Many of my skills are best demonstrated by personal projects.
I’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars through DIY projects, while developing manual skills that apply in surprising contexts.
These projects represent experience determining dependencies, managing budgets, and working with vendors. They also express my drive to do things the right way.
I built a fence on my property with the help of household members. This required researching local legal codes and budgeting in addition to basic woodworking skills and teamwork. It was cheaper to buy an air compressor and nail gun and other specialized tools than it was to hire a contractor. Total saved: $10,000-12,000
I’m interested in 3D modelling in printing. I find it can solve a lot of small, organizational problems around the house, such as: how to attach a lampshade to a lamp base with the wrong kind of attachment.
Problem: Not enough storage in the house. Solution: custom storage tower. I built this alone. I took into consideration the need for sewer line access: bicycles hang in the open space on the right but can be removed if plumbers need access.
I didn’t plan to re-tile my bathroom, but a plumbing catastrophe resulted in having my bathroom floor torn out. I worked with the insurance company and the remodeling contractors to ensure I was allowed to install my own floor and re-install trim and the vanity, and that the budgets for those tasks went to me rather than the contractors. Both companies were great to work with, and I got a much nicer floor out of a bad situation. This project also required some research into materials and managing risk and changes in plans.
Total saved: $1,500
I’ve remodeled several rooms in the houses I’ve owned. This may be the lowest budget remodel with the biggest impact. The wallpaper in the bathroom was hiding a lot of wall damage, and I was split on repairing the plaster or having it replaced. Ultimately I was able to patch and repair. I primed everything with mold-inhibiting primer and made this bathroom safer for the future. When I’m the one doing it, I make sure it’s done right, for myself and for the future of the structure I’m preserving and improving.
Total saved: $10,000
