A list is already starting to be compiled for little jobs this spring.
Home ownership demands maintenance, whether it is the roof, leaky taps, overgrown flowerbeds or outbuildings.
Winter is typically that time of year when hibernation mode kicks in and the mind starts to wander. This is where the lists begin.
Probably going on 15 years ago, we made shutters for both houses on the farm. At the time we viewed it as a cost-effective solution to the low maintenance, expensive plastic style on the market. The proverbial piper now must be paid, by taking them down, sanding each one and applying stain again. It isn’t as bad as it sounds and should last another decade or more.
There is a larger story to this handy work. Our brother-in-law was attending the University of Guelph at the time, and we thought it a good project to complete together. What limited skills we have were passed down.
It all started with rough-cut white pine barn board from Roger’s Sawmill just off Jones Baseline. They provided all the pine we used to renovate the old log house. Good, true material always makes projects easier.
At any rate we came up with a design idea and began cutting strips and lengths of wood for staining. That fresh pine soaks up the stain very well, so after a couple good coats, the materials were assembled. Another quick touch up and they were installed.
The satisfaction we had in the finished job was quickly countered with an observation by our erstwhile tradesman soon to become university graduate. Far too much work had gone into this – he would just hire someone if it were him. We talked a bit about the finances of it, and I noted quite a savings for a superior looking product.
It took some time for sure, but it was our time. Unconvinced and unwavering, were it his choice, hiring it done looked far more attractive.
Outsourcing the job was before the reality of working life snuck in. With the exception of today’s economic climate, most graduates back then expected to leave school, get an awesome job with which to shed all menial tasks and hire someone. The differential in pay made it a smarter bargain, assuming projects were expedited quickly.
Somewhere along the way, the math changed. Now, skilled tradespeople can expect to earn a decent wage. Granted, the work is hard and the hours are long. Economists and commentators will tend to circle back to pandemic times for this shift in labour cost.
While it did coincide with rampant inflation and retiring workers, the loss of tradespeople has been decades in the making. Clearly, we didn’t train enough people along the way.
A recent study points to the increased cost for consumers who long ago shed notions of doing work themselves.
Certainly, the pervasive attitude for educators at Centre Wellington District High School back in the 80s was trades were not the way of the future. It was okay for students who were not getting the best grades but were good with their hands to consider it, but anybody wanting to be somebody had to head to university or find white collar work.
Decades later, politicians of all stripes are talking about the need for skilled trades. Qualified labour is in sparse supply and we must wonder if part of that has to do with the “hire-a-guy” mentality that has emerged in the last two generations.
Tinkerers are rare these days. Having a parent, aunt or uncle with handy man skills isn’t as prevalent as it once was. Learn firsthand from neighbours or a family member that knows a thing or two.
There’s plenty of things to spiff up this spring.
