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Updated about 9 years ago,
Resources for learning DIY
Hey BP Community!
One of the most interesting things to me in RE is flipping. But there are some minimum required construction skills when doing a rehab, that an investor should understand, in order to at the very least communicate with a contractor (or even help doing some things, thus saving $$$). So I figured I shared some of my ideas on how I learned some of the DYI skills.
1) Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity. Not only you'll feel great about your community service (you get to meet the future owners, and see how you're helping make a difference in their lives), but also you'll be given assignments for framing, insulation (not all Habitat chapter allows volunteer for this one), sheet rocking, roofing (if allowed), painting, and many other more valuable parts of the construction on a home. Above all, you'll understand how contractors think and work, and you'll learn about their time frames. Ultimately, you'll learn how to deal with contractors better, and make sure they do the job on time and as requested.
Needless to say, a lot of RE professionals show up to Habitat, and it's a great place for networking.
2) Home Depot seminars
Check Home Depot's website for their free classes, and you'll find that your local Home Depot has something going on every Saturday. Did I say free? Yes! And they will teach you how to do small things like changing a faucet, to creating painting designs (for a featured wall), to big things as installing an irrigation system in your backyard, or a water heater system. Just like in Habitat, you can't beat free, and you can't beat saving money (because you'd pay someone to do these things for you in your REI). Plus, consider the networking opportunities. Maybe you'll find motivated sellers in Home Depot, trying to fix a few things up to sell their home.
3) Ask your contractor to teach you a couple of things while working at your house/rental/flip property. The construction workers won't mind giving you a couple of tips if you ask genuinely and honestly ask them to. In fact, they will be flattered to teach you, as long as you don't interrupt their work flow and become the reason why the job is taking longer.
4) Community College. For a cheap price (about $200 in my area) and 3 hours a week you can take a class in plumbing, or electrical. Now, this takes time away from your real job, investing. But doesn't it connect you with young future contractors or HVAC repair guys? How about with plumbers? Further, it gives you the knowledge to understand that YouTube video you watched and messed up the wiring job. You almost burned down your investment house for not understanding simple terms!! Some people learn better on an organized class structure, and such can mean a lot of money saved in the future.
I hope this post was helpful, it is my first thread I ever created here in PB.
Anyhow, those are some of my ideas. Do you have any other ideas you'd like to share on how to gain some DIY skills?