on one of those tall ladders and do it himself than pay for someone to do it. So, needless to say, I will be looking out dirty windows for a very long time!!!
The inside of my windows are still not cleaned as well. And my screens – DH said he would do those and they still remain in the garage. Lets see if they get done before he ships out.
And all of our windows looks so nice and shiney – well worth the money! Now, for that cleaning person – you need to send me the info. Someone came out yesterday and I thought they were a little pricey – $140.
My hubby is the same way and is always saying “I can do it”. Thankfully while I completely believe in his abilities I would hate to see him waste his precious time so I help him out by handing out money to get the job done.