DIY: When you can't expect proper service from professionals

The contractor promised everything we asked him to do but most things left to be done by ourselves since we could not wait. Certain things were favours, so we could not expect too much. But why then promised to do?

A new lock for the TNB meter cover which could be changed by myself but without the right spanner, was given to my wife on her trip to PJ. A month later, when asked, it was given to the contractor but not done. I could have done it but he is still having the lock! Two metal cabinets (eyesores) which were to be painted white (to make them less so) had to be painted by myself.

A plumber was asked to drill some holes and fix some fittings in the bathrooms. But even a professional broke two wall tiles while doing so. If it had been me, I would have been blamed for not being able to some simple DIY jobs without creating more problems. So I was lucky in that sense.

As I have mentioned before, it is not just having to pay more to professionals for certain tasks which could be done by ourselves, but the need to be present when they are working at them.

Mary Schneider's experience with asking somebody to re-charge her car battery seemed like more trouble having asked a so-called professional to do so. A word of caution with the seemingly simple task of disconnecting and re-connecting a car battery. Certain cars require specific steps to prevent disruption to the electronically controlled fuel system. A friend's Proton Waja had its battery changed by a professional, yet the car had to be sent to Proton to re-tune the engine!

Mary Schneider's Service with a snarl in The Star:
http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=butthenagain&file=/2011/9/26/columnists/butthenagain/9553729&sec=But%20Then%20Again
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