Can I pay someone to do DIY?!

[Kaloobear]

I realise this sounds ridiculous. We've seen some stuff in Ikea that we like-bookcases, doors, tv stand etc that all fit together and that would fill a wall in our living room. We were going to hire someone to custom build us shelves, cupboards etc but the Ikea stuff would be a lot cheaper. However, neither DH or I are any good at DIY, even just putting together flat pack, screwing stuff to the wall etc. To be honest we're not even any good at hanging paintings-I've been known to use a trainer as a hammer...

Could we hire someone to put it all together for us?! And in fact, come in and hang all our paintings and do all the DIY we're crap at/too lazy/scared of pulling down the house to do? And who would we ask? Not really a joiner, a builder or a decorator...does this job exist or am I living in a fairy tale?

(I wish we had some friends who liked DIY but unfortunately everyone we know is just as pathetic as we are in this regard.)

Course you can, they usually advertise in the local papers, if you are near Dorset then my DH is brilliant at this sort of thing.

HANDYMAN! I had forgotten such a person existed. Can you tell we are first time buyers?!

Sadly nowhere near Dorset-we're up North. Have been telling DH I wish I'd married someone with DIY nouse but looks like he's saved by Mumsnet

Why on earth not? Look in your local paper or newsagents' windows for those ads saying 'no job too small'. Or get a recommendation - that's the ideal.

Where are you Kaloo?

I think Ikea do an assembly service - I am sure I saw something in advertising the service last time I was instore!

I've been thinking we need a handyman for years now - all that's holding me back is my shame at the length of the list I'd hand him/her.

We're in the York/Leeds area. DH thinks it's insulting someone to ask them to put together Ikea furniture He thinks they won't consider it real work and won't want to do it. I think he's silly and a job's a job, and this is one we need someone else to do for us so there's no problem in paying for it...

He has got that 'you're so embarrassing face' on

I got someone to come and put together flat pack furniture for us when it had sat there in its boxes for about 6 weeks and I needed a wardrobe! Will look and see if I can find out who I used as am in the York area. Was through a website of some sort but the person who came was v good. Was very glad I did it.

Ooh thanks QED, a recommendation would be great. Can I ask roughly how much it cost you?

It's not insulting at all. We have one who comes to do all sorts, from big things like arranging a loft conversion to little things like putting together flatpack furniture and hanging pictures (which could be done without him but is something that always drops to the bottom of the to-do pile).

My parents' one even rescued me when I was home alone and couldn't reach to turn the mains water on (I wasn't allowed to use a ladder if there was no-one else around...). I thought he might find that mildly insulting, but he just found it very, very funny.

google 'flatpack man' and I bet you find someone in your area. It is a proper job, no need to feel embarrassed!

Look on the local for sale and wanted pages on Facebook. There are lots of talented practical people advertising their handyman skills. Most of them charge by the hour so if you have small jobs you can get a few things done during one visit.

ooo I love building flat pack

I can throw a Malm set of drawers together really quickly lol

Am trying to remember how mych it was (was about 18 months ago now I think about it). Was somewhere between £100 and about £150 I think for a large wardrobe and two chests of drawers. Will check through old emails and see if I can find anything. Vaguely think he was called Andy but not sure that's quite enough to go on

My DH is a "no job too small" handyman. He likes those kind of flat pack jobs as he can fit them in between school runs. We're in London so no good for you as we're in London but I'm sure there will be others in your area.

Sadly this man doesn't cover our area but I feel I must share him because he has the best website name ever

www.garyblackburntheflatpackman.co.uk/index.php?substance=painting

Look for flat pack assembly or handyman in local paper.
Or web like.
www.flatpackassemblers.co.uk/index.php

Havent you a friend whose DH would like to earn a few quid on a saturday or doesnt DH know someone at the pub? Failing that, local paper / parish mag / post office window. Get the word out, sure someone will jump at the chance. Perhaps not the best project to start on but get yourself a basic tool kit and drill and start having a go at things, you'll learn, save yourself cash and get great satisfaction .....says the single Mum!

We paid someone
When I moved we hired an electrician, a man and van, a handyman and someone who was fitting my new blinds. Easiest move I have ever done. Electrician doing light fittings and sorting tv, handyman putting up furniture
9hrs from collecting keys to everything down to sheets on beds being done. Utter bliss. I am up North too

Brighthair that's my kind of move

FlatCap we really don't-though I think even if we did it would be awkward to pay a friend. Maybe with beer!

I have a friend whose DH's entire business is assembling other people's flat-pack! Sadly they are not near you.

Hmm, if you lived closer to me I'd do it for a couple of bottles of wine. I LOVE putting Ikea stuff together. Are you sure you couldn't put the stuff together, honestly, it's easy! I did a whole kitchen in a couple of evenings in front of the TV a few years back.