DIY: More Muck
Fitzpatrick-Peg, I’m shocked. Has the ever-trusty defender of Do-It-Yourselfing come over to the Dark Side? The side of evil anti-DIYers who have Professional and Craft tattooed on each buttock?
Back in the archives are a series of posts I wrote in the anti-DIY theme. Mostly, they concerned the lack of quality and skill in the actual building and the lack of respect for professional craftspeople so many of these hobbyists have. I never even touched on design. But it’s a skill like any other.
Lack of knowledge of design history is evident in so many DIY projects, especially in choice of materials. News flash: Granite countertops don’t belong in most older homes. How would the average person know this, when all new homes have them and all the home centers are selling them? They wouldn’t. They need a professional. Luckily, the things are so damn heavy, DIY’ers are usually forced to have them professionally installed.
The sad thing is that while so many DIY’ers believe they are improving their homes and the value of these homes, often they are costing themselves money and value. When I look at homes clients are considering purchasing and they’ve been “remodeled,” I immediately know we’ll have extra work. The raised panel cherry cabinets and granite counters the seller installed in his 1960’s ranch house must be torn out and replaced with something that fits the house--maybe flat panel maple with a quartz countertop. So his $50,000 kitchen remodel he’s so proud of is worth nothing to me and my clients, and we’ll say so when it comes to negotiating the price.
However the ranch house owner can take heart. Ignorant homebuyers abound who will be delighted with the bastardized, but new, kitchen. More power to them. They will never know their mistake and it’s no good Peg or I telling them. Because when you deal with a person’s home these days, you’re dealing with their ego-projection of themselves. Everything in our lives has become “My Space” and is supposed to reflect our individuality, our characters, our “lifestyle.” This is the way advertisers sell us more junk. So when you criticize, or simply attempt to improve a consumer’s taste choices, you’re basically attacking their ego. And it can get ugly.
So Do-It-Yourself away, but don't labor under the impression you're saving money or adding value to your home in the long term, unless you really, really know what you're doing. Or you're best friends with me and Peg.
Back in the archives are a series of posts I wrote in the anti-DIY theme. Mostly, they concerned the lack of quality and skill in the actual building and the lack of respect for professional craftspeople so many of these hobbyists have. I never even touched on design. But it’s a skill like any other.
Lack of knowledge of design history is evident in so many DIY projects, especially in choice of materials. News flash: Granite countertops don’t belong in most older homes. How would the average person know this, when all new homes have them and all the home centers are selling them? They wouldn’t. They need a professional. Luckily, the things are so damn heavy, DIY’ers are usually forced to have them professionally installed.
The sad thing is that while so many DIY’ers believe they are improving their homes and the value of these homes, often they are costing themselves money and value. When I look at homes clients are considering purchasing and they’ve been “remodeled,” I immediately know we’ll have extra work. The raised panel cherry cabinets and granite counters the seller installed in his 1960’s ranch house must be torn out and replaced with something that fits the house--maybe flat panel maple with a quartz countertop. So his $50,000 kitchen remodel he’s so proud of is worth nothing to me and my clients, and we’ll say so when it comes to negotiating the price.
However the ranch house owner can take heart. Ignorant homebuyers abound who will be delighted with the bastardized, but new, kitchen. More power to them. They will never know their mistake and it’s no good Peg or I telling them. Because when you deal with a person’s home these days, you’re dealing with their ego-projection of themselves. Everything in our lives has become “My Space” and is supposed to reflect our individuality, our characters, our “lifestyle.” This is the way advertisers sell us more junk. So when you criticize, or simply attempt to improve a consumer’s taste choices, you’re basically attacking their ego. And it can get ugly.
So Do-It-Yourself away, but don't labor under the impression you're saving money or adding value to your home in the long term, unless you really, really know what you're doing. Or you're best friends with me and Peg.
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