I heard this news item yesterday and it made me very happy.
https://wgntv.com/news/features/volunteers-help-repair-more-than-75-homes-in-chicagoland/
It's very common for home repairs and maintenance to get out of control for senior citizens. This can have some unfortunate consequences for the residents and also the community. Repairs can stack up and it's really expensive to get someone to come in and fix your house.
Volunteers went into houses in Englewood and did thousands of dollars of repairs and maintenance for free. All supplies are donated. Without this, I fear that many seniors would eventually be forced out of their homes.
This is how communities are supposed to work. I got some help fixing up my house as well as help with other issues I had. It made all the difference in the world to me. My health is much better and my quality of life is greatly improved. My only regret is that I didn't do more volunteer work when I was younger.
https://wgntv.com/news/features/volunteers-help-repair-more-than-75-homes-in-chicagoland/
It's very common for home repairs and maintenance to get out of control for senior citizens. This can have some unfortunate consequences for the residents and also the community. Repairs can stack up and it's really expensive to get someone to come in and fix your house.
Volunteers went into houses in Englewood and did thousands of dollars of repairs and maintenance for free. All supplies are donated. Without this, I fear that many seniors would eventually be forced out of their homes.
This is how communities are supposed to work. I got some help fixing up my house as well as help with other issues I had. It made all the difference in the world to me. My health is much better and my quality of life is greatly improved. My only regret is that I didn't do more volunteer work when I was younger.
I did apply for volunteer work about a year ago and I was rejected. I made a thread about it and I don't want to dredge it up because it is very sad. I wanted to volunteer to help myself, to get out of the house. I knew I had a whole lot to offer but... too old too sick too disabled etc. It was a major blow to my ego; the experience made me feel worse that before and I felt really bad before.
I was on one of my daily long walks when I stopped to pet a dog. The woman was very enthusiastic and introduced herself as the director of the local ASPCA. She commented on how well the dog responded to me and said I should have a dog. She also said that she could really use my help at the shelter and that I ought to volunteer. I pointed out that I did in fact apply for a volunteer position at the ASPCA, and that I also applied to adopt a cat, and that I was rejected for both and that it was her that sent me the email of rejection. She seemed really uncomfortable and just left.
I bet if she would have agreed to meet me she would have changed her mind, but she did not agree. I hope she thought about it, being all smart like she is. People are more than just a resume, or a blog on the internet. And she was wrong to reject my offer I think, even though my health was very precarious at the time.
I was on one of my daily long walks when I stopped to pet a dog. The woman was very enthusiastic and introduced herself as the director of the local ASPCA. She commented on how well the dog responded to me and said I should have a dog. She also said that she could really use my help at the shelter and that I ought to volunteer. I pointed out that I did in fact apply for a volunteer position at the ASPCA, and that I also applied to adopt a cat, and that I was rejected for both and that it was her that sent me the email of rejection. She seemed really uncomfortable and just left.
I bet if she would have agreed to meet me she would have changed her mind, but she did not agree. I hope she thought about it, being all smart like she is. People are more than just a resume, or a blog on the internet. And she was wrong to reject my offer I think, even though my health was very precarious at the time.
I occasionally see these lawn/driveway/cleanup videos on utube where tradies go and help (for free) some random that is unable to do some property work themselves.
I frequently think, well, this wouldn't be needed if the locals took turns to help this person.
I almost never see one of my next door neighbours as they are busy as heck.
I have my spinal issues, but when I mow, it takes me maybe 2-3 minutes to do their nature strip.
One really large lawn divided against maybe four neighbours is an extra hour at most a month.
It's sad that threads like this even exist.
I frequently think, well, this wouldn't be needed if the locals took turns to help this person.
I almost never see one of my next door neighbours as they are busy as heck.
I have my spinal issues, but when I mow, it takes me maybe 2-3 minutes to do their nature strip.
One really large lawn divided against maybe four neighbours is an extra hour at most a month.
It's sad that threads like this even exist.
I don't think you want your neighbors working on your house. I've seen some terrible electrical wiring in houses before. These people are licensed tradesman - electricians, plumbers, etc.
In Chicago there are very strict building codes. You can get in trouble down the road (like with your homeowner's insurance) if repairs are done wrong and/or without a permit. And Englewood is not a middle class neighborhood; sadly it's the kind of neighborhood that people move out of if they can afford it. Anyone with an electrician's salary would have long moved out of Englewood, trust me.
Just the other day in Bronzeville, another Chicago neighborhood, a concrete porch collapsed on some workers that were repairing the porch. My friend saw one of them on TV and said he was a straight up hood rat. These guys didn't have the first clue what they were doing, and both of them were injured. And now the building (a beautiful old greystone) will need very expensive repairs. A wrought iron fence was destroyed too.
In Chicago there are very strict building codes. You can get in trouble down the road (like with your homeowner's insurance) if repairs are done wrong and/or without a permit. And Englewood is not a middle class neighborhood; sadly it's the kind of neighborhood that people move out of if they can afford it. Anyone with an electrician's salary would have long moved out of Englewood, trust me.
Just the other day in Bronzeville, another Chicago neighborhood, a concrete porch collapsed on some workers that were repairing the porch. My friend saw one of them on TV and said he was a straight up hood rat. These guys didn't have the first clue what they were doing, and both of them were injured. And now the building (a beautiful old greystone) will need very expensive repairs. A wrought iron fence was destroyed too.
It is a worry getting older.
I sell a bit on ebay but the standing in the queue at the post office puts a strain on my old legs.
Luckily my eyesight is still ok even for SMD soldering although I do need reading glasses for close work.
I try to keep busy to keep everything working ok.
I do a lot of software to keep my brain working.
I sell a bit on ebay but the standing in the queue at the post office puts a strain on my old legs.
Luckily my eyesight is still ok even for SMD soldering although I do need reading glasses for close work.
I try to keep busy to keep everything working ok.
I do a lot of software to keep my brain working.
Here in Australia..... anything electrical, data, plumbing, gas fitting, structural, solar, etc etc is supposed to be done by licenced people.
I have had licenced electricians ask me questions that they should not even have to think about.
I have also had people that have done training courses for auto electrics ask me things they should either know or be able to work out in seconds.
I'm all for licenced trained people. But honestly, some of them scare the hell out of me.
Then again, the general populace are not immune to the 'It can't be that hard' mindset.
There's a house three streets away for me.
Owner had solar panels installed, he decided he can put in a battery system, not that hard right ? right ???
After it caught fire and severely damaged his house, his insurance was denied when they worked out the battery system was not done by a licenced installer.
It took him years to get his house repaired.
Friends sister has a mowing company mow her property. These idiots cut it at the lowest setting the mower will go.
It always looked like scalped dirt with no grass at all.
Once they were told to 'go away', another place took over, and now she has actual grass to enjoy.
Make something idiot proof, and they will invent a better idiot.
I have had licenced electricians ask me questions that they should not even have to think about.
I have also had people that have done training courses for auto electrics ask me things they should either know or be able to work out in seconds.
I'm all for licenced trained people. But honestly, some of them scare the hell out of me.
Then again, the general populace are not immune to the 'It can't be that hard' mindset.
There's a house three streets away for me.
Owner had solar panels installed, he decided he can put in a battery system, not that hard right ? right ???
After it caught fire and severely damaged his house, his insurance was denied when they worked out the battery system was not done by a licenced installer.
It took him years to get his house repaired.
Friends sister has a mowing company mow her property. These idiots cut it at the lowest setting the mower will go.
It always looked like scalped dirt with no grass at all.
Once they were told to 'go away', another place took over, and now she has actual grass to enjoy.
Make something idiot proof, and they will invent a better idiot.
It's somehow similar in Germany.
Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge. 🙂
But when something goes really wrong, an appraiser orderd by insurace company comes along and looks into the last corner to find a minor mistake and who is responsible for that. Then it will become ugly and expensive.
But there are also many qualified seniors and helpers that do a great job and many are not just bunglers.
But it can be difficult to please everyone and they may not be up to date with the newest regulations.
Insurance companies are like ugly calf-biters when they can avoid or delay paying. Sometimes for good reason and sometimes not..
DIY gas fitting is one of the biggest No No's here. For good reason.
Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge. 🙂
But when something goes really wrong, an appraiser orderd by insurace company comes along and looks into the last corner to find a minor mistake and who is responsible for that. Then it will become ugly and expensive.
But there are also many qualified seniors and helpers that do a great job and many are not just bunglers.
But it can be difficult to please everyone and they may not be up to date with the newest regulations.
Insurance companies are like ugly calf-biters when they can avoid or delay paying. Sometimes for good reason and sometimes not..
DIY gas fitting is one of the biggest No No's here. For good reason.
That mowing company was a spherical idiot (an idiot from any perspective).
If they cut it higher instead, they'd mow more often and make more money.
True but you'd hope someone in this position would understand the most basic functions of a multi-meter.
Doctors are the only job where you really can bury your mistakes....
And why do they call it a 'practice' ?
Doesn't make me feel to trusting.
We're working on preparations now, to make that a little easier in the forthcoming years. Things like those 3 trees that dropped all the leaves needing our cleanup every season. The roof, the deck, the floors, the fence. There will come a time when it's just too much to - say - climb up there, or drill out / dig out a concrete post hole.
Or bother to put the lock nut on the conduit going into the meter. The ONE place I can’t go back and fix “mistakes”. That loose fitting doesn’t inspire confidence that they even bothered with the bushing either.
I am having a weird experience that stops me going out to any shopping mall any longer. I lost my leg a year or so ago and when going shopping with my wife, instead of going into the shop, which I have hated since boyhood, I wait outside. The problem is a shameful one. Many times a passer-by would put a few bucks in my lap, saying have a nice day, hope it helps. I feel absolutely like a turd since I arrived in an X5 and wears a Rolex. But I guess when I did it to others in the same position in the past, I should rather be thankful that there are still some people who actually cares about their fellow man.
Yes, very expensive. What I’m finding out is that the difference between remodeling, renovation and major repairs and NEW construction is night and day. Costs more to go back and fix than to start over. Contractors who overhaul around here charge about 3X on average what it would go cost at retail to buy all the stuff and do it yourself. It’s just double, or even less, on new construction. It’s a Big deal when what you’re doing has four or five zeroes. And you don’t get that 3X back in property value either - you just get actual value. It’s also much more difficult to redo a kitchen laundry or bath when you’re still living there. Far easier when empty, especially if you’re DIYing it. Someone flipping a house isn’t going to pay those crazy prices - they have folks that will do it for less. Especially if they’re got the GC license and all they do is hire day labor.
Senoirs making their last stand somewhere just aren’t going to bother to fix it at all, given the costs and how much of a nuisance it could be. Even the major work needed here is waiting till I leave - needs both bathrooms and a new septic system.
This is the Lounge. We can converse about this stuff here. I hear your pleas. When navigating the job market, my forty years of experience and expertise buys me a cup of of coffee-so long as I throw in a couple of bucks. What we are facing here in the States, as well as world-wide, is a mental health crisis of epic proportions. Fact is divorced from reality. Every dog is in it for himself. Most folks claiming to be Christians have no concept of what that actually means. The lowest common denominator is elected to lead the free world. The house next door is on fire and we could give a flying ****. The middle class has all but vanished. I do not wish to complain. My destiny is in my own hands. Until we get a grip on the afore mentioned mental health crisis, our gear selector will be in reverse.
Yes the cost of contractors to fix your house is sky high. I'm planning a project this year. Since my house is now so clean and fixed up I want to replace the dingy siding and fascia, since it now sticks out like a sore thumb. I got a couple quotes and it's between $12-15,000, out of the question. I only have siding on the front and rear gables and a pop-out. I looked at the itemization and $1,250 for flashing for ONE window (not even one of the big windows) really caught my eye. It's about $25 worth of sheet aluminum, tops. This gives me an idea just how inflated the prices are. I can imagine paying a metal tradesman $300 TOPS for this one item installed. I can't bring myself to bend over for this.
Luckily I know a guy "in the trade" and used him before. He's a window installer by trade and owns his own metal brake and all the stuff for making flashing. I'll buy the all stuff myself and get him and his guys over here. I'm looking for $5,000 all in, hopefully less. I also have to pop for pizza and beer, my pleasure.
Luckily I know a guy "in the trade" and used him before. He's a window installer by trade and owns his own metal brake and all the stuff for making flashing. I'll buy the all stuff myself and get him and his guys over here. I'm looking for $5,000 all in, hopefully less. I also have to pop for pizza and beer, my pleasure.
That's pretty terrible. An inspector should catch it right away I would think.
I had a similar issue in my house - not at the meter or service box, but at a branch circuit. Two outlets in a room registered "open ground" which is uncommon for EMT installations. I went one box back, wiggled the conduit and the fault was intermittent. Tightened the lock nut, fixed.
I wonder how much that simple fix would have cost if I had to call "The Man"? I'm going to say $500 to ring my doorbell, walk downstairs and poke around for three minutes tops.
Last edited:
I guess the utility co. figured since it’s plastic pipe nobody would care. But if movement and vibration wears through the insulation 50 years from now don’t go blaming me.
EMT or no EMT I’d be using a ground wire. How much does one strand of green #12 THHN cost anyway?
A $500 15 minute fix is called “the cost of doing business”, also commonly known as “taking advantage of seniors”.
EMT or no EMT I’d be using a ground wire. How much does one strand of green #12 THHN cost anyway?
A $500 15 minute fix is called “the cost of doing business”, also commonly known as “taking advantage of seniors”.
This craziness also started here a few months ago. Old 4 year technical education is "expired" and a few days course can make unexperienced people "certified". It is just avoiding liability and putting power in the hands of the employers again as the certificate/license is handed out by the employer and it is not transferable if you find another job.
Not a good development but sold as "safer". Truth is one really sees such a licensed person work alone and they have generally no in-depth knowledge but can do a just learned trick like installing solar panels. It is a good excuse to hire cheaper laborers too.
Last edited:
Some structures require this. My house was not wired this way nor was it rewired this way.
You have to think about installed price. 12 gauge solid THHN costs about $1-1.50 a foot off the roll. How much per foot installed? I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised it it was $4-6 a foot installed. Also there's a limit on how many wires you can run through EMT and for half inch that's 6-12 or 14 gauge wires.
Remember, these guys charge you $150 to ring your doorbell.