Comments on: "Her" Home Improvement

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:34:00 +0000

I’m sure I could just go look this up… but what *is* a “wonder bar” ?

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:51:00 +0000

If home improvement tools were to make a fashion statement, the Wonder Bar I got for Christmas wouldn’t even be able to be donated to charity as a “new or lightly used” item. I beat the HELL out of my tools…when I get to use them.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Aileen,
I think its good that women are getting more involved and breaking the stereotype. My wife sort of rolled her eyes when I told her about the pink hammers. Not that she doesn’t like pink, but she doesn’t think that home improvement tools are really a fashion statement either.

Awesome about your 10-year old helping with home improvement. It turns out that women tend to buy houses of their own earlier than men - so I think women actually *doing* much of the handywork is going to increase.

By: Aileen

Aileen — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:47:00 +0000

I have found that the general assumption is that women are not handy. Throughout our whole home inspection and “talking with contractors” process, the men have often asked me “is your husband handy”? Such an insult. I had to make the floor guy tell ME how to do the floor repairs. He just assumed I wasn’t wired that way. Such an insult.

My husband hates doing home repairs, but is cool with them for the moment as we’re saving lots of money. I will do what I’m capable of (painting, floor prep/repairs, wood refinishing, furniture repairs, vacumn cleaner repairs, caulking, etc.). I’m also the estimate gatherer, contractor interviewer, project researcher, site supervisor, work scheduler, supply procurement administrator, and other assorted things.

One quick story. When our handyman was remedying some active knot and tube wiring, he enlisted my 10 year old daughter to help fish the new wiring. It was one of my proudest Mama moments….that kid will never go hungry!

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:34:00 +0000

My wife has been willing to help and has helped with some things…unfortunately, though, with her pregnant the last 7.5 months, she really hasn’t helped that much over that period. But she’s always willing to learn.