Suddenly & unexpectedly separated. DH was very handy but there are unfinished projects around. How do I find someone to finish them off?!!

[mummybearSW19]

For example he started doing up DD10 bedroom in early January. It’s still a half completed project. Involving Ikea bits n bobs and some shelving.

boxes of bits are trip hazards all over my house and poor girl cannot use her bed as it’s covered with things that should go on the shelves when they go up!!!

where do you find a handy person to come round to complete those jobs, without being robbed?!

How about YouTubing it so you can DIY? Or, jointly doing it together with your dd? It might be good for bonding. Just a thought.
I'm a single mum and lone parent and i have learned to do lots from YT vids. DIY can be empowering and very good to teach our girls self reliance.

Sorry your DH left all those loose ends. That must feel like another let down for you and esp your dd. 💐🩷

Did he take his tools with him?

You can do it yourself. Quite frankly he should have finished what he started and he shouldn’t have left things all over the place.

If you can’t find someone then you need to pack up all the junk on the bed and put them in boxes so your daughter can sleep in her bed.

The last time I used a handy man was years ago and I found him from one of my friends on Facebook.

Yes it is very disappointing. Unfortunately we have got used to that I think

Try task rabbit?

ive seen this advertised on the tube. Have you used it?

What’s stopping you from looking up a local handyman?

If you’re on Facebook, local group pages will be full of people offering this type of service. Find a couple that other people have recommended and message them what you want doing to get some idea of cost.

But also don’t underestimate learning how to do things yourself…YouTube is great, and tools can be picked up really cheaply nowadays (middle at Lidl!) if you don’t have them. Since my separation I’ve learned all about drill bits and wall plugs, but I’ve also learned when a professional carpenter can do a brilliant job on something in a fraction of the time and stress it would take me!

Sounds like something you can manage yourself. Or get a handyman at about £40-50 an hour.
I don’t have a man but can do most things myself and am happy to buy in trades for the complex stuff. My ex was useless at this stuff anyway.

Assume this is a joke post on the back of recent “nobody has any practical skills posts anymore”

🙄 I’m sure there are things you can’t do that other people would think must be a joke.

If OP has never put shelves up before, and potentially not feeling at her most resilient and “can-do” right now, I can completely see why it might feel like an overwhelming “where do I start” type of job.
OP if you ask on a local fb group if anyone has handyman recommendations, that’s a good place to start.

Op I have used task rabbit as they partner with ikea. So if you buy an ikea item now and tick assembly they will send someone from task rabbit to do it

I found my handyman through one of the little magazines that still get put through our doors out here in the sticks. I have no desire to ruin my lovely little house with my attempts at DIY - I am not the world's most practical person.

But can't you clear your DDs bed for now and just put all the 'bits' somewhere else to make her room useable for the time being?

Is OP also incapable of clearing stuff off her daughter’s bed so she has somewhere to sleep?

Are you having a rabbit in the headlights problem?

I mean you move boxes somewhere less dangerous or chuck stuff out till you can ( since he must have taken some stuff with him , there is space )

you get another box for the stuff on the bed- where is she sleeping now?

then watch a few you tube videos, call in a mate or family member as support , and get the jobs finished

shelving really isn’t a problem

or you abandon the wall shelf idea and order some free standing form ikea ( ok that costs ) or ( cheaper ) free standing second hand shelves - a coat of paint at some point if the looks bother you

Thanks for this info I genuinely never realised this but now I know I might buy more from Ikea.

Start building up a list of trades you might need to call upon in future.

I have a plumber, electrician, boiler man, garden help, garage man, and decorator all on speed dial.

if you live alone and find a trade person you get along with, keep their number in your phone. Start future proofing your single life.

If you have the next door app, that can be a good way to get local recommendations. I found my fabulous cleaner on there. Otherwise check-a-trade is a good place to search for local handymen. Also if you are on good terms with the neighbours, ask them who they use for these kinds of jobs.

I will say though, a lot of jobs are easier than they look, and there are millions of youtube videos out there to walk you through how to do simple DIY. Just because your DH always used to do those jobs (although not very well by the sounds of it) doesn't mean you can't learn, and teach your daughter too. I've found it very empowering learning to do jobs around the house for myself.

By the time you find someone willing to do a little diy job, you’re better off learning yourself. We have a local share and repair library that loans tools for DIY so you don’t even have to own any tools.

Exactly this.

I am likely to have a visit from social services so my house needs to be presentable.

I have limited time. I have kids. A job.

And am in shock.
So yes. I need people in my life right now that can get shit done, done quickly and well.

in the future when the circumstance are less fraught I am sure I can learn how to pick up tools and do jobs around the house.

But not this week. .

I used Task Rabbit to help DD set up her Ikea furniture in her new rental miles away from where we live. They were ace.

I got a handyman off the next door app. They always ask for a full days work so make sure you have enough work for a full day. It sounds like you do.

If you have task rabbit in your area, that’s definitely going to be your easiest and quickest route to getting stuff done. You can see reviews and rates before you choose who you want to do the job. I’ve had good experiences with them.
good luck!

Oh! I thought that was a sex toy...

😂😂