Got my gate bolt fixed at last

@Asylum (47893)

Manchester, England

January 26, 2018 10:40am CST

A few months ago I had a new fence built to separate the front and rear gardens. However, it did not take long for the bolt to become damaged, thus making it impossible to keep closed. Despite being a very simple job, I am unable to affix a new bolt in my present condition. Another problem was that the job was too small for most companies to bother with. Finally I tried an online site that was recommended to me, where I made contact with a fairly local handyman. To my delight he arrived today and my new bolt is now fitted. It is surprising how even basic things like this can become major obstacles at times.

24 people like this

24 responses

@LadyDuck (471497)

• Switzerland

26 Jan 18

I am glad that you had the bolts fixed. It s sometimes more difficult to find someone to do small jobs that a major repair. I also have a wooden fence that is damaged and need some repairs, it seems it costs less to remove the wooden fence and to replace it with a ready made one.

6 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

I was determined to avoid a company because the cost would have been unrealistic.

4 people like this

@LadyDuck (471497)

• Switzerland

26 Jan 18

@Asylum This is the problem with companies, they charge unrealistic prices.

4 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

@LadyDuck Exactly. I still paid £30 for a simple job, but he had to travel to do the work and probably had to pay a fee to the website. He did a decent job so it was good value to me. A large company would no doubt add numerous bizarre item costs.

3 people like this

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@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Jan 18

Being out of town as we are it can be even harder to get someone willing to come out for small jobs. Luckily we can still do a lot of small repairs ourselves. But I hear what you are saying.

6 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

During the last 7 or 8 months I have become incapable of the easiest of jobs, which can be both problematic and embarrassing.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Jan 18

@Asylum We find we are needing help with the heavier tasks. It's amazing how helpful a bit of physics knowledge can be - pulleys and fulcrums and all that jazz.

5 people like this

Paula Tranchina

@Ganma7 (3664)

•

8 Feb 18

@Asylum Very difficult

2 people like this

@rebelann (112870)

• El Paso, Texas

26 Jan 18

It isn't surprising to me, I can do a lot of my yard work but am a total idiot if I tried to do something like putting in a lock or whatnot, it's just not in my nature. Finding a handy man to help with those small jobs I can't do is not easy and I've yet to find one. You are definitely lucky to have found one.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

I agree and shall keep his telephone number for future reference

2 people like this

@rebelann (112870)

• El Paso, Texas

26 Jan 18

That is a really good idea @Asylum hey, can I give him mine?? He'd only have to hop a plane to get here

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

@rebelann Planes are very difficult to hop onto because you need both legs to climb those boarding ladders.

2 people like this

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@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

30 Jan 18

Things like that defeat me as well, and my husband has never been a handyman. Glad you got it fixed.

3 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

30 Jan 18

So am I because it seemed as though it would be like that forever.

2 people like this

@andriaperry (116936)

• Anniston, Alabama

26 Jan 18

I agree, sometimes its hard, Tony just commented on how he was not able to shower himself a few months ago to now getting in and out of a tub. Chemo is so evil and good at the same time.

4 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

Chemotherapy can be quite harsh, but I find that radiotherapy affected me more.

4 people like this

@Kandae11 (54997)

•

26 Jan 18

Isn't it great that one can go online and find someone who can do those simple tasks for us

There is a door to my apartment which refuses to open - it has been like that for over six months. I think it is high time that I find a locksmith to open it and change the locks.

5 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

26 Jan 18

I was actually reluctant to try online, but got a response within 30 minutes from a suitable handyman. Otherwise I would still be in need of help six months from now.

2 people like this

@KrauseHome (36448)

• United States

3 Feb 18

Glad you were able to find someone and get it fixed. One less worry for you.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

4 Feb 18

Oddly enough it was beginning to prey on my mind. Strange how such minor things can bother us at times.

1 person likes this

@shaggin (72131)

• United States

27 Jan 18

That is just so frustrating that bigger companies won’t bother with smaller low paying jobs! I am glad you finally found someone to fix it for you! Anytime I need work done on my home it is so hard to find someone as well.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

28 Jan 18

Yes, everyone wants the big jobs but not the basic tasks that all homes encounter.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

28 Jan 18

@shaggin Windows are the easiest for me because a friend of mine runs his own windows business.

2 people like this

@shaggin (72131)

• United States

28 Jan 18

@Asylum It took me 2 years to find someone to put new windows in my daughters room then another year or two to get someone to put the trim around the windows and her room.

2 people like this

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Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

28 Jan 18

@Asylum glad you got it sorted out ok

2 people like this

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

28 Jan 18

@arthurchappell A few weeks ago I may have agreed, but now I have alternating good and bad days.

3 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

28 Jan 18

So am I because it was a constant reminder of how useless I have become.

2 people like this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

28 Jan 18

@Asylum it must be frustrating but hopefully your strength will return in time

2 people like this

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@garymarsh6 (23404)

• United Kingdom

14 Feb 18

These small jobs that big companies wont tackle are mainly what people need help with. It would keep a small one man outfit busy for quite some time. I am pleased you were able to get it sorted Barry,

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

14 Feb 18

I agree and expect that there are many people who would have difficulty with such jobs.

2 people like this

@moffittjc (121581)

• Gainesville, Florida

6 Feb 18

Wow, I remember you talking about that bolt a while ago! I'm glad you were finally able to get it fixed.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

6 Feb 18

So am I because it was becoming a real annoyance.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

10 Feb 18

@moffittjc This is so true, as soon as one problem is solved you notice others.

2 people like this

@moffittjc (121581)

• Gainesville, Florida

10 Feb 18

@Asylum Now that the gate is fixed, you can focus your attention on something else around the house that has become a real annoyance!

2 people like this

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@Jeanniemaries (8237)

• United States

31 Jan 18

I run into that all the time. There are plumbers, gardeners, electricians but who does odd little jobs? Some things I have had just to learn to live with. When I came home this time my front door is sticking. I don't have a local woodworker!

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

31 Jan 18

That kind of job is a real nuisance and would cost a fortune for a company to fix.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

1 Feb 18

@Jeanniemaries Quite possibly and a little oil in the lock may help.

2 people like this

@Jeanniemaries (8237)

• United States

31 Jan 18

@Asylum Hopefully it's just because it wasn't opened for 9 months and over time it will get back to normal. It's better than it was the first day.

2 people like this

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@Gita17112016 (3611)

• Trinidad And Tobago

31 Jan 18

I am presuming that you are 'ill' not being aware what your 'present condition' is. And yes, your observation is right. It is so hard to get a handyman to to come do something small. Glad it worked out okay. The tower bolt in our bathroom broke and my brother still haven't got the time to fix it. (he really is busy). It has been three months now. But only my niece and I are the only people upstairs in the house so we use a makeshift gallon of water to keep the door close.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

31 Jan 18

You are correct, I have stage 4 cancer. This has resulted in having 12 sessions of chemotherapy and 10 sessions of radiotherapy over previous months, which has helped but has left me quite useless in some ways.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Feb 18

@Gita17112016 Mine was stage 4 cancer, which is seriously advanced. As a result the simplest of jobs become formidable.

1 person likes this

@Gita17112016 (3611)

• Trinidad And Tobago

7 Feb 18

@Asylum I was diagnosed with stage -- something ...cancer (I could never remember the stage, but it is the very least... or early stages). Fortunately, I never had treatment ...just did the biopsies and MRI. Then I tried an alternative medicine thingy and then no cancer. But I have put on some serious weight which leaves me pretty useless too. I have many handyman skills but I can no longer do them. Sadly.

2 people like this

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Paula Tranchina

@Ganma7 (3664)

•

8 Feb 18

I understand. Handymen are hard to find. The smaller jobs are very hard to get done. Glad you found someone

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Feb 18

I was almost giving up hope of getting the job done.

1 person likes this

Paula Tranchina

@Ganma7 (3664)

•

8 Feb 18

@Asylum I get it believe me. Have had issues myself.

1 person likes this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)

• China

3 Feb 18

You finally got it sorted out. Nowadays we seem to increasingly resort to online site.For the handyman,this job was a doddle.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

3 Feb 18

It would be difficult to find a handyman without using the internet these days.

2 people like this

@Madshadi (8840)

• Brussels, Belgium

2 Feb 18

It’s good that you managed to get it fixed. I hope those handymen aren’t expensive where you live

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

2 Feb 18

They are far cheaper than a company would be.

2 people like this

@jstory07 (139697)

• Roseburg, Oregon

3 Feb 18

Sometimes the easiest things are hard to get done. It makes sense to me. No big company wants to be bothered with small jobs.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

3 Feb 18

Exactly my problem, so I was delighted to find someone. Now I shall keep his telephone number for future use.

1 person likes this

@Inlemay (17713)

• South Africa

2 Feb 18

that is progress - wow its been a while that it was broken.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

2 Feb 18

Yes it has an after a while you start to expect that it will stay that way.

2 people like this

@Marilynda1225 (82778)

• United States

30 Jan 18

I always said it would be a good idea for a company to specialize in small jobs. Guess it isn't profitable for them, I have often had small jobs that needed to be done and couldn't find anyone to do it.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

30 Jan 18

This is sure to be a problem for many people.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (26680)

• Singapore

2 Feb 18

I am good at only the basics and thankfully I have access to couple of handymen - siva

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

2 Feb 18

My biggest problem was that the screws were not straight, so they were difficult to remove.

2 people like this