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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Door Hanging - WWYD

22 replies

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 15:25

I'm not sure what to do, it's not the worlds biggest deal but I just can't decide - so what do you think?

We bought our house 2 years ago as a full renovation job and have been working on it ever since with the help of my DF. We have done lots and I've learned a lot. We've worked each room at a time as it's been quite a big job to do around full time work.

At this point we've done the kitchen, living room, dining room, conservatory, my son's bedroom, and the bathroom. We are close to finishing the little bedroom which will be the baby's room (due May) and we've also decided to do our bedroom before the baby arrives which leaves only the hallway/landing/stairs to do at a later date (inside anyway, there's plenty left outside to work on!).

What I'm stuck on in my head is the doors. I hung the doors for my son's room, the living room and the kitchen. They were all different but from the same range. Son's door is solid panelled wood, living room has glass panels and kitchen is a bi-fold door with glass panels. I've got the door for the dining room but I've not managed to motivate myself to hang it. I started the bathroom door (also bi-fold) and my DF kindly finished it for me, but he's not done a great job and it now won't close fully so I'm going to have to take it down again and do it myself anyway.

So by the time we've done the baby's room and our room I'm now basically going to have 4 doors to hang. I'm 29 weeks pregnant now and the thought of having to faff about planing down 4 doors, chiselling, drilling, lifting etc does not fill me with happiness. My DH says he will help me but he's not great at the whole DIY thing and his help is often more of a hindrance.

So I'm tempted to get a carpenter to come and do them for me. It would be so nice, but it's also money that I could be saving for my mat leave. Should I just suck it up and do it myself? I've got the tools, I know I can do it. I don't even have a clue how much a carpenter would charge. Maybe it would be too much anyway?

One other thing to consider is that I've made a plan of what we need to do every weekend for the next 6 weeks to get both bedrooms done before baby arrives and it does not include hanging doors so I don't even know when I would do it anyway. Maybe I should just live carefree and doorless?

OP posts:

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 22/02/2018 15:28

Just pay for it. You'll feel so much better if you don't have to do it. Also, with a list like you have, you can't be adding another day or so's work.

Angryosaurus · 22/02/2018 15:29

Save it for maternity leave

TheQueef · 22/02/2018 15:30

Get a joiner in for half a day to do the finishing.
You will be glad for it.

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 15:41

Ooh so far it's 2:1 in favour of paying someone.

Thing is, I know it's more like a day's job per door for me to do it as I have to factor in keeping my son entertained, and being slow as I'm big and pregnant. I bet a carpenter would make much lighter work of it.

Maybe I could just call someone for a quote and see? I feel like I'm being a failure by not doing it myself.

OP posts:

KittyKK · 22/02/2018 15:49

Pay for a carpenter and rest. I’m a couple of weeks ahead of you and find it exhausting just running around the park!! Well done for doing so much of the renovation yourself

hiddenmnetter · 22/02/2018 15:50

My second fix carpenter planed fitted and hung 6 doors in one day. So one door should be like an hour/1.5 hours work..I'd see if you can find someone to quote for the specific job. It's a quick job for a professional.

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 15:54

6 doors in a day! That's it, I'm getting some quotes. I don't need these door shenanigans in my life!

I just need to make sure I don't let myself feel bad, I did spend yesterday evening wallpapering the feature wall in the baby's bedroom, and I'm going to lay the carpet at the weekend so I'll just try and remind myself of that...

OP posts:

TheQueef · 22/02/2018 15:56

Where roughly are you?

Oop north, a Joiner for hanging doors or architrave/skirting will charge -:

35-40 £ per door normal door. Skirts £50 per room.
If they are heavy wood and are a two man job they do add an extra £20 per job.

It's more for a carpenter but they do more specialist stuff like building cabinets or worktops.

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 15:59

I'm 'down south' so probably a bit more. It's going to sting paying for something I could do in my usual non pregnant state, but I can cheer myself up by opening and closing all the doors I've not broken my back by hanging!

OP posts:

namechange2222 · 22/02/2018 16:00

I've used an ( very good) odd job man to hang doors very well. I don't think it needs to be a joiner

HelenUrth · 22/02/2018 16:01

If there's any building going on nearby maybe pop over & see if one of the chippies might be interested?

HotCrossBunFight · 22/02/2018 16:05

Pay for it. Gosh you don't need to be lugging doors around!

TheQueef · 22/02/2018 16:07

Honestly it's worth it Sheepy they work really fast and efficiently.
Plus you can pick up tips steal screwdrivers

My plasterer is a sight to behold. He used to be a graffiti artist in the 80's so it's like parkour + wizardry.

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 16:24

Haha that made me laugh @TheQueef !
I swear every tradesman I've had do work for me has left at least one tool hanging around, sometimes helpful (like a Stanley knife), sometimes unwanted (like a dirty bucket).

Thanks everyone, It will be really nice just to get it done. I think I needed someone else to tell me it was a good idea.

OP posts:

MacaroniPenguin · 22/02/2018 21:03

Ah good, my work here has already been done. It's really not a job to do with a significant bump. Far too much hoiking and bending. The thought makes me feel a bit ill.

Angryosaurus · 22/02/2018 21:17

Obviously just me that wished I'd saved more for my second maternity leave with a preschooler to keep entertained

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 22/02/2018 22:15

You're right in a way @angry but also, I don't think I'm going to have any doors at this rate.

My MIL has now offered to pay for something else that was going to cost us £400 so that makes it much easier. (I know, a nice MIL. Don't see that often on MN).

OP posts:

MiaowTheCat · 23/02/2018 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MacaroniPenguin · 23/02/2018 09:07

Or maybe Angry you are much more skilled at door fitting than the rest of us. To me it's a horrible fiddly job and OP's up to her eyeballs in other work on top. There are only so many hours until the baby arrives!!

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 23/02/2018 13:38

I did it! I've booked someone to come in 2 weeks and hang the doors

It feels pretty good knowing I don't have to do it, thank you everyone x

OP posts:

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 23/02/2018 20:42

Well done. Now will you book someone to paint my skirting boards that I've been putting off for 3 years?

Original poster

SleepySheepy · 23/02/2018 23:32

Come on @JohnLapsleyParlabane i want you to report back that you've booked someone! I've done it, your turn...

OP posts:

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